Page:History of Delaware County (1856).djvu/99

DELAWARE COUNTY. 75 He left the fort in Schoharie, and came out through the woods to Harpersfield, in the time of making sugar, and from thence he laid his course for Cherry Valley, to investigate the state of things there ; and as he was pursuing a blind kind of In- dian trail, and was ascending what are now called Decatur Hills, he cast his eye forward, and saw a company of men com- ing directly towards him, who had the appearance of Indians. He knew that if he attempted to flee from them they wo.uld shoot him down : he resolved to advance right up to them, and make the best shift for himself he could. As soon as he came near enough to discern the white of their eyes, he knew the head man and several others : the head man's name was Peter, an Indian with whom Col. Harper had often traded at Oquago, before the Revolution began. The Col. had his great coat on, so that his regimentals were concealed, and was not recognized : the first word of address on Col. Harper's part was, ^ How do you do, brothers ?' the reply was, ^ Well ; how do you do, brother ? which way are you bound, brother ' On a secret expedition ; and which way are you bound, brothers ?' ^Down the Susquehanna, to cut off the Johnston settlement.' (Parson Johnston, and a number of Scottish families, had settled down the Susquehanna, at what is now called Sidney Plains, and these were the people whom they were about to destroy.) Says the colonel, ^ where do you lodge to-night?' -^At the mouth of Schenevus creek,' was the reply. Then shaking hands with them, he bid them good-speedy and pro- ceeded on his journey. " He had gone but a little way from them before he took a circuit through the woods, a distance of eight or ten miles, on to the head of Charlotte river, where were a number of men making sugar ; ordered them to take their arms, two days' provisions, a canteen of rum, and a rope, and meet him down the Charlotte, at a small clearing called Evan's place, at a cer- tain hour that afternoon ; then rode with all speed through