Show stories of INDIANS by ELMO SCOTT WATSON ijaz western bijur union KING HENDRICK TRADES AN EMPIRE FOR A COAT never NO 0 OTHER white man in history ever had more influence ver over the red man than sir william johnson colonial superintendent superintend eriL of indian affairs at his baronial mansions I 1 in n western new york the hall and the castle he received members of the iroquois confederacy ns as equals and it was ills his influence which made them allies of the english instead of the french during the fienco and in indian d ian war one of the chiefs who frequently visited johnson hall was a mohawk LI named king hendrick one day sir william received from england some richly embroidered clothing king hendrick lck was present when it was unpacked and the gaudy attire caught the fancy of the red man the next morning lie he approached sir william brother I 1 had bad a dream lie announced noun ced indeed replied johnson what did my red brother dream T 1 I dreamed that you gave me one of those fine coats sat said the aloha mohawk w k and sir william greatly aroused gave him the garment some time later johnson visited hendricks camp they smoked awhile in silence brother I 1 had a dream dreary last night finally stated johnson what did my pale faced brother dream asked the chief 1 I dreamed that this tract of land was mine and sir william described a square of the richest land and in the mohawk valley containing nearly acres hendrick ni as completely taken aback by the enormity of tile the request but he could not be outdone in generosity ero sity after a moment he said brother the land Is yours but he earnestly you must not dream again I 1 by playing indian on hendrick sir william had acquired land which made him one of the largest landholders in the colonies during the french tina ana indian war johnson persuaded king hendrick to join him in marching against an invading force of 2000 preach under general Dlesk Dl eskan ati who was coming from canada on september 8 1755 they met the french at lake george when johnson decided to 0 o detach a part of his force for a flank attack he asked king hendrick if lie he thought a certain number would be enough it if they are to fight they are too few replied the chief if they are to be kil killed lIed they are too many acting upon this advice sir william kept his force together and attacked A great battle followed in which king hendrick was killed while fighting bravely at the head of his warriors |