212 The Winning of the West 



they intended thenceforth to put all their prisoners 

 to death. 27 



Crawford was tied to the stake in the presence of 

 a hundred Indians. Among them were Simon 

 Girty, the white renegade, and a few Wyandots. 

 Knight, Crawford's fellow-captive, was a horrified 

 spectator of the awful sufferings which he knew 

 he was destined by his captors ultimately to share. 

 Crawford, stripped naked, and with his hands bound 

 behind him, was fastened to a high stake by a strong 

 rope; the rope was long enough for him to walk 

 once or twice round the stake. The fire, of small 

 hickory poles, was several yards from the post, so 

 as only to roast and scorch him. Powder was shot 

 into his body, and burning fagots shoved against 

 him, while red embers were strewn beneath his feet. 

 For two hours he bore his torments with manly 

 fortitude, speaking low, and beseeching the Al- 

 mighty to have mercy on his soul. Then he fell 

 down, and his torturers scalped him, and threw 

 burning coals on his bare skull. Rising, he walked 

 about the post once or twice again and then died. 

 Girty and the Wyandots looked on, laughing at his 

 agony, but taking no part in the torture. When the 

 news of his dreadful fate was brought to the set- 

 tlements, it excited the greatest horror, not only 

 along the whole frontier, but elsewhere in the coun- 

 try; for he was widely known, was a valued friend 

 of Washington and was everywhere beloved and 

 respected. 



27 Do. Dec. i, 1782. 



