party to punishment according to the
rule- of war he could secure respite tor his sorely pressed followers,
with the ultimate hope that they might he allowed to remain in their
1 Report of Agent I). M. Wisdom, Report "i [ndian Commissioner, p. 159, 189S.
ge 131.
158 MYTHS OF THE CHEROKEE [eth.ann.19
own country, whereas if he rejected the offer the whole force of the
seven thousand troops which hud now completed the work of gather-
ing up and deporting the rest of the tribe would be set loose upon his
own small hand until the last refugee had been either taken or
killed.
U'tsala turned the proposition in his mind long and seriously. His
heart was hitter, for his wife and little son had starved to death on the
mountain side, but he thought of the thousands who werealready on
their Long march into exile and then he looked round upon his little
band of followers. If only they might stay, even though a few must
lie sacrificed, it was better than that all should die — for they had sworn
never to leave their country. He consented and Thomas returned to
report to General Scott.
Now occurred a remarkable incident which shows the character of
Thomas and the masterly influence which he already had over the
Indians, although as yet he was hardly more than thirty years old. It
was known that Charley and his party were in hiding in a cave of the
Great Smokies, at the head of Deep creek, but it was not thought
likely that he could be taken without hloodshed and a further delay
which might prejudice the whole undertaking. Thomas determined