After quickly securing Tiberius’s reins to a post, Arran rushed up the ladder into the watchtower, James on his heels.
“Here.” Ben handed Arran a spyglass the moment he stood at the top of the tower. He pointed to a distant location, which washard to see with the naked eye. “They’re approaching from the west and headed a bit north.”
Arran frowned. “Why would they be heading north?”
Ben shrugged while Arran placed the spyglass to his eye. They were a blip on the prairie, but with the glass he could make out at least fifty riders. From where Arran stood, it appeared to be a band of Indians—but were they friend or foe?
It didn’t make any sense. They were expecting Cuthbert Grant and the Bois-Brûlés—why would Indians be on the move?
“Aye.” Arran nodded and handed the spyglass to James. “They’re heading north of here.”
Semple appeared outside his house, West close behind. They ran across the fort yard toward the tower.
“Let’s meet Semple below,” Arran said to James. “We should be able to see the riders from the fort gate, just as easily as up here.”
Arran and James made their way to the ground as Semple and West, along with about two dozen other men, gathered near the fort gate. Archie Currie and Angus Ferguson were among the familiar faces.
“What’s happening?” Semple asked Arran.
“It appears to be a band of Indians, from what I can tell,” Arran said.
James handed the spyglass over to the governor. “They’re heading to the north and east.”
Archie and another company man, John Burke, opened the western gate. Everyone followed Semple, who lifted the spyglass to his eye, his mouth hanging open slightly as he studied the riders. When he took the glass away, he frowned. “I cannot begin to guess why Indians would be riding so close to the fort, and at such a speed.”
“Perhaps they are chasing buffalo?” West offered helpfully.
“Not the right season,” Arran said, “or so close to the fort.”
“It doesn’t look like they intend to attack, at any rate.” Semple closed the spyglass. “But I think we had better take a group of men and meet up with them to see what they are about.”
“They’re making to the settlers!” Ben called down to them from where he remained in the lookout tower. “And the settlers are running this way!”
Semple fumbled to put the spyglass up to his eye again. “The boy’s right. It looks like they’ve shifted course just a bit.”
“Do you think the Bois-Brûlés have incited the Indians against us?” Angus Ferguson asked.
“We will not know until we speak to them.” Semple nodded decisively. “We need to make all haste to intercept them and see what they want.”
Did Semple expect to reason with them? If they had been hired by the Bois-Brûlés to make war against the settlement, there would be no talking to them.
Semple addressed the men standing near. “I would like about two dozen men who are willing to go, the rest must stay to defend the fort. Who will go with me?”
At least twenty men raised their hands—including West.
“Let’s be on our way, then.” Semple started toward the barn, where the horses were waiting.
West began to follow, but Arran put his hand on the minister’s shoulder. “I dinna think you should ride along with us.”
William West turned to face Arran, a frown wedged between his eyebrows. “Do you not think I’m capable?”
“It’s not a matter of your ability.” Arran nodded toward the governor’s house. “You should stay behind to help protect the women and children.”
“Governor Semple wishes to speak with these men,” West said calmly. “I may not be a man of war, but I do have a way with words. If anyone should help the governor reason with these brigands, then it should be me.”
“I think you’d be better suited here, with Eleanor and Miriam. We dinna ken if this is a ploy to get the best men out of the fort, so Cuthbert Grant can attack from a different direction. We will need able-bodied men to stay and defend the fort.”
“Then perhaps you should stay.” West was not a bold man, neither was he loud or brash, but steel filled his countenance now, and he would not be persuaded. “I know where I am best suited. Semple will need my help for negotiations, if it comes to that.”
