CHAPTER XVII.

Walter N. Butler--His flight from Albany, bent on revenge--The Great Tree--Hostile indications among the Senecas and Cayugas--Premonitions of an attack by Butler and Brant upon Cherry Valley--Discredited by Colonel Alden--Scouts sent out and captured--Surprise of the town--Massacre and burning--Death of Colonel Alden--Families of Mr. Wells, Mr. Dunlop, and others--Brutality of the Tories--Family of Mr. Mitchell--The monster Newberry--Departure of the enemy with their captives--A night of gloom--Women and children sent back--Letter of Butler to Gen. Schuyler--Murder of Mrs. Campbell's mother--Vindication of Brant--Interesting incident--Brant's opinion of Capt. McKean--Colonel John Butler laments the conduct of his son--Letter of General James Clinton to Walter Butler--Letter of Butler in reply--Molly Brant--Particulars of Mrs. Campbell's captivity--Feast of thanksgiving for their victory--The great feast of the White Dogs--Return of Walter Butler from Quebec--Col. Butler negotiates with the Indians for Mrs. Campbell--She goes to Niagara--Catharine Montour and her sons--Mrs. Campbell finds her children--Descends the St. Lawrence to Montreal--Meets Mrs. Butler--Arrives at Albany, and is joined by her husband--Grand campaign projected--Jacob Helmer and others sent privately to Johnstown for the iron chest of Sir John--Execution of Helmer--Arrival of British Commissioners--Not received--Exchange of Ministers with France--Incidents of the war elsewhere for the year. 369