the spies and emissaries of that nation then resident
among them; to surrender to justice those of their own people who had
been concerned in murdering and scalping the British subjects; and for
the performance of these articles two-and-twenty of their head men
were put as hostages into the hands of the governor. So little regard,
however, was paid by these savages to this solemn accommodation, that
Mr. Lyttleton had been returned but a few days from their country, when
they attempted to surprise the English fort Prince George, near the
frontiers of Carolina, by going thither in a body, on pretence of
delivering up some murderers; but the commanding officer, perceiving
some suspicious circumstances in their behaviour, acted with such
vigilance and circumspection as entirely frustrated their design.
[549] _[See note 4 L, at the end of this Vol.]_ Thus disappointed,
they wreaked their vengeance upon the English subjects trading in their
country, all of whom they butchered without mercy. Not contented
with this barbarous sacrifice, they made incursions on the British
settlements at the Long Lanes, and the forks of the Broad River, and
massacred about forty defenceless colonists, who reposed themselves
in full security on the peace so lately ratified. As views of interest
could not have induced them to act in this manner, and their revenge
had not been inflamed by any fresh provocation, these violences must
be imputed to the instigation of French incendiaries; and too plainly
evinced the necessity of crowning our American conquests with the
reduction of Louisiana, from whence these emissaries were undoubtedly
despatched.

The cruelty and mischief with which the Cherokees prosecuted their
renewed hostilities alarmed all the southern colonies of the
English, and application was made for assistance to Mr. Amherst,
the commander-in-chief of the king's forces in America. He forthwith
detached twelve hundred chosen men to South Carolina, under the command
of colonel Montgomery, brother to the earl of Eglinton, an officer of
approved conduct and distinguished gallantry. Immediately after his
arrival at Charles-Town, he advanced to Ninety-Six, and proceeded to
Twelve-mile river, which he passed in the beginning of June, without
opposition. He continued his route by forced marches until he arrived
in the neighbourhood of the Indian town called Little Keowee, where
he encamped in an advantageous situation. Having reason to believe t