“He is not the Washington of the company. His brother who is sick is captain of the company,” said Scarouady. “This Washington is young, but I can see that he says little, and when he speaks he speaks like a man.”
“If his brother is sick, this Washington may be sent to build the big house.”
“A treaty must be made with the Onondago council,” said Scarouady. “If the French own the lakes they own the waters that flow into the lakes, but the Iroquois and the English own the waters of the Ohio. That has been agreed. The English may build their big houses, with guns, there, and trade, but they may not settle the lands, for the Indians wish to live on the lands.”
And neither Scarouady nor Robert knew that the Ohio Company of Virginia and England had been given by the King five hundred thousand acres of lands upon the Ohio, to settle with families. Of this Christopher Gist said nothing. His business now was to examine the lands and bear messages of friendship from Virginia to the Indians.
“What of the Washington I have seen?” Scarouady asked Gist, as still they travelled. “You know him?”
“I know him,” Christopher Gist answered. “In years he is a youth, in mind a man. His home is in the woods. For three years he has been traveling about, marking lands. He is the son of a widow.”
“Was his father a chief?”
“His father was not a chief, I think; but was a warrior very strong. Now this youth is being taught by that old man Fairfax, who is a great chief and councillor.”
“What of his brother who is sick?” asked Scarouady. “He is a chief?”