"Hurrah, we are to move at last!" he cried. "Major Grant is ordered ahead with eight hundred men, and our company is to go with the body."
"Only eight hundred," returned Barringford. "Thet ain't many. Kind o' a scoutin' party, I reckon."
Yet, he too was glad to make a movement of any kind, and prepared at once for the departure. Two days later the command was on the road, those left behind wishing them the best of success.
The English were still many miles from Fort Duquesne when the French scouts brought word to their commander that the enemy were approaching. Without waiting to be attacked the French marched forth to do the approaching English battle.
"The fight is on!" cried Dave, as several shots rang out from in front. "We are in for it now!"
"Well, we came to fight," answered Henry. "And the sooner the battle is over the better."
The real battle, however, did not take place until the next day. Then the French did their best to surround the English, and in a short while the contest waxed hot on all sides. Part of the battleground was a small opening and the rest of the fighting took place in the forest. Soon the smoke became so thick that but little could be seen on either side.
"Tell ye wot, them Frenchers mean business!"
