fort that had been built on the battle
field of Point Pleasant at the mouth of the Big Kanawha of the West
Virginia border.

"My Shawnees are restless," he warned. "The current sets so strongly
against the Americans, that I fear my people will disobey me and float
with the stream."

Captain Matthew Arbuckle was the commander of the fort. He kept the
Cornstalk party as hostages for the good behavior of the Shawnees.
Cornstalk did not object, but spent much time in talking with the
officers, and in kindly drawing maps of the Ohio country, for them.

One day in a council he said:

"When I was young and went to war, I often thought, each might be my
last adventure, and I should return no more. I still lived. Now I am
in the midst of you, and if you choose, you may kill me. I can die but
once. It is alike to me, whether now or hereafter."

Those brave words were not forgotten. This same day somebody shouted
loudly from the opposite side of the Ohio. It was the young Chief
Ellinipsico. He had not known what had happened to his father, and had
traveled many miles, seeking him.

Cornstalk called him over. There was much rejoicing in the reunion;
they loved each other dearly.

On the very next day two soldiers, named Hamilton and Gilmore, went
over the Kanawha River, to hunt. The majority of the Ohio Indians were
now helping the British. Some of the hostile warriors, lurking in West
Virginia, fired on the two men and killed Gilmore.

Instantly the cry arose among the soldiers at the fort, that
Ellinipsico had planned the ambush. Ellinipsico denied it. He said
that he had come alone, on purpose to find his old father.

But that made no difference. Captain John Hall and squad were
returning in a canoe bearing the body of Gilmore.

"Let us go and kill those Indians in the fort!"

Captain Arbuckle and Private Stuart tried in vain to force them back.
In their cabin, of the fort, the Chief Cornstalk party had been told by
a white woman that they were in danger. They now heard the Captain
Hall men approaching. Young Ellinipsico grew frightened, but his
father steadied him.

"My son," said Cornstalk, "the Great Spirit has seen fit that we should
die together, and has sent you here to that end. It is his will, and
let us submit--it is all for the best."

He faced the door, and stood calmly waiting. Without a word or a
struggle he fell dead, pierced through the front by seven bullets.
Ellinipsico was n