Part 9 (1/2)
”It is impossible for me to answer that question,” replied Kenton; ”but I can tell you the nue for yourself”
”Do you know William Stewart?”
”Perfectly well; he is an old and intimate acquaintance”
”What is your own name?”
”Simon Butler!” replied Kenton, who had been known formerly by that name
Never did the announcement of a name produce a more powerful effect
Girty and Kenton had served as spies together in Dunmore's expedition
The former had not then abandoned the society of the whites for that of the savages, and had beco the short period of their services together As soon as he heard the name, he threw his arms around Kenton's neck, and e to the assembled warriors, who had witnessed this scene with much surprise, Girty informed them that the prisoner, whom they had just condemned to the stake, was his ancient companion and bosom-friend; that they had traveled the same war-path, slept upon the sawa the torture, by his adopted brothers, of an old co a favor as the life of a white man to the earnest intercession of one, who had proved, by three years' faithful service, that he was zealously devoted to the cause of the Indians
The speech was listened to in silence, and sorant Girty's request But others urged the flagrant misdemeanors of Kenton; that he had not only stolen their horses, but had flashed his gun at one of their young men; that it was in vain to suppose that so bad a man could ever become an Indian at heart, like their brother Girty; that the Kentuckians were all alike, very bad people, and ought to be killed as fast as they were taken; and, finally, they observed that many of their people had come from a distance, solely to assist at the torture of the prisoner; and pathetically painted the disappointrin, hich they would hear that all their trouble had been for nothing
Girty continued to urge his request, however, with great earnestness, and the debate was carried on for an hour and a half, withthis suspense th the warclub was produced, and the final vote was taken It was in favor of the prisoner's reprieve Having thus succeeded in his benevolent purpose, Girty lost no ti to the cowaave hiins, a breechcloth, a hat, a coat, a handkerchief for his neck, and another for his head
For the space of three weeks, Kenton lived in tranquility, treated with much kindness by Girty and the chiefs But, at the end of that time, as he was one day with Girty and an Indian nae toward the repeatedly a whoop of peculiar intonation Girty instantly told Kenton it was the distress-halloo, and that they o instantly to the council-house Kenton's heart fluttered at the intelligence, for he dreaded all whoops, and heartily hated all council-houses, fir, however, could be done, to avoid whatever fate awaited him, and he sadly accoe
On entering the council-house, Kenton perceived from the ominous scowls of the chiefs, that they meant no tenderness toward him Girty and Redpole were cordially received, but when poor Kenton offered his hand, it was rejected by six Indians successively, after which, sinking into despondence, he turned away, and stood apart
The debate coerly toward Girty, as his last and only hope His friend seemed anxious and distressed The chiefs from a distance rose one after another, and spoke in a fir sternly at Kenton Girty did not desert him, but his eloquence asted After a warm discussion, he turned to Kenton and said, ”Well, er chiefs instantly seized hi hiuard, and uard were on horseback, while he was driven before the rope round his neck In this manner they had marched about two and a halfKenton that he had friends at the next village, hose aid he hoped to be able to do so that nothing could be done, he would not see his friend again, but returned to Waughcotomoco by a different route
The Indians with their prisoner soon reached a large village upon the headwaters of the Scioto, where Kenton, for the first tian, so honorably ravely up to the place where Kenton stood, and the following short conversation ensued:
”Well, young man, these people seem very mad at you?”
”Yes, sir, they certainly are”
”Well; don't be disheartened I ao to Sandusky They speak of burning you there But I will send two runners to-an's form was lish language with fluency and correctness Kenton's spirits revived at the address of the benevolent chief, and he once more looked upon himself as providentially rescued fro, two runners were despatched to Sandusky as the chief had pro they returned, and were closeted with Logan Kenton felt theanxiety to know the result of theirHe then walked up to hi him a piece of bread, told him that he was instantly to be carried to Sandusky; and left hiain Kenton's spirits sunk Froan's , and that Sandusky was to be the scene of his final suffering This appears to have been the truth But fortune had not finished her caprices On being driven into the town, for the purpose of being burnt on the following ent, from Canada, named Drewyer, interposed, and once more was he rescued from the stake Dreished to obtain information for the British commandant at Detroit; and so earnestly did he insist upon Kenton's being delivered to hith consented, upon the express condition that, after the required inforain restored to their possession To this Drewyer consented, and, with out further difficulty, Kenton was transferred to his hands
Drewyer lost no ti him to Detroit On the road, he informed Kenton of the condition upon which he had obtained possession of his person, assuring him, however, that no consideration should induce him to abandon a prisoner to the mercy of such wretches