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266 many campaigns. He had under him a force of about six hundred soldiers—trained veterans who could boast of more than one victory. Up to a short while before, there had been other soldiers in this vicinity, but not dreaming of an attack—for his Indian spies had this time failed him—the French officer had allowed these to depart—to Venango and other trading posts, and to several of the nearby Indian villages. It was mid-summer, and traders and Indians hated to do military duty when they could bring down game and make trades.