The Kingwood chronicle. [volume] (Kingwood, Va. [W. Va.]) 1861-1861, 1861-05-25

ger from their violence, pressted the
Frenchman, but the lives Of the entire pop
ulation is in the hands Of the savages and
unless you exert your authority to- quiet them,
our streets will flow with blood. =
I'm sorry for you sir, cody replied the
Brlton, but the truth is, my troops are too
few in numbers to control the warriors, and |
can do nothing for you?''
DE Quindre therefore abruptly left the
fort, and ran to the quarters Of Colonel Nc
kee, then the British agent, who he knew
was not only popular among the savages, but
had always exerted over them unbonded in
fuencc
On his way he could see the Indians gath
erlng by hundreds from every directions arm
ed with war-clubs and tomahawks, prepared
for a general massacre Of the inhabitants; !;
while their fierce war cries were ringing with
piercing tones upon the ear A mob Of at
least thousand Of the painted demons had
assembled in trout ofhis house. and were de-
molishing his doors and windows, while his
gooda were being thrown out to the crowd
waiting impatiently for the owner to be drag
gel FORTH and delivered to their murderous
knives
This sight gave heetness t. his feet, and
rushing to the colonels quarters, he found
that officer to whom he briefly, and as dis
tinctly as his excitement would premit, relat
ed what had occurred, and begged him to IN
terfere. if possible, and prevent the threaten
ed massacre
Mckee, well verscd i'll the Indian character
instantly perceiying the imminent danger
that menaced the place, and requesting De
Quindre to remain where he was, lest the In
dians, 50 greatly exasperated against him.
might kill him, hastencd to the scene Of ex-
element
He was tall, straight, athletic, noble look
ing man, with voice like thunder and from
his long intercourse with the Indians Of the
frontier, had All intimate knowledge Of their
language. Pushing his way through the say
ages, now excited to madness at not finding
the Erenchman, he mounted to the top Of i
low building. waved his sword. and in loud
tones shouted:
IIo who are the cowor9s 10 thi, crowd2s
The sound Of his well known voice arrested
the attention Of the yelling rabb!e, and after a
brief silence qone Of the Indians replied.
There are no towards here We are al
braves =
.H's Ie returned the colonel stamp
ing with pretended rage. 4 tell you, war
lors, there are cotards, cruren cowarA
among you
This insulting accusation was received with
astonishment BY the Indians at first, and then
they turned toward the bold man who had
sion, and yell Of defiance broke simultane-
ously from them But, without moving 4
muscle, the courageous agent met their fiery
glances unqualified He had changed the tide
Of feeling. and thus far had gained a very I'M
portant polnt.
Il repeat it, continued the colonel
Strengthening his tall, commanding figure to
its utmost stretch there are cou1rels,
sncaking wolves, il this crowd, that | am
ashamed to see among my brave Indians -
Now, let my brave warriors separate them
selves from them. and standeon this side Of
the path, while the towards remain about the
Frcnchman doors-they arc welcome to
plumber his worthless goods Il
The powerful voice Of the white man now
struck upon the ears Of the sayages with an
electric effect, and once more reyulsion Of
feeling took place among them. The tempest
of angry passion was instantly subdued and
/ their loud wells sank to low murmurs. while the
entire mass, as if impelled by one common
sentiment. moved together to the other side
Of the street, and raising their faces to where
the brave officer was standing, seemed to await
his further orders.
THAT is WELL my friends s. cried he
Now let every brare man follow me. The
co,eorels may remain behind and secure their
plunder
So saying the colonel descended from his
elevated position. and then led them to the
common beyond the town, where mounting
stump. he detained them with a goodna-
tured harangue, while he sent off to the Com
missary ) store for barrel Of whiskey. When
# arrived he invited the Indians to drink.
The barrel was soon emptied, and another,
and another still, we're sent for, till under the
mellowing influences Of the strong waters the
fiery warriors forgot their late excitement,
and BY the prompt and determined action OF
this brave white man restrained from violence.
Throughout the following night. however,
there were frequently heard, amid the drunk
en- sounds, the threatening words Of FIRE,
blood, scalps and plunder.
But Colonel Mckee had provided against