mandant of the fort. Doharty, thinking it a matter of
importance, and possibly having reference to the surrender of some of
the murderers of the settlers in exchange for the hostages, went in
great haste and summoned Captain Coytmore, who instantly came,
accompanied by Lieutenant Bell with Foster, the interpreter, following.
The writer detailed that he himself was within, engaged in inspection
duty as officer of the day, or his interest and curiosity would have
carried him in their company. In expectation of developments they all
went down to the water's edge, and Coytmore asked the chief if he would
not ford the stream and come over. But Oconostota stated that he was in
haste touching matters of great moment which he wished to impart to the
royal governor of South Carolina. It was imperative that he should treat
of the subject in person, and thus he would go to Charlestown to see
Governor Lyttleton if Captain Coytmore would send a white man to
accompany him as a safeguard in the white settlements. Captain Coytmore
seemed to consider for a moment whom he could send; and then, evidently
desirous of furthering any pacific negotiation, said that he could
detail a man for that duty. Oconostota replied that that courtesy was
all he would ask of the commandant--a white man as a safeguard. He
himself would furnish a horse for the man to ride. He had come prepared
for the purpose, and he lifted a bridle, which he had brought over one
arm, to show it. He then remarked that he would get the horse, which he
had left a little distance back, while Captain Coytmore gave the man his
instructions. So saying, he lifted up the bridle in his hand, whirling
it three times around his head, and wheeling his horse, galloped off,
while from an ambush amongst the trees and underbrush a fire of twenty
or thirty muskets was poured upon the little group at the river bank.
Captain Coytmore was shot through the left breast and died that day.
Bell and Foster were each wounded in the leg. Doharty and the sentinel
had much ado to get them into the fort with Coytmore's help, for the
commandant was able to run to shelter with the rest through the
sally-port, and until Parker, who the writer said had had considerable
experience as a chirurgeon, examined Coytmore's wound, neither he nor
the others knew that it was mortal. Milne, being now the officer in
command, thought it fit to order the hostages into irons, fearing some
outbreak within the fort as well as