The fighting was over within ten minutes, with Big Elk and every brave killed except two, who jumped into the creek. Hart ordered Ethan and two other men to follow them, and they moved almost one hundred yards downstream but soon lost sight of the Indians, who apparently swam to safety. As they stood still and listened quietly to detect any movement in the brush across the creek, Ethan heard Clarke shout for all his men to reload, and to search every hiding place for “cowards that refused to fight.”

A few minutes later, the settlers were surprised to find a number of women and children, including three infants, huddled inside the shelters, all attempting to hide under or behind hides or blankets. They were brought into the center of the clearing, and crowded closely together, touching or embracing each other in fear.

Ethan heard Clarke order, “Kill them all!”

He ran back toward the clearing, shouting, “No! No!”

But it was too late. While most of the white men held back and a few protested, Clarke and several of the settlers moved in, and with their hatchets, soon killed all the survivors. When Ethan arrived, some of the Indians were being scalped.

He grasped Clarke by his shoulder and spun him around. “This is murder! You’re no better than Big Elk!”

Clarke backed away and leveled his rifle at Ethan’s chest. “Don’t ever touch me again, Pratt, unless you’re ready to die. These people are all guilty and they have to learn a lesson. I’d advise you to get your arse away from here and go back to your damned Quaker settlement. You had no business being here in the first place.”

Ethan was furious and disgusted. He looked around at the faces of the other men and saw a clear distinction among them. He judged that at least a third of them agreed with him, but no one spoke. He turned and walked slowly out of the clearing, heading down the trail toward where they had left their horses. Only two other men followed him, and they were soon on their way back home. He tried not to think about the bloody scene he had left behind.

CHAPTER 17

Clarke Organizes a Militia