“We must get away from here as soon as possible,” cried George. “What have you noticed in the fort, Lance?”
“That it’s mighty well made, sir; the mounseers are fine engineers, and they know how to build a fort. They have eight six-pounders mounted in the bastions, and a four-pounder at the gate-house. But they have got a lot more places pierced for guns, and you may depend upon it, sir, they have a-plenty more guns than they choose to show stowed away somewhere.”
Next morning, Captain Reparti having arrived, M. de St. Pierre and his officers considered the governor’s letter privately, and then, admitting George, with his interpreter, Captain Vanbraam, an answer was dictated denying the right of the English to any part of the country watered by the Ohio River. This was an important and dangerous announcement, and, although not a word was said about war, yet every man present knew that if this contention were maintained England and France must fight, and the country must be drenched with blood. George, with perfect composure, received the letter, and, rising, said:
“My mission, sir, is accomplished. I have delivered the governor’s letter, and your reply, M. de St. Pierre, shall be conveyed not only to the governor but to his Britannic majesty. I am now ready to take my leave.”
“Do not be in so great a hurry to leave us, Major Washington,” said M. de St. Pierre, suavely. “Some of my young officers promised a few guns to your Indian allies, by way of making them satisfied to remain during our negotiation, which I thought would be longer, and the guns cannot arrive until to-morrow morning.”
As George knew the impossibility of getting the Indians off without the guns, he consented with the utmost readiness to remain; but he would have given half his fortune to have got off.
The day was one of intense nervous strain on him. His sole dependence in managing the Indians were Tanacharison and Black Bear. And what if they should betray him? But at night the old chief and his son came to him and promised most solemnly to get the chiefs away as soon as the guns should arrive in the morning. George had a luxurious bed in his rude though comfortable quarters, but he slept not one wink that night. By daylight he was up. Soon after Lance sidled up to him in the courtyard, and said:
“Sir, the guns have come—I saw them myself; but the Frenchies will not say a word about it unless they are asked.”
Just then M. de St. Pierre, wrapped in a great surtout, appeared, coming out of his quarters.
“Good-morning, Major Washington!” he cried.