Black Bear was across the mountain, but a messenger was sent at once
for him, and he was told to bring another trusty Indian along. Within
two days from reaching Greenway Court the party was ready to start.
Lord Fairfax saw George set off, in high health and spirits, and full
of restrained enthusiasm. He wore the buckskin shirt and leggings of a
huntsman to make the journey in, but in his saddle-bags was a fine new
major’s uniform of the provincial army, and he carried the rapier given
him many years before by Lord Fairfax.
Seven days’ hard travelling, at the beginning of the wintry season,
brought the party to Logstown, not far from what is now Pittsburg.
The journey had been hard, snow having fallen early, and, the fords
being swollen, the party were obliged to swim their horses across the
mountain streams. But George had not found time heavy on his hands.
Captain Vanbraam and Lance discovered that they had served in different
campaigns in the same region, and, without forgetting the status
between an officer and a private soldier, they were extremely good
comrades, much to George’s delight.
On their arrival at Logstown, Black Bear at once went in search of
his father, the great chief of one of the Six Nations, and the other
chiefs were assembled in the course of a day or two. George found them
much incensed against the French, but, like all their tribe, before
they could act they had to have many meetings and a great oratorical
display. George, who loved not speech-making, made them but one brief
address, and by using all his powers managed to get Tanacharison and
representatives of the other tribes off, and in a few days more they
arrived at a French outpost. It was merely a log-house with the French
colors flying over it. George, waiting until dusk, and leaving his
Indian allies out of sight, taking only with him Vanbraam and Lance,
as his servant, rode up to the door and knocked. Three French officers
appeared, and, on seeing two gentlemen in uniform, the senior, Captain
Joncaire, civilly asked them, in broken English, to alight and sup with
them.
George, with equal politeness, told them that he was the bearer of a
letter to M. de St. Pierre, the commandant at the French fort farther
up, but would be pleased to accept their hospitality.
Inside the house was quite comfortable, and the party, except Lance,
who waited on the table, soon sat down to supper. As George had
frankly informed them of his mission, it behooved them to be prudent,
and so they were until the wine began to flow. Captain Vanbraam had
not thought it his duty to let on that he understood French, and the
conversation had been conducted in such English as the French could
command. George, although he could not speak French, could understand
it a little, especially with the help of the abundant gestures the
French used.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account