Oglethorpe's banner; and, now attired in the Highland costume, Oglethorpe sailed up the Alatamaha to visit them at Darien, where they had taken up their quarters. By the help of these brave men, Oglethorpe determined to extend the boundaries of Georgia as far as St. John's river in Florida; and the Indians of the Coweta-tribe hearing the rumour of war, sent forth their gaily-painted warriors, to wield the hatchet in aid of Oglethorpe. Long speeches and exchange of presents were followed by the wild war-dance; and the Muskhogees and the Cherokees gathered around him to renew their former friendly alliance.
A great council of the Muskhogee chiefs was held at Cusitas on the Chattahouchee; and Oglethorpe making his way by solitary paths, fearless of the noonday heat or the dews of night, or of the treachery of hireling Indians, came to this great assembly to talk to his red friends,—to distribute presents, to drink the sacred safkey with the Creek warriors, to smoke the pipe of peace, and to conclude a firm alliance with them in war or in peace.
In 1734, Oglethorpe made a voyage to England, and won universal favour for his young colony. In the year 1736 he returned, taking with him three hundred emigrants, whom he cared for like a father; and having reached land, he ascended with them a rising ground, not far by Tybee island, where they all fell on their knees and returned thanks to God, for having safely conducted them to Georgia. Among these was a second company of Moravians, men who had “a faith above fear,” and who in the simplicity of their lives seemed to revive the primitive Christian communities where state and rank were unknown, but where Paul the tentmaker, and Peter the fisherman, presided with the demonstration of the Spirit.
With this company came John and Charles Wesley; Charles, the secretary of Oglethorpe, and both burning
