“With ammunition, and food?”
“Ample to eat, so far as I know, but Boisrondet tells me with scarce a dozen rounds per man. The Iroquois are at the gates, and will attack at daylight.”
“You know this?”
“The signs are plain. We passed one party clambering up the cliff––no less than fifty warriors, naked and painted for war. Tuscaroras, Madame said from the words she overheard as they slipped past where we hid. ’Tis not likely they made reconnoissance alone. The fiends have been a week in this valley, and have swept all clear of our Indian allies; now they can bring their full force against the fort.”
“No doubt you are right.”
“’Twas my judgment, at least, and we sought help when we ran into you. What Indians have you?”
“Illini, mostly, with a handful of Miamis and Kickapoos. We met them at the crossing, hiding in 373 the hills. They were sadly demoralized, and filled with horror at what they had seen, yet agreed to return here under my leadership.”
“Who is their chief?”
“Old Sequitah––you know him?”
“Ay, a real warrior. ’Tis better than I dared hope, for I have been in battle with him before. Do you number a hundred?”