CHAPTER IV
I REPORT TO MY SUPERIORS
A night at the Greenwood cabin and I resumed my journey to Salem on theRoanoke. Near this hamlet lived Colonel Andrew Lewis, to whom I was toreport before carrying or forwarding Doctor Connolly's despatches toGovernor Dunmore. The trip was free from any incidents and seemedexceedingly tame after the stress of over-mountain travel. All thesettlers I talked with were very anxious to know the true conditions alongthe border.
As I pressed on and found the cabins more thickly strewn along the variouswaters I was impressed by the belief of many that the Cherokees would jointhe Ohio tribes before the war ended. One would expect to find thisapprehension to be the keenest where the danger would be the greatest. Butnot so. Whenever I related how Isaac Crabtree had murdered Cherokee Billy,brother of the powerful Oconostota, the pessimists were positive that theCherokee nation would lay down a red path.
Notwithstanding these natural fears the war remained popular withpractically all the men with whom I talked. Various companies were beingformed, and militia captains, to make sure of seeing active service, werenot punctilious as to where and by what means they secured their men.There was much ill-natured bickering over this rivalry, with severalmatters assuming such proportions that only Colonel Lewis could straightenthem out.
The war was popular because the people realized a farther westernexpansion would be impossible until the Indians had been crowded back andfirmly held behind the Ohio. Anything short of a permanent elimination ofthe red menace was cried down.
Much resentment was felt against the hotheads in Pennsylvania for openlyaccusing the Virginians of inciting the war to establish their landclaims. It was widely known that the Pennsylvania _Gazette_ had publishedcharges against Doctor Connolly to the effect that his agents, actingunder his orders, had fired on friendly Shawnees who were escorting whitetraders into Fort Pitt. Among these settlers east of the mountains thecommon complaint was about the scarcity of powder and lead.
When within a few miles of my destination I came upon a group of settlerswho were gathered about a travel-stained stranger. For the first timesince leaving Dunlap's Creek I found myself of second importance. This manwas tanned by the weather to a deep copper color and wore a black clotharound his head in place of a cap.
I halted on the edge of the group and waited for him to finish hisnarrative which must have been of lively interest if the rapt attention ofthe men and women was any gage.
"--and using the ax I jumped over his body, got to the horse and rodeaway," his deep voice concluded. He spoke with a palpable effort andalmost with a sing-song intonation.
I dismounted and pressed forward, and told him:
"You talk like an Indian."
"God's marcy, young sir!" cried an old dame. "An', please sweet grace, whyshouldn't he? Isn't he Johnny Ward, took by the Injums when a boy, an'just managed to scoot free of 'em?"
The man slowly looked me over, his face as immovable as any Shawneechief's. Then with the slightest of hesitation between each two words hecalmly informed me:
"Escaped as the white woman says. Named John Ward. Indian name, Red Arrow.Now I am back with my people. Now I am John Ward again. I talk bad. Italked with Indians most the time all these years. With my old friends Iwill grow to talk better."
I congratulated him on his return to civilization. Many a man holding ahigh place in the colony's government and in the affection of the peoplehad been held in captivity; but few were the men who returned afterspending so many years with the Indians. In that respect Ward's case wasunusual.
"Your talk sounds all right to us," said one of the men. "Mayhap youl'arned some things about the red hellions that'll help our boys to give'em pepper."
"I can lead you to their towns by the shortest trails. I can lead you totheir new towns that white men can not find quick," he replied, after afew moments' pause, just as an Indian would wait before answering aquestion.
Young Cousin flashed into my mind, and I asked:
"Do you know of a white woman--she would be nineteen years old now--namedCousin? She was captured by Shawnees at Keeney's Knob ten years ago."
For half a minute I was doubtful if he understood my query. Then he shookhis head. I was disappointed as it seemed to be an excellent chance tolearn whether the girl be dead or alive. Still talking in his peculiar,halting way, he said:
"She, the white woman, was killed, probably. If not that she would betaken to Detroit and sold. Now married and living on a Canada farm,probably. Whites taken prisoners were not let to see each other. No whiteswere ever kept in the village where I lived."
"What village were you kept in?"
"First in Lower Shawnee Town. Then in more towns. As I grew old they tookme to the towns farthest from the Ohio. Then came a time when I went whereI pleased, but they never took me on their war-paths south the Ohio."
By this time the country folk began to remember that I, too, was anewcomer, and should have much information or gossip. They turned fromWard and plied me with questions. I briefly recited for the twentieth timesince leaving Dunlap's Creek the conditions west of the mountains.
Detailed cross-examination brought forth the happenings at Howard's Creekand the murder of the four Grisdols, and the firing of the Edgely cabin.When I said that Black Hoof was in command of the Grisdol raiders myaudience displayed nervousness, and more than one glance was cast towardthe west. The effect on Ward was pronounced, also. Rising, he asked:
"Catahecassa led that path? I must be going. It was from his band Iescaped. His warriors followed me. I will go to the east before campingfor the night."
"He'll never dare come east of the mountains!" loudly declared one of themen.
Ward's face was inscrutable as he walked to his horse. As he vaulted intothe saddle he remarked:
"Black Hoof has a long arm."
So it happened that John Ward, the returned captive, and I finished thedistance to Salem. Temptation assailed me as we reached the edge of thesettlement. I had planned all the time to finish my business with ColonelLewis at his home at Richfield. I had planned this even after learningfrom Mrs. Davis of the Dales' presence in Salem.
Now, of a sudden, it seemed that I must hunt them up and look on Patriciaonce more. But Colonel Lewis was waiting for me. I had endured three yearswithout a glimpse of the girl; and leaving Ward to ride on and relate hisexperience to the Salem people I skirted the town and pressed on toRichfield.
Arriving at the Lewis home I was informed by a colored man that thecolonel was not at the house, but somewhere about the grounds.
"An' please goodness, massa, I's gwine to fotch him in two shakes of ahoun' dawg's tail," he told me.
I threw myself on the grass and waited. Either the servant's powers of"fotching" had been exaggerated, or else the colonel was quite indifferentto my arrival. Nearly an hour passed before my meditations wereinterrupted.
This was not my first visit to Richfield to report to the colonel, but Ifelt no better acquainted at the last meeting than at the first. There wasa certain reserve in his manner which held folks at arm's length. Thisimpression of aloofness was increased by his personal appearance. His tallfigure and stern dark eyes made for austerity.
In military affairs he was said to be overstrict in discipline; this fromthose who had served under him in former wars. Yet he stood very high inthe esteem of the county militia and his superiors. Perhaps his severemien was the natural result of a life filled with stormy experiences. Fromearly manhood he had been employed in fighting Indians.
He was a captain of militia at the age of twenty-two. Twelve years laterhe was a major, serving under Colonel George Washington. He was seriouslywounded at Fort Necessity. He would have played a prominent part inBraddock's first and last Indian battle had he not been detailed tocomplete a chain of frontier forts. He was in the disastrous Sandy Creekexpedition the year following Braddock's defeat.
In 1758 he was an officer under Forbes, and was one of those captured withGrant's det
achment. He escaped the stake only to be held a prisoner inMontreal. Later he led a force against the Cherokees; and in Pontiac's Warhe commanded two hundred and fifty riflemen under Colonel Bouquet. Now hewas picked to command one of the two armies that Governor Dunmore proposedto send against the Indian towns above the Ohio.
Among the Indians the name of Lewis stood very high. The natives knew thecolonel to be the son of that John Lewis who was long famed as an Indianfighter. It was commonly believed by red and white, and I have no reasonto doubt the truth of it, that it was John Lewis who introduced red cloverto America.
Whether he did or did not, the Ohio Indians credited him with planting thefirst seed and said the color resulted from the blood of the red men hehad slain. William and Charles Lewis, the colonel's brothers, also werenoted border men. Charles undoubtedly ranked as high for courage andastuteness as any frontiersman in Virginia.
The colored man at last turned the corner of the house. Behind him, andnot yet in sight, was the colonel, and he was not alone for I could hearhis grave voice addressing some companion.
"De c'unel dat stubbo'n I jes' have to talk mighty plain 'fore I couldmake him pudge erlong," proudly whispered the servant as he passed me.
I sprang to my feet, and Colonel Lewis and His Excellency, John Murray,Earl of Dunmore, our royal governor, leisurely strolled into view.
Colonel Lewis wore no wig and was smoking a pipe, of which he wasinordinately fond. It was characteristic of him to be more democratic andcareless in personal presentment when with his superiors than when meetingthe rough and ready people of the border.
Nor was Governor Dunmore given to set forms. He was forty-two years of ageand in his prime, a man among men. He could be most democratic, and onthis day there was none of the town beau's fastidiousness in his dress.Yet his wig and his coat were a mode in themselves, while his shoe, kneeand stock buckles were of gold. Ultra-genteel young bucks would have hadsuch buckles set with brilliants, that they might twinkle and glitter atevery mincing step.
His Excellency walked with a man's stride and gave the impression of beingcareless in dress, whereas, in fact, he always was perfect in his points.He dominated his attire and left you scarcely conscious of it. The two ofthem had been discussing something with great earnestness for as they drewnear me the colonel gestured with his pipe-stem, and His Excellency pushedback his wig and appeared inclined to disagree.
"Lord, man! I tell you it's their cursed provincial jealousy. They malignthe man."
"Your Excellency, I am not the judge," Colonel Lewis calmly replied. "Isimply repeat what I hear, and suggest how it may be disastrous to thecampaign."
"Jealousy and slander!" heatedly declared the governor. Then his livelygaze rested on me. He frowned, as if trying to remember, then smiled withthat graciousness he could so charmingly display when he deemed it worthwhile and said:
"I've been keeping you from your guest, Colonel. He looks brown and leanenough to have traveled far and to have brought a pretty earful. I knowthe face and ought to be calling him by name."
Colonel Lewis advanced a few steps and bowed slightly, and refreshed thegovernor's recollection by saying:
"He is Basdel Morris, Your Excellency. Of Prince William Countyoriginally. Before Your Excellency came to Virginia he came out here toact as scout and messenger between us and Fort Pitt."
"Fort Dunmore," coldly corrected the governor, giving the name bestowed inhonor of his earldom. Then with a genial smile:
"I remember Mr. Morris distinctly. He has brought papers to me. I vow buthe should have a good budget of news. If we could retire to the shade andescape this cursed heat----"
"Inside, inside," brusquely interrupted the colonel, and he waved usthrough the door with his pipe-stem. "We'll find it cool in there."
And we did; and very pleasant too, and with many little comforts for thosewho wish to be indolent, such as foot-rests, and low tables for holdingdecanter and glasses and a sheaf of long pipes and some of Virginia'ssuperb tobacco.
"No ceremony here, Mr. Morris. Sit down, man. We will play His Lordship istraveling in disguise."
"Forsooth! He has that which we are hungry to receive! It's more fit weshould stand while he takes his ease," gaily exclaimed His Excellency. Andhe removed his wig and mopped his cropped poll and sipped appreciativelyof the tall glass a soft-footed servant placed at his elbow.
This was a most pleasing trait about His Excellency, and one which inhappier times should have endeared him even to people who have small usefor earls. He could make the young or diffident man feel more at home thancould the democratic and autocracy-hating Andrew Lewis. Nor was it anyaffectation; for we were soon to learn he could keep up with hardyborderers on long forest marches, and at that, proceed afoot and carry hisown blanket and equipment like any backwoods volunteer.
Colonel Lewis shot a glance at me and then at the governor, and I verilybelieved his dark eyes were laughing at one of us. Surely not at me, for Iwas too insignificant. I obtained an inkling as to the cause of hiscynical amusement when he said:
"Young Mr. Morris, while not forest-bred, has lived long enough in thewoods as to make him blunt of tongue. Would Your Excellency prefer that hemake a verbal report to me and that I reduce it to writing for yourconsideration?"
"After what the Quakers have said I find my skin to be very thick exceptwhen it comes to something touching my personal honor," coldly replied thegovernor. "Let the man tell what he will. We want the truth."
Until this moment I had barely opened my mouth. Now I produced thedespatches committed to my care by Doctor Connolly. In presenting these toGovernor Dunmore I remained standing, waiting to be dismissed.
His Excellency, however, made no move to open and read his despatches, butfell to staring at me speculatively. Finally he said:
"Let's have the personal side--the things you observed on your journeyback here." And he motioned for me to be seated.
I told them of Bald Eagle's murder, and His Excellency exhibited hotanger, and broke in on my recital long enough to exclaim:
"Curse their black hearts! I drove John Ryan out of the country formurdering on the Cheat, Ohio, and the Monongahela. I've had othersarrested, and their crazy neighbors have released them. I offer rewardsfor still others, and they come and go unmolested!"
"Yes, it's unfortunate that some of our border men are as murderous as theIndians," quietly agreed Colonel Lewis. His Excellency subsided and noddedfor me to continue.
I next spoke of young Shelby Cousin, and the colonel's eyes grew hard as Irelated the youth's lament over his little sister, and, in his behalf,urged that some effort be made to ascertain the girl's fate. The governorwrinkled his nose and brows in an effort to remember something. Then hesaid:
"I knew the name was familiar. I've sent word to Connolly to seek tracesof the girl through the different traders. The war has closed that line ofinquiry, I fear, as the traders have come in, or have been slaughtered.Very sad case. Very sad. The young man should go to England to begin lifeanew and learn to forget. I shall arrange it for him."
"He would die before he would quit the woods, Your Excellency," said thecolonel. "If he did consent and did go to England he would die ofhomesickness inside of ten days. Either that, or he would try to swimback."
"Rather a poor opinion of England's charms," remarked the governor.
When I took up the general scarcity of powder and lead and described howhandicapped the settlers were by the lack of these vital necessities, itwas Colonel Lewis's turn to show the most feeling.
His anger was almost passionate, and none the less impressive because heheld it in check. Staring wide-eyed at the governor he concluded hisoutburst by demanding:
"What about it, Your Excellency?"
"What about it? Why, that's something to ask of the House of Burgesses,wound all up in their red tape. His gracious Majesty suggested in'sixty-three that insomuch as the colonies implored England's aid againstthe French and Indians they should contribute something tow
ard the cost oftheir defense in that war. Methinks they have taken the suggestion as anaffront."
"The French War is ten years old. It was fought so that England might gainCanada. Virginia is still a royal province and her people need powder andlead," the colonel replied. Perhaps he stressed "still" a bit. At leastthe governor's gaze dropped and concealed any impression he might havereceived.
The governor drummed his fingers on the low liquor-stand, then lifted hishead and stated:
"This war will never be won by isolated groups of settlers fighting on thedefensive along the many creeks and rivers. The decisive blow will bestruck by the two armies soon to take the field. There will be plenty ofpowder for the men I lead and the men you are to lead. As to theback-country settlements, the House of Burgesses should have provided forthem. His Majesty is eager to aid all his subjects, but there's scantpolicy in serving our powder and balls to be husbanded along the westernslope of the Alleghanies and perhaps later used against England'ssoldiers."
Colonel Lewis dropped his pipe and stared wrathfully at his noble guest.With an effort he restrained his temper and rejoined:
"The talk seems to touch upon some war other than that with the Ohiotribes."
His Excellency at once was all smiles and graciousness. Leaning forwardand placing a hand on the colonel's knee, he earnestly declared:
"The conversation has wandered, foolishly on my part, I admit. I havelacked in tact, but the first fault I swear is due to the attitude of theBurgesses in neglecting to take proper measures for defending thefrontier. Before England can send sufficient supplies to Virginia this warwill have ended. There is plenty of powder at Williamsburg. Why doesn'tthe House of Burgesses send it to the border?"
"There is but a small store at the most, Your Excellency."
"But why retain it when it is needed elsewhere?"
"That is hardly a question I can answer," was the stiff reply. Then with aflash of heat:
"It's a shame! We repeatedly urge those families to stick, not to come offtheir creeks until they've laid by their corn and harvested their oats;and they are denied the simple means of defending their lives. Whether theBurgesses or the royal governor be at fault the fact remains that thesettlers pay in blood and anguish."
"If there is any powder at Williamsburg or Norfolk that I can lay handsto, it shall go over the mountains. At least the royal governor will provehis hands are clean," solemnly declared His Excellency.
"I'll warrant that Pennsylvania has traded enough guns and powder to theShawnee and Mingos," moodily observed the colonel.
"There's too much talk in Williamsburg over peoples' rights, and notenough concern for peoples' lives," declared His Excellency. "It would bea good thing if the House of Burgesses could be locked up in a fort andmade to repel an Indian attack."
"Well, well," sighed the colonel, "we'll never lick the Ohio tribes withproclamations and empty hands."
"By gad, sir! We'll whip them with powder and lead! I've set myself to thetask of crushing the Indian power. It shall be done!"
They settled back and signaled for me to resume my narrative. When Imentioned Crabtree and the other killers both the governor and the colonelexpressed a wish that the Indians might catch them, or else scare themfrom the border. I closed my story by speaking of John Ward, the returnedcaptive. The military instinct of both my hearers was instantly aroused;for here was a source of inside information our spies could not hope toprovide.
"Find that man and send him here," ordered the governor. "But before yougo tell us something of conditions about Fort Dunmore. You seem to haveskipped that."
This was what I had expected, and I did not relish the task. Had I beentalking alone with Colonel Lewis it would have been the first topic I hadtouched upon.
"Your Excellency has Doctor Connolly's despatches. Doubtless they willgive you much more than I can," I faltered.
"There isn't any danger of your duplicating Doctor Connolly'sinformation," said His Excellency sharply.
"His Excellency desires to learn those odds and ends which wouldn't beincluded in an official report, but which may throw some light on thewhole situation," added the colonel, his gaze resting on me veryinsistently. And somehow I knew he wanted me to talk, and to speakplainly.
If I reported according to my sense of duty I feared I was in for anunpleasant experience with His Excellency. If I would ever receive anyfavors from him it would be because I kept my mouth shut and steered clearof dangerous ground. The situation at Pitt, however, had offended me; andnow that I must speak I grew reckless and decided to speak frankly.
"Arthur St. Clair, representing the Pennsylvania proprietors, togetherwith other eminent men in that colony, publicly declared that YourExcellency is in partnership with Doctor Connolly in various land-deals,"I began.
"Doctor Connolly has acted as my agent, just as his uncle, MichaelCroghan, has acted for Colonel George Washington," easily remarked HisExcellency.
"Croghan repudiates the acts of Connolly," I said.
Dunmore frowned and spoke wide of the mark when he said:
"What St. Clair and his friends see fit to believe scarcely constitutesfacts. But go on."
"They also say that this war with the Shawnees is being hurried on for thepurpose of establishing our boundary-claims and making good our titles togrants under Virginia patents."
"Scarcely news. They've been howling that ever since last April," growledLewis.
"I've been absent some months. I have no way of knowing what you've heard,or haven't heard. I'm afraid I have nothing new in the way of facts orgossip," I said, and my face flushed.
Governor Dunmore laughed softly and good-naturedly nodded for me tocontinue. I said:
"It is commonly believed in Pennsylvania that Connolly's circular letterto our frontier was meant to precipitate a war so that he might cover upthe costs of rebuilding Fort Pitt. It is said on all sides that thecommandant fears the House of Burgesses will repudiate his expenditureseven after Your Excellency has endorsed them--providing there is no war."
The governor's face colored, but his voice was quiet as he said:
"Connolly may be a fool in many things, but he is right about the House ofBurgesses. There isn't any doubt as to their repudiating anything whichlooks like a benefit to our frontier."
"Your Excellency, I can scarcely agree to that," cut in Colonel Lewis. Itwas the second time their counter-views had struck out sparks.
Both remained silent for half a minute, each, I have no doubt, controllingan impulse to explode. Relations between the colonies and Englandresembled an open powder-keg. With a bow that might indicate he desired toavoid a dangerous subject the governor shifted the conversation byremarking:
"After all, it doesn't matter what Pennsylvania thinks, so long as we knowher interests are hostile to Virginia's. I am governor of Virginia. I willserve her interests, and by gad! if the Quakers don't like our way theycan chew their thumbs."
"We are one in that!" heartily cried the colonel.
Governor Dunmore frowned down at his gold shoe-buckles and wearily said:
"They say I want war. But the Williamsburg paper has insisted on this warsince last March. Truth is, the border wants the war. And let me confessto you, Colonel Lewis, that the Earl of Dartmouth, as Secretary of Statefor the colonies, will express His Majesty's great displeasure to mebefore this war is over.
"England does not want his campaign to go through. Taking the position Ihave means I will meet with disfavor and criticism at home."
Turning to me, he querulously complained.
"And it's you people along the border who make the war necessary. It's thehorrible massacres of harmless Indians that brought the trouble upon me."
This was grossly untrue and I countered:
"Even Logan doesn't claim that. It's been give and take as to thekillings, with the Indians getting the better of it in scalps. A generalwar can result only from the Indians' belief that our settlers arecrossing the mountains to settle in the Kentuc
ky country."
"Ah! There you go! True to the dot, too!" he cried. "You Americans arerestless. You acquire no attachment to any place. Wandering about seems tobe engrafted in your natures. It's your great weakness that you shouldforever be thinking the lands farther off are better than those on whichyou're already settled."
"But land-grants on the Ohio are worthless without settlers," I meeklyreminded. Colonel Lewis indulged in a frosty smile. His Excellency eyed meshrewdly, and said:
"Of course the lands must be settled sometime. The trouble comes from thefrontier people's failure to understand that His Majesty's government hasany right to forbid backwoodsmen from taking over any Indian lands whichhappen to hit the fancy.
"They have no idea of the permanent obligation of treaties which HisMajesty's government has made with the various Indian nations. Why, someof the frontier people feel so isolated from the colonies that they wishto set up democratic governments of their own. A pretty kettle of fish!Then such creatures as this Crabtree murder such men as the brother of thepowerful Cherokee chief. More trouble for the border.
"I shall offer a reward of a hundred pounds for Crabtree's arrest. If heis arrested the border men will release him. And yet they demand that HisMajesty supply them with powder to defend their homes. Good God! Whatinconsistency! And as if we did not have enough trouble inside our colonythere is Mr. Penn, to the north. As proprietary governor he sullies thedignity of his communications to the House of Representatives by makingthe same a conveyance of falsehood, thereby creating trouble betweenPennsylvania and Virginia.
"He is even now trying to make my Lord Dartmouth believe that my zeal incarrying on this war is not through any sense of duty to my king, butbecause of a desire for personal emoluments. If he can make the people ofVirginia believe that, then I am helpless." Certainly this defense of hismotives was not meant to convert me. My ideas worried His Excellency none.He was testing Colonel Lewis, whose reserve made the broaching of delicatesubjects very much of a difficulty. The colonel quickly declared:
"Your Excellency knows that I thoroughly understand the true bias ofPennsylvania. We are with you in this war heart and soul. But I do think,to put it mildly, that Doctor Connolly has been indiscreet."
He had come back to the one phase of the conversation which interestedhim. The governor hesitated a moment, then asked me:
"What is your personal opinion of Doctor Connolly? Speak freely."
"I consider him to be a very ambitious, intriguing man, and very much of afire-eater."
Both the gentlemen smiled, His Excellency being less genuine than thecolonel. "To be an ambitious fire-eater is not a bad quality in thesetimes," said the governor. "As to intrigue, so long as it is for VirginiaI will not condemn it too strongly. What other charges are there in yourarraignment?"
"I do not arraign him," I retorted. Believing I had gone too far ever toretrieve myself in the governor's good graces, and being made angry by thethought, I boldly continued: "Connolly is too autocratic. He carriesthings with too high a hand. He takes measures which neither YourExcellency, nor any other of His Majesty's governors would dream ofindulging in. He arrests and imprisons citizens without any pretense atlegal procedure. It is because of such actions that many in Pennsylvaniaexpressed the wish we might lose the war. I will add that I heard no suchexpressions of ill-will since the white families were murdered along theMonongahela."
"It does make a difference as to whose ox is being gored," grimlycommented Colonel Lewis.
"Does Pennsylvania still blame Michael Cresap for the death of Logan'speople?" asked the governor.
"Many of them do, because Connolly reduced him in rank. His reinstatementat Your Excellency's command is not so generally known."
"Confusion and bickering!" wrathfully exclaimed the governor. "Virginiademanding a decisive war--England opposed to it. Our militia captainsstealing each other's men--Sir William Johnson's death is most untimely."
Sir William Johnson dead! For the moment I was stunned. My facialexpression was so pronounced that His Excellency kindly added:
"The sad news has just reached us. Never was he needed more and wantedmore. The colonies have been so used to having him hold the Iroquois incheck that few have paused to picture what might happen if his influencewere removed from the Six Nations."
He rose and paced the room for a few turns. Then with a short bow to me headdressed the colonel, saying:
"With your permission, Colonel, I believe I shall retire for an hour. Whenthe man Ward comes I wish to question him."
"By all means, Your Excellency, take a bit of rest. I shall call you ifthe fellow comes."
I turned to go and the colonel walked with me to the door, urging me toreturn and remain his guest that night. I thanked him, explaining anacceptance of his kind offer would depend on circumstances. He walked withme to my horse and with a side-glance at the house softly inquired:
"What do the people over the mountains and in Pennsylvania say about theQuebec Bill now before Parliament?"
"I do not remember hearing it mentioned. I do not think any of thesettlers are interested in it."
"Not interested!" he groaned. "And if it is approved[3] by Parliament theAmerican colonies will be robbed of hundreds of thousands of square milesof territory. They will lose the lands which already have been given themin their own charters. Think of Virginia and Pennsylvania quarreling overthe junction of two rivers when we stand fair to lose all the country westof the Alleghanies. Young man, there's going to be war." This was verysoftly spoken.
"We're in it now," I stupidly replied.
"I am speaking of war with England," he whispered.
I could scarcely accept it as being a true prophecy. I was not disturbedby it. The quarreling between colonies and the mother-country was an oldstory. Hiding my skepticism I asked, "When will it begin?"
"It began in 1763, when the English Ministry decided to collect revenuesfrom the colonies," was the quiet reply. "It will soon be open war. Iverily believe I am entertaining in my humble home to-day the last royalgovernor of Virginia."
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[3] The Quebec Bill, to take effect in 1775, was approved June 22, 1774, or before Colonel Lewis and Morris had their conversation.