The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-03
CHAPTER xxx.
BY A HAIRS BREADTH.

AS we were driven along down the
old Genesee tail 1 looked back and
realized that the sacrifice of our little
band had prevented a more serious am
buscade than that at Newtown, for the
enemy had been hidden at the head OF
a ravine, just northeast of the Cana
seraga, down which our unsuspecting
army must have passed and been
frightfully punished If not scattered.
We had brought on an engagement by
firing at the five Indians. Both Brant
and Butler now admitted that they
stood no chance of surprising Sullivan
and ordered a retreat down the Cam
aseraga and Genesee. About o'clock
a halt was made out opposite Chenan-
doane ford and there Brant saw to it
that we were properly fed. I was so
sore that 1 could hardly move, and hav-
ing been out the night before, was
nearly dead from fatigue. Boyd was
in worse condition, and poor Parker
was entirely unable to keep up. BY
Brants orders Parker was bound on a
horse and either asleep or insensible,
rode with closed eyes, all that after
noon. Just before nightfall of the 14th
we were forded to the west bank OF
the river, where there was an old cat
tie stockade. Here a halt was ordered,
and on the great plain eight miles north
of Little Boards new town of Chenan-
doanes, a consultation was had.
1t started in as a council, but feeling
ran high between the rangers and In
dams. and within an hour a grand row
was in progress. Butler thought the
prisoners his, or claimed them at best.
Brant fatty refused. Little Beard, the
fierce leader of the Senecas, stood by
Brant for a time, but finally, as Brant
afterward told me, Butler took Lit
tie Beard aside and told him that Brant
wanted the captives, that he might
save their lives, while he (Butler)
wanted them that he might see Little
Beard torture them. Then Little Beard
sided with Butler, and Brant was COM
PEELED to compromise.
During this pow WOW l had been
asleep, but poor Boyd could not rest.
He seemed to have a, presentiment of
some terrible evil-something more nor
rible than had yet happened. About 10
O'Clock he awakened me. l sat up con-
siderably refreshed. Parker was asleep,
but was moaning with pain in way
that was pitiful. We could hear the
voices of the contestants, just outside
the log cattle house in which we were
confined Our guard, squatted before
the door, was listening to the alterca-
ton beyond. Still further beyond, a
band of Seneca squaws that had APP
peared from down north were mourn
ing their dead. l crawled to chink
in the logs, and there looked and lis
tened. 1t was very dark, and quite
cold. Little Beard, who had secured
some liquor from Buffers supply and
was half drunk, was making ramb-
ling speech, justifying his change of
mind. The dignity of an Iroquois coun-
ell was certainly not there. Brant
sprang to his feet, even while Little
Beard was speaking, and gave him the
lie. Then there was a tumult. Knives
and hatchets were drawn and blood
shed seemed imminent. Brant, how
ever, cowed them all. He sprang with
in the circle and strobe over to Little
Beard, who retreated before him. He
drove them from the circle, and then
turned his attention to Butler. He
challenged him to produce his orders
from Colonel Butler, his father, and
claimed that they were to the effect
that the captives should be delivered
safely at Niagara, whitrer the Colonel
had gone.
Butler. admitted this charge. He
claimed, however that the losses of his
friends, the Senecas, had been so great
that he was justified in breaking his
orders, and meant to break them.
Then there was a war of words, SO
confused, that l understood but little
of it. 1t embraced other subjects than
the captives, however. Brant during
this debate offered to let Butler have
the two officers, the Indians to retain
me. This was agreed upon. Then But
Ter seemed advocating another ambush
of our army. The Indians had had
enough fighting, however. Brant saw
his advantage and now branded Butler
as a coward. who sent his men ahead
of himself, and the Indians ahead of
his men. This was a home thrust, for
all had seen his action in the recent
battle. Brant rung all the changes on
this one strong point against Butler,
and soon had things his own way.
could see that even the rangers, But
ler's own followers, were in sympathy
with Brant. Butler seeing that he was
beaten finally fell back on Brant's offer,
but tackled on a proviso which made
my hair raise: the white Oneida, Que