"Under the circumstances you could not object with much resolution," remarked Washington.
"I didn't, but surrendered without parleying," replied Ward; "and we were allowed to march out bearing our arms and all our tools."
"This is a declaration of war," remarked Washington, "and we must govern ourselves accordingly."
He called his officers together for consultation, and said to them:
"The French have now invaded the frontier of the Colony, and as I construe my instructions from the government, it is my duty to march forward to meet the invaders."
"Without reinforcements from Colonel Fry?" anxiously inquired one of his officers.
"No. We can march to the mouth of Red Stone Creek, which is thirty-seven miles above the fort captured by the French, there throw up defences, and await the arrival of reinforcements."
A messenger was posted away to Colonel Fry, while the army took up the line of march to Red Stone Creek, where it hastily intrenched and awaited reinforcements.
About the 1st of May, Captain Stevens arrived with his company of fifty men. Colonel Fry remained at his post to complete arrangements and bring up supplies; but he suddenly died, so that Washington was forced to act as commander-in-chief.