We promised to one named Compass, 500 black wampum, and Mr. Hays gave him a shirt and a dollar, on which he promised to go. We sent him as a messenger, By a string of wampum I spoke these words, "Brethren, consider the messengers are come home with good news, and three of your brethren, the English, with them. We desire you would pity your own young men, women and children, and use no hardships towards the captives, as having been guiding our party."
Afterwards the warriors informed us, that their design had not been to go to war, but that they had a mind to go to the general and speak with him; and on the road the French made a division among them, that they could not agree; after which they were discovered by the Cherokees and Catawbas, who fled, and left their bundles, where they found an English colour. So Kekeuscung told them he would go before them to the general, if they would follow him; but they would not agree to it; and the French persuaded them to fall upon the English at Loyal-hanning;[1] they accordingly did, and as they were driven back, they fell in with that party, that guided us, which they did not know. They seemed very sorry for it.
18th.—Captain Bull acted as commander, without letting us know any thing, or communicating with us. He and George relieved a prisoner from the warriors, by what means I do not know. When the warriors were
- ↑ Kekeuscung's name signified "the healer." He was accounted a great warrior, and often joined the Six Nations against the Cherokees. The traditional hostility between the latter Indians and those around the Allegheny rendered difficult the attempt to conciliate the Delawares while the Cherokees were in the English army. The attack here mentioned the English camp at Loyalhanna, was repulsed by Colonel Mercer and the Virginian troops. On their return they fired by mistake upon their own re-enforcements, and nearly killed their leader, Washington.—Ed.
