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Updated: June 13, 2025
"He would rejoice and thank God if you would do as I say." "But the Indian woman with the blue eyes has told me in English that if I run away they will hurt him terribly." Poor child! As if her presence could save Ericus Dale from dying the death once Black Hoof found time to indulge in his favorite pastime.
"But it's the way the border men declared war after the murder at Yellow Creek," declared Dale. "They stripped and painted and struck the post and danced around it." "They'll be through mighty soon now, Ericus," soothed Davis, who was uneasy between his fears of displeasing his wife's cousin and giving offense to the young men. "They meant well."
With the entire circle of fuel ablaze he would slowly roast. Black Hoof muttered some gibberish and applied the torch. As the first billow of smoke rose and before the savages could commence their dancing and preliminary tortures, Ericus Dale threw back his head and loudly prayed: "O God, protect my little girl! O God, have mercy upon me!"
I will start now." "A prompt response," he said. "And most pleasing. But to-morrow early will do. Spend the night here." "To-night. Now," I insisted. "I need action." He gave me a sharp glance, then called his man and gave the order. While my saddle was being shifted he informed me: "Ericus Dale and John Ward paid us a call. Dale and His Excellency had a rare bout of words.
Ericus Dale would not only stake his own life but even his daughter's on his faith in red men. I recalled Cornstalk's pretended friendship for the whites at Carr's Creek and on Jackson's River and the price the settlers paid for their trustfulness. "When did they ride?" "Two days ergo. Bright 'n' early in de mornin'." I ran to my horse and mounted.
It did not follow that Patricia Dale was in Salem because her father was there. In truth, it was difficult to imagine Patsy Dale being content with that little settlement under the eastern eaves of the mountains. Before I could find my tongue Mrs. Davis was informing her neighbors: "My cousin, Ericus, ain't got many warm spots in his heart for Governor Dunmore. He's sure to be sot ag'in' this war.
Ericus thought he knew it all. Wal, them that lives longest learns th' most," he philosophically observed. "Powerful glad to see you. We'll be seein' more of each other, I take it. How's my woman? Good. She's a right forward, capable woman, if I do say it. Moulton's out on a scout. Silent sort of a cuss these days from thinkin' 'bout his woman an' th' children. But a rare hand in a mess."
I do recall my amazement at the abrupt ending of my dreams. I woke up one morning to discover I had no money, no assets. There were no odds and ends, even, of wreckage which I could salvage for one more week of the old life. Among my first friends had been Ericus Dale and his daughter, Patricia. To her intimates she was known as Patsy.
I have always resented Ericus Dale's attitude toward that youth on learning he was a pauper. It is bad enough to confess to a girl that one has not enough to marry on; but it is hell to be compelled to add that one has not enough to woo on. How it wrung my heart to tell her I was an impostor, that I was going to the back-country and begin life all over. Poor young devil!
No word was spoken until the last of the four killers had filed away to secure their horses and be gone. Then Davis said: "Time to eat, Ericus. Let's go back and see how the women-folks is gettin' along." "Keep that white scum from this creek until I can carry a bag of talk to Cornstalk and Logan and you won't need any armed bullies to protect you," said Dale.
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