ut, "we want peace." He was told to come in and he
should have it; but he declined the invitation to enter, and they all
retreated, dragging off those of their slain, who lay not too near
the fort.

Of the whites, four only were killed by the enemy. Pritchet, before
the attack commenced,--James Burns and Alexander Ochiltree, as they
were coming to the house early in the morning,--and James Graham while
in the fort. It was impossible to ascertain the entire loss of the
Indians. Seventeen lay dead in the yard; and they were known to carry
off others of their slain. Perhaps the disparity of the killed,
equalled, if it did not exceed the disparity of the number engaged.
There were twenty-one men at Donnoly's fort, before the arrival of the
reinforcement under Stuart and Lewis; and the brunt of the battle was
over before they came. The Indian force exceeded two hundred men.

It was believed, that the invasion of the Greenbrier country had been
projected, some time before it actually was made. During the preceding
season, an Indian calling himself John Hollis, had been very much
through the settlement; and was known to take particular notice of the
different forts, which he entered under the garb of friendship. He was
with the Indians in the attack on Donnoly's fort; and was recognized
as one of those who were left dead in the yard.

On the morning after the Indians departed, Capt. Hamilton went in
pursuit of them with seventy men; but following two days, without
[180] perceiving that he gained on them, he abandoned the chase and
returned.

About the middle of June, three women went out from West's fort, to
gather greens in a field adjoining; and while thus engaged were
attacked by four Indians, lying in wait. One gun only was fired, and
the ball from it, passed through the bonnet of Mrs. Hackor, who
screamed aloud and ran with the others towards the fort. An Indian,
having in his hand a long staff, with a spear in one end, pursuing
closely after them, thrust it at Mrs. Freeman with such violence that,
entering her back just below the shoulder, it came out at her left
breast. With his tomahawk, he cleft the upper part of her head, and
carried it off to save the scalp.

The screams of the women alarmed the men in the fort; and seizing
their guns, they ran out, just as Mrs. Freeman fell. Several guns were
fired at the Indian while he was getting her scalp, but with no
effect. They served however, to warn the men who went