“I only know that the man called Hester was the man Polcher used in communicating with Major Tonpit. Hester took orders from Polcher. He left Jonesboro the night the Tonpits set out. The settlers have long believed he is mixed up with Red Hajason. If he is, why not Polcher, his master? I had supposed he went to guide the Tonpits to you, taking the place of the dead Creek. I was surprised to find no trace of the Tonpits on my journey here. Red Hajason had their horses. It must follow he has the Tonpits. Polcher’s a bad one. You’re foolish to trust him.”
“He’s always been humble enough,” muttered McGillivray.
“Humble? Why, he considers himself to be a better man than you, Alexander McGillivray,” laughed Sevier. “And a better man than Tonpit. In Jonesboro he played the part of tavern-keeper and played it well. But, harkee, McGillivray of the Creeks, you’ve had dealings with no man as crafty as he. Show him an advantage in taking your head in a basket to any State capital, and he’ll try for the reward.”
“His ambitions fly above a money reward. He seeks a high position under——in the new order of Western affairs. Yet what you tell me looks bad.” And he sighed as if weary from continued disappointments. “I’ve depended so much on Major Tonpit.”
He blew his whistle, this time but once, and two men entered. Speaking to them in the Creek tongue, he directed:
“You will start immediately for Great Hiwassee and learn if Red Hajason has brought horses there.” Then to Sevier, “Describe the animals.” Sevier did so, and the description was repeated to the men. “You will find out where Red Hajason is now. One of you will return to me with what you have learned. The other shall remain until he has seen John Watts. Ask him in my name if he knows anything about the white man called John Tonpit, and about the white girl, Tonpit’s daughter. This gives you my voice.”
And he slipped a curiously carved ring from his finger and handed it to the elder of the two men.
As they withdrew he said to Sevier:
“We’ll drop it until I receive word from Hiwassee. I admit part of the blame for my Creek’s death. Let that go by. I want to talk with you as friend to friend.
“You imagine me to be a blind tool of Spain’s. You couldn’t make a greater mistake. I hold and intend to hold this Southern country. I welcome Spain so long as Charles III helps me to strengthen my grip on it. Spain knows that if she tries unfairness with me she loses what she now holds. Spain has fleets and needs the fur trade. Her day has passed in Europe. What she gets she must get over here. She will pay well for what she gets. We have something to sell. She is willing to buy. What is there wrong in that?