Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (Vol 1 1904).djvu/251

1758] was ordered to accompany us to the Alleghenny river with fourteen men. We went the path that leads along the Loyal Hanning creek, where there is a rich fine bottom, land well timbered, good springs and small creeks. At four o'clock we were alarmed by three men, in Indian dress; and preparation was made on both sides for defence. Isaac Still shewed a white token, and Pesquitomen gave an Indian halloo; after which they threw down their bundles, and ran away as fast as they could. We afterwards took up their bundles, and found that it was a small party of our men, that had been long out. We were sorry that we had scared them; for they lost their bundles with all their food. Then, I held a conference with our Indians, and asked them, if it would not be good, to send one of our Indians to Logstown and fort Duquesne, and call the Indians from thence, before we arrive at Kushkushking. They all agreed it would not be good, as they were but messengers; it must be done by their chief men. The wolves made a terrible music this night.

11th.—We started early, and came to the old Shawanese town, called Keckkeknepolin, grown up thick with weeds, briars and bushes, that we scarcely could get through. Pesquitomen led us upon a steep hill, that our horses could hardly get up; and Thomas Hickman's horse stumbled, and rolled down the hill like a wheel; on which he grew angry, and would go no further with us, and said, he would go by himself: It happened we found ————