13th.—We got up early, and boiled some chocolate for breakfast, and then began to finish our rafts; we cloathed ourselves as well as we could in Indian dress; it was about two o’clock in the afternoon, before we all got over to the other side, near an old Indian town. The Indians told us, we should not call Mr. Bull, captain, their young men would be mad that we brought a warrior there. We went up a steep hill, good land, to the creek Cowewanick,[91] where we made our fire. They wanted to hunt for meat, and looked for a road. Captain Bull shot a squirrel, and broke his gun. I cut fire wood, and boiled some chocolate for supper. The others came home, and brought nothing. Pesquitomen wanted to hear the writing from the general, which we read to them, to their great satisfaction. This was the first night we slept in the open air. Mr. Bull took the tent along with him. We discoursed a good deal of the night together.
14th.—We rose early, and thought to make good progress on our way. At one o’clock Thomas Hickman shot a large buck; and, as our people were hungry for meat, we made our camp there, and called the water Buck run. In the evening we heard the great guns fire from fort Duquesne. Whenever I looked towards that place, I felt a dismal impression, the very place seemed shocking and dark. Pesquitomen looked his things over, and found a white belt, sent by the commissioners of trade,[92] for the Indian affairs. We could find no writing concerning the belt, and did not know what was the signification thereof: They seemed much concerned to know it.
15th.—We arose early, and had a good day’s journey: we passed these two days through thick bushes of briars and thorns; so that it was very difficult to get through. We crossed the creek Paquakonink; the land is very indifferent. At twelve o’clock we crossed the road from Venango to fort Duquesne. We went west towards Kushkushking, about sixteen miles from the fort. We went over a large barren plain, and made our lodging by a little run. Pesquitomen told us, we must send a messenger, to let them know of our coming, as the French live amongst them; he desired a string of wampum; I gave him three hundred and fifty. We concluded to go within three miles of Kushkushking, to their sugar cabbins,[93] and to call their chiefs there. In discourse, Mr. Bull told the Indians, the English should let all the prisoners stay amongst them, that liked to stay.
16th.—We met two Indians on the road, and sat down with them to dinner. They informed us that no body was at home, at Kushkushking; that one hundred and fifty, from that town, were gone to war against our party. We crossed the above mentioned creek; good land, but hilly. Went down a long valley to Beaver creek, through old Kushkushking,[94] a large spot of land, about three miles long; they both went with us to the town; one of them rode before us, to let the people in the town know of our coming; we found there but two men, and some women. Those, that were at home, received us kindly. Pesquitomen desired us to read the message to them that were there.
17th.—There were five Frenchmen in the town; the rest were gone to war. We held a council with Delaware George, delivered him the string and presents, that were sent to him; and informed him of the general’s sentiments, and what he desired of them; upon which he agreed, and complied to go with Mr. Bull, to the general. Towards night Keckkenepalin came home from the war, and told us the disagreeable news, that they had fallen in with that party, that had guided us; they had killed Lieutenant Hays, and four more, and took five prisoners, the others got clear off. They had a skirmish with them within twelve miles of fort Duquesne. Further he told us, that one of the captives was to be burnt, which grieved us. By the prisoners they were informed of our arrival; on which they concluded to leave the French, and to hear what news we brought them. In the evening they brought a prisoner to town. We called the Indians together, that were at home, and explained the matter to them, and told them, as their own people had desired the general to give them a guide to conduct them safe home and by a misfortune, your people have fallen in with this party, and killed five and taken five prisoners; and we are now informed that one of them is to be burnt; “Consider, my brethren, if you should give us a guide, to bring us safe on our way home, and our parties should fall in with you, how hard you would take it.”
They said, “Brother, it is a hard matter, and we are sorry it hath happened so.” I answered, “Let us therefore spare no pains to relieve them from any cruelty.” We could scarce find a messenger, that would undertake to go to Sawcung, where the prisoner was to be bu[r]nt. We promised to one named Compass, 500 black wampum, and Mr. Hays gave him a shirt and a dollar, on which he promised to go. We sent him as a messenger. By a string of wampum I spoke these words, “Brethren, consider the messengers are come home with good news, and three of your brethren, the English, with them. We desire you would pity your own young men, women and children, and use no hardships towards the captives, as having been guiding our party.”
Afterwards the warriors informed us, that their design had not been to go to war, but that they had a mind to go to the general and speak with him; and on the road the French made a division among them, that they could not agree; after which they were discovered by the Cherokees and Catawbas, who fled, and left their bundles, where they found an English colour. So Kekeuscung told them he would go before them to the general, if they would follow him; but they would not agree to it; and the French persuaded them to fall upon the English at Loyal-hanning;[95] they accordingly did, and as they were driven back, they fell in with that party, that guided us, which they did not know. They seemed very sorry for it.
18th.—Captain Bull acted as commander, without letting us know any thing, or communicating with us. He and George relieved a prisoner from the warriors, by what means I do not know. When the warriors were met, he then called us first to sit down, and to hear what they had to say. The Indian that delivered the prisoner to Bull and George, spoke as follows:
“My brethren, the English are at such a distance from us, as if they were under ground, that I cannot hear them. I am very glad to hear from you such good news; and I am very sorry that it happened so, that I went to war. Now I let the general know, he should consider his young men, and if you should have any of us, to set them at liberty, so as we do to you.”