but being over ruled was resolved to make the most I could of a wrong head . . the Virginians who are able to march . . might advance as far forward upon Braddock's road as to that part of it which is most contiguous to our second deposite, which I think might be about Saltlick Creek . . The using of Braddock's road I have always had in mind was it only a blind—pray lose no time as that does not oblidge us to march, before we see proper."
Forbes alone realized that despatch was not to be, necessarily, the secret of the success of his campaign, though he had urged Bouquet to hasten the roadmaking as fast as possible. He had his eyes fixed elsewhere than on the Allegheny ranges; he knew the Indians at Fort Duquesne were weary of the listless campaign; that Bradstreet had been sent against Fort Frontenac (which, if captured, would shut Fort Duquesne completely off from Quebec); that by the first of September a hundred Indians were already gathered at Easton ready for a treaty; that the brave Post was now among the Delawares bringing the final opportunity for them to abandon the
