.n^ ^ \'^ ^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) '/ 7 ^•^ r/, % 1.0 |2.5 M. ..n mil 2.0 1.1 IV^I Ji& 1.25 1.4 1 1 A A" o ■ — ► % <^ /^ 7 ->. ew >> j> !^.% //a ''^ '/ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716 872-4503 L1>^ \ V \\ "% V % ^ CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical IVIicroreproductions / Institut canadien de microreproductions historiques Cv Technical and Bibliographic Notaa/Notat tachniquaa at biblioflraphlquaa Th to Tha Inttituta haa attamptad to obtain tha baat original copy availabia for filming. Fiaturafc of thia copy which may bu bibllographlcally unlqua, which may altar any of tha imagaa in tha raproductlon, or which may sionificantly changa tha uaual mathod of filming, ara chackad balow. 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Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppldmentaires; L'Institut a microfilm^ le mellleur exemplaire qu'll lui a 4ti possible de se procurer. Las ddtails de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du point de vue bibliographlque. qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger i SON, SOLD ALSa By all Other BookseUen. 1809. V' '' y ■ 1 J' i 1 ) .^J•|i ^.^^} y ) \ t -,,■ ■.H ' ■*■. f' 'i f vJ I ' ';^ '' ,./ i' »'» «,';•. ; ; » <» \^ Ti *. i»-"?t,« fv s.1wvii,,;p..»-. t i' ^ ir» • ./ »» . '■7 .f' A in /• :V I .r.;; ¥ V . %" THE UNFORTUNATE BUT HEEOlC MIGHLANBEB. ••K>^-0*« M X Jl WAS born in that part of our island which is called the North of Scotland. The country there, partly from the barrenness of the soil and the inclemency of the seasons, and partly from other causes which I will not now enu- merate, is unfavourable to the existence of its inhabitants. More than half the year our mountains arc covered with continual snows, which prohibit the use of agricult-ure, or blast the expectations of an harvest. Yet the race ' of men which inhabit these dreary wilds, are, perhaps, not more undeserving the smiles of fortune than many of their happier neighbours. A3 T k 1^1 J] 6 THE HIGHLANDER. Accustomed to a lite of toil and hardship, their bodies are braced by the incessant difliculties they have to encounter; and tiieir minds re- main untainted by the example of their more luxurious neighbours. They are bred up from infancy with a deference and respect for their parents, and with a mutual spirit of endear- ment towards theii: equals, wh\ch I have not remarked in happier climates. Thcs^ circum- stances expand and elevate the mind, and attach the highljwBfers to their native mountains with a warmth of affection which is scarcely known in the midst of j^olished cities and ci^ltivatecji countries. Every man there is, more or less, acquainted with the history of his clan, and the martial exploits which they have performed. In the winter season wc sit around the blazing li^ht of our fireSj and commemorate the glorious actions of our q.ncestors; the children catch the sound, and consider themselves as interested i^ supporting the honour of a nation, which is yet unsullied in the annals of th^ world, and resolve to transmit it equally pure to their p^s^e- rity. With tbesQ irppre^i^ipns, whipl^, wei-g^e earliest I c^n remember, yau cannot; wpnder ,5r *.. A" 4* ■t y that! prist ' .*^.*-^ TlIK IIIGIfL^yDlll. I that I should early imbibe a spirit of enter- prise, aqd a love of arms. ■■'»■■ My father was, indeed, poor; but ^c \kSL^ been himself a soldier, and therefore did not so^ strenuously oppose my growing inclinatio^i?., lie, indeed, set before me the little chance \ should have of promotion, and the innu^nerublck difficulties of my intended proli^'ssiq^. Qut, what werp di^cuUies to a youth brought i^p ^o, subsist upon a handful of oatmeal, tM^U^k the^ waters of the strcai^, and to sleep, sllrouded ii^ my pl^dy beneath the arch of an impending roclf . When, there(oi:e, my father saw that tho. (determined bent si my teniper was towards a^ military life, he thought it vain to oppose my inclinations. He even, perhaps, involuntarily cherished them, by explairiing to rae, during the long leisure of ou^r dreary winter, som^ books which treated of military sciences and, ancient history. From these I imbibed an early love of truth ajnd honoui;, which I hope has not abandoned, me since ; and, by teaching me' vvhaL:J^Xa.ve and vi;:tuQua n\en hav^ suffered, iiv. «||pSEi^e arid country, they have, perhaps, pre-; vente4 ip^ feo«i eixtirply ^inlfipg ^^cte^ iny l^m «» ^■ .>-.a. J '■■i i 1 TII£ IIIGIItAKDER. V One night in the autumn of the year, as we were seated round the embers of our fire, wc heard a knocking at the door. IMy father rose, and a man of a majestic presence came in, and requested permission to pass the niglit in our cottage. He told us he was an I^nglish officer wlio had long been stationed in the high- lands; but now, upon the breaking out of war, he had been sent for in haste to London, whence he was to embark for America, as soon as he rould be joined by his regiment. " This," said he, " has been the reason of my travelling later than prudence permits in a mountainous country, with which I am imperfectly acquainted. I have unfortunately lost my way, and, but for your kindness," added he, SiffHing, " I must here begin my campaign, and pass the night upon a bed of heath, amid the mountains." My father rose and received the officer with all the cour- tesy he was able; for in Scotland every man thinks himself honoured by being permitted to exercise his hospitality: he told him his accommodations were mean and poor, but what he had was*, heartily at his service. He then sent me to look after his visitor's horse, and set before him some milk and oaten bfead^ which as we re, vvc :.i ■A .»* , **,. «^ i, /»■ « .A *. ^ .» iti \ ,y .■**. »»'» t • . .^jO,' THE IIIOIILANnFR. 11 ^trc all the dainties we posMss^d: our guest, however, sccined to iced upon it witli un appe- tite us keen as if ho had been educated in the hij:;hlauds; and, what I could not help remarking with antonishnient, altiiough \m air and nuuuiers pmvod that he could be no 8tranp;cr to a more delicate way of living, not a sin^h^ word fell from him that intimated he had ever been used to better fare. During the evening;, he enter- tained us with varioufi accounts of the dangers he had already escaped, and the service he had I seen. He particularly described the manners of the savage tribes he was going to encounter in America, and the nature of their warfare. All this, accompanied with the tone and look of a man that was familiar with great events, and had borne a considerable share in all he related, so inflamed my military ardour, that I was no longer capable of repressing it. The stranger perceived it, and, looking at me with an air of tenderness and compassion, asked if that young man was intended for the service? My colour rose, and my heart immediately swelled at the [question ; the look and manner of our guest had strangely interested me in his favour, and the na- ♦ s , I 12 tiki iiiaiitivmii. n ,1 m turaTgfac^ aiid simplicity with which he related his own exploits, put me in mind of the great men of other times. Could I but march under the fejt^rtners of such a leader, I thought, nothing ^ould be too arduous to be achieved. I saw i tong perspective before me of combats, diffi* culties, and dangers; something, however, whis- pered to tny mind that I should be successful in the end, and support the reputation of our ridnie and clan, j^iill of these ideas, I sprang forwards at the question, and told the officer that the darling passion of rhy life Would be to bear arms under a chief like him ; artd that, if he would suffer me to inlist utider his Com- mand, I should be ready to justify his kindncssf by patiently supporting every hardship, and facing every danger. " Young man," replied he, Mrith a look of kind Concern, " there is ribt an of- ficer in the army that wbuld not be proud of such ji recr'uit; btit t should ill repay the hos- pitality I have I'eceived from your piai'ents, if I suffered you to be deceived in youf Opinion of the military profession." He thfen set before mC; in the strongest language, all the hdrdships' which would be my Ibtj the daggers of the THE HIGULAXDSE. 23 field, the pestilence of camps, the slow consum- ing languor of hospitals, the insolence of com- mand, the mortification o^ subordination, and the i^ncertainty that the exertions of oven a long life would ever lead to the least promotion. "All this," replied I, trembling with fear that my father should take advantage of these too just representations to refuse his consent, " I km^w be- fore; but I feel an irresistible impulse within me, which compels me to the field. The die is cast for life or death, and I will abide by the chance that now occurs. If you, Sir, refuse me, I will however inlist with the first officer that will accept me; for I will no longer wear out life amid the solitude of these surrounding mountains, without even a chance of meriting applause or distinguishing my name." ^ The officer then desisted from his opposition, and turning to my parents, asked them if it were with tiieir consent that 1 was going to inlist. My mother burst into tears, and my sisters hung about me, weeping : my father re- plied, with a deep sigh, " I have long expe- rienced that it is vain to oppose the decrees of Providence. Could my persuasions have avail- fli 'i \ ff 1 i ". I' ;-'-.M :' ■ '^l (t -; ■J ,1 u THE HIGHLANDER. i| li ^ . 'i'i'' C(l, he would have remained contented in these mountains ; but that is now impossible, at least till he has purchased wisdom at the price of his blood. If, therefore, Sir, you do not despise his youth and mien, take him with you, and let him have the advantage of your example. I have been a soldier myself; and I can assure you, with truth, that I have never seen an oflficcr under whom I would more gladly march than yourself." Our guest made a polne reply to my father, and instantly agreed to receive me. He then pulled out a purse, and, offering it to my father, said, " The common price of a recruit is now live guineas ; but, so well am I satisfied with the appearance of your son, and the confidence you repose in me, that I must insist upon your accepting what is contained in this pui'se; you will dispose of it as you please for your mutual advantage. Before I depart to-morrow, I will give such directions as may enable him to join the regiment, which is now preparing to march.'' He then requested that he might retire to rest, and my father would have resigned the only bed he had in the house to his guest; but he abso ,iV i- t, ■■ •r;-' ■:*-<-«-'^ \lf ■ <■ '■■4, \yv \i I, « " 1 ^j^l^-' ■ '\ i- ' .' ''<%.. (' ■ M^ ^ • ■"''. '\ T- ■ . . J ! '':-->..* ^'•^;: -^ 1 . f / \ inr ^ 1 1 ( ' * ':B' ' ,/• ■ \% ' ^"./\ . ■ ' u ^ 'ixli \ ^•i V-\ .. i THE HIGHLANDER. ir lutely refused, and said, " Would you shame me in the eyes of my new recruit? What is a soldier good for, that cannot sleep without a bed? The time will soon arrive, when I shall think a comfortable roof and a little straw an enviable luxury/' I, therefore, raised him as convenient a couch as I was able to make with heath and straw, and, wrapping himself up in his riding-coat, he threw himself down upon it, and slept till morning. With the first dawn of day he rose and departed, having first given me the directions which were necessary to enable me to join the regiment : but before he went, my father, who was equally charmed with his generosity and manners, pressed him to take back part of the money he had given us ; this, however, he absolutely refused, and left us full of esteem and admiration. ' ' ' - I will not repeat the affecting scene I had to undergo, in taking leave of my family and, friends. It pierced me to the very heart ; and then, for the first time, I almost repented at being so near the accomplishment of my wishes. I was, however, engaged, and determined to fulfil my engagement ; I therefore tore myself f\ i I B 3 / ...,t' I;-' J^^^*- \9 TUB HIGHLANDER. I (. ii II" 'U from my family, having with difficulty prevailed upon my father to accept of part of the money I had received for my enrolment. I will not trespass upon your time to describe the tariou^ emotions which I felt at the crowd of new sen- sations which entered my mind along our march. I arrived without any accident at London, tho splendid capital of this kingdom ; but I could QOt there restrain my astonishment to see an im» inense people talking of wounds, of death, of battles, sieges, and conquests, in the midst of feasts, and balls, and puppet-shows ; and calm- ly devoting thousands of their fellow-creatuv«8 to perish by famine or the sword, while they considered the loss of a dinner, or the endurance of a shower, as an exertion too great for humaii fortitude. I soon embarked, and arrived, without aily othier accident than an horrible sickness, at the place of our destination in America. Uete I joiaed my gallant officer. Colonel Siminonsy who had performed the voyage in another sfeip; This gentleman was, with justice, the most be^ loved, and the most deserving to be so, of any dffieer I hare ever kiiowni InflexiUe in every V4 THE HIOHLANDER^ 19 thing that concerned the honour of the service^ he never pardoned wilful misbebayi')Ur, because be knew that it was incompatible with military discipline ; yet, whi^ oblitred to punish, he did it with such reluctance, that he Seemed to suffer almost as much us the criminal. But, if hit reason imposed this just and necessary severity^ his heart had taught him another lesson, in re^ spect to the private distresses of his men : he visited them in their sicknesses, relieved their miseries, and was a niggard of nothing but hu- man blood ; — but I ought to correct myself in that expression, for he was rashly lavish of his own, and to that we owe his untimely loss. j I had not been long in America before the colonel, who was perfectly acquainted with the language and manners of the savage tribes that border upon the British colonies, was sent upon &n embassy to one of their nations, for the pur- pose of soliciting their alliance with Britain. It may, perhaps, be not uninteresting, if I here give SK>me account of a people whose manners* 4nd customs are so much the reverse of what you see at home. As my worthy officer, there- fore^ contented with my assiduity and imprbv^ ti i ^ ;> •#.' 20 THE IlIOIILANDER. i k i mcnt in military knowlcd«j;c, pormittod me to have the honour of attendinc; him, I will dc- scrihc some of the most curious facts which I was witness to. '^ * *f ; You have, doubtless, heard many accounts of the surprising increase of the English co- lonies in America; and, when we reflect that it is scarcely an hundred years since some of them were established, it must be confessed ^hat they have made rapid improvements in clearing the ground of woods, and bringing it to cultivation. Yet, much as they have already done, the country is yet an immense forest, except immediately upon the coasts. These forests extend, on every side, to a distance that no human sagacity or observation has been able to determine. They abound in every species of tree which you see in England, to which may be added a great variety more which are unknown with us. Under their shade is ge- nerally found a rich luxurious herbage, which serves for pasture to a thousand herds of ani- mals. Here are seen elks, a kind of deer of the largest size, and buffaloes, a species of wild ox, by thousands; and even horses, which, hav- 4 ■ > THE lIICITLANDEll. CI ing been brigiimlly brought over by the Spa- niards, imve escaped from their settlements and multiplied in the woods. ,„ . . But the greatest curiosity of all this country is, in my opinion, the various tribes or nation! which inhabit it. Bred up from their infancy to a life of equal hardiness with the wild ani- mals, they aix? almost as robust in their consti- ^ tutions. These various tribes inhabit little villages which generally urc seated upon th# banks of rivers, and, though thoy cultivate smalt portions of land around their towns, they seek the greater part of their subsistence from th^ chase. In their persons they arc rather tall and slender, but admirably well proportioned and active, and their colour is a pale red, exact- ly resembling copper. ' Thus accustomed to roam about the woods, and bfave the inclemen- cies of the weather, as well as continually ex* posed to the attacks of their enemies, they acquire a degree of courage and fortitude whicli can scarcely be conceived. It is nothing td them to pass whole days without a morsel of food, to lie whole nights upon. the bare damp ground, and to swim the widest rivers in th<^ i I S 22 Til£ HIGIILANDEa. * iv depth of winter. Money, indeed, and the greatiT purt of what we call the conveniences of life, they are unacquainted with; nor can they conceive that one man should serve ano- ther, merely because he has a few pieces of 8hining metal; they imap;ine that the only just distinctions arise from superior courage and bodily perfections, and therefore these alone are able to en^a^e their esteem. I shall never forget the contempt which one of their chiefs expressed at seeing an officer, who was rather corpulent, at the head of his men: " What fools," said he, " are these Europeans, to be commanded by a man who is so unwieldy that he can neither annoy his enemies nor defend his friends, and who is only fit to be a scullion T When they are at peace, they exercise the virtue of hospitality to a degree that might ihame more polished nations: if a stranger arrives at any of their towns, he enters into the first habitation he pleases, and is sure to be en- tertained with all the family possess. In this manner he might journey from one end of the continent to the other, and never fail a friendly reception. ,.'*■• T ^■ ,(:'. 'W- ■' ■ m THE lIIGIILANP£ar 23 But if tlioir nuinners are gentle in peace, they are more dreadful when provoked than all the wildest animals of the forest. Bred up from infancy to suffer no restraint, and to give an unbounded loose to all their passions, they know not what it is to forgive an injury. They love their tribe with a degree of affection that is totally unknown in every other country; for that, they are ready to sutler every hardship and danger ; wounds, id pain, and death, they despise, as often as the interest of their country is concerned; but the same attachment renders them implacable and unforgiving to all their enemies: in short, they seem to have all the vir- tues and the vices of the ancient Spartans. To one of these tribes, called the Ottigamies^ was Colonel Simmons sent ambassador, accom- panied by a few more officers, and some private men, among whom I had the honour to be in- cluded. We pursued our march for several days through forests which seemed to be of equal duration with the world itself. Sometimes we were shrouded in such obscurity, from the thickness of the covert, that we could scarcely see the light of heaven; sometimes we emerged I' < 'f^ — : U Tll£ lllOIILANnEB. ' ■!'* t, I ', J,' ( i Hiin I into spacious mc^adows, biirc of tnxs, nnd cov^r- cil with the most luxuriant herbage, on which were; feeding iinmensi* herds of hutVuloos; these, M noon as they snulVed the approach of men, which they are capable of doin^ even at a con- sidcrublo dibtiince, ran with precipitation into the fturroundinf; woods. Many, however, fell beneath our attack, and served us for food during our journey. At length we came to a wide and rapid river, upon whoso banks wo found a party of friendly sava«j;es, with some of whom we embarked upon canoes, made of the bark of trees, to proceed to the country of the Ottigamies. After three days incessant rowing, we entered a spacious lake, upon whose banks were en- camped a considerable part of the nation we sought. As we approached the shore, they saluted us with a volley of balls from their muskets, which whistled just above our heads, without producing mischief. 1 and several o£ the soldiers instantly seized our arms, imagining it to be an hostile attack ; but our leader quieted our apprehensions, by informing u». Ihat this was only a friendly salute, with which TUB HIOIILAVDXR. «5 a nation of wjirriom rcccivnl and welcomed their alliens. VVc landed, and were insttanrly , conduct'd to the assembly of the chief**, wK"- were hitting upon the ground, without external pomp or ceremony, witli their arms beside them; but there was in their countenances and eyi»s an expression of ferocious grantU'ur, which would have daunted the boldest European. Yes, I have seen the greatest and most powerful men in my own country; I have seen them adorned with every external circumsttince of dress, and pomp, and equipage, to inspire re- spect; but never did I see any thing which so completely awed the soul, as the angry scowl and fiery glance of a savage American. As soon as our leader entered the circle bo produced the calumet or pipe of peace. This is the universal mark gf friendship and allianco among all the barbarous nations of America; and he that bears it, is considered with so much respect, that his person is always safe. This calumet is nothing but a long and slender pipe, ornamented with the most lively and beautiful feathers, which are ingeniously fixed along tho tube. The bole is composed of a peculiar kind' y V •7 '•I i if V \ ■/^' y t6 THE IIIGIILANDER. k 'IT^ h\ of reddish marble, and filled with scented herbs and tobacco. Colonel Simmons lighted his pipe with great solemnity, and turning the bole first towards the heavens, then to the earth, then in a circle round him, he began to smoke. In the mean time the whole assem- bly sat with mute attention, waiting to hear his proposals; for, though we call them savages, yet, in some respects, they well deserve to be imitated by more refined nations. In all their meetings and assemblies, the greatest order and regularity prevail; whoever rises to speak, is sure of bemg patiently heard to the end, without the least interruption. Our leader then began to harangue them in their own language, with which he was well acquainted. I did not un- derstand what past, but it was afterwards ex- plained to me, that he set before their eyes the injuries they had mutually received from the French, and the tribes in their alliance. He told them that their great father, for so these people called the King of Britain, had taken up the hatchet of war, and was sending an innume- rable band of warriors to punish the insults of his enemies. He told them that he had or- * v.. X . 'K'' ) r. M If ■ * I -I*:. 1 !§■■ Colonel Simmons addressing the Ottigamies. C" ^'M :■ 'i t i fi I i I } , If ■*r- . 'h ■ X/ ■.*■}■ - . -, t>, «-.■. !?fJ ■'V; N ■i| I «' fc v^ THE HIGHLANDER. 29 dcred him to visit the Ottigamies, his dutiful children, and smoke with them the pipe of peace. He invited their young men to join the warriors that came from beyond the ocean, and "who were marching to bury the bones of their brethren, who had been killed by their mutual foes. When he had concluded, he flung upon the ground a curious string of shells, which is called the belt of Wampum. This is a neces- sary circumstance in all the treaties made with these tribes. Whoever comes as an ambassador, brings one with him to present to the people whose friendship is solicited, and if the belt is accepted, the proposed alliance is considered as entered into. As soon as our leader had finish- ed, a chief of a stature superior to the common race of men, and of a most determined look, jumped into the middle of the assembly, and, taking up the belt, cried out in their language : ** Let us march, my brethren, wUh the young men of our great father. Let us dig up the hatchet of warj and revenge the bones of our countrymen. They lie unburied, and cry* to us for vengeance. We will not be deaf to their cries; we will shake of all delays; we will ap- c 3 t 30 THE IIIGHLANDBR. 1^' r U ii< prove ourselves worthy of our ancestors. We will drink the blood of our enemies, and spread a feast of carnage for the fowls of the air and the wild beasts of the forest.'' This resolution was universally approved by the whole nation, who consented to the war with a ferocious joy. The assembly was then dissolved, and the chiefs prepared for their intended march, according to the manners of their country. All the savage tribes that inhabit America arc accustomed to very little clothing. Inured to the inclemen- cies of the weather, and being in the constant exercise of all their limbs, they cannot bear the restraint and confinement of an European dress; the greater part of their bodies, therefore, is naked, and this they paint in various fashions, to give additional terror to their looks. When the chiefs were tjius prepared, they cauie from their tents, and the last solemnity I was witness to, was dancing the dance of war, and singing the song of death. But what words can convey an adequate idea of the furious movements and expressions which animated them through the whole of this performance? Every man was armed with a kind of hatchet^ which is their TItK tIICItLA)rDER. h\ usual weapon in battle, and called a tomakawk. This he held in his hand, and brandished through the whole of the dreadful spectacle. As they went on, their faces kindled into an expression of anger, which would have daunted the boldest spectator. Their gestures seemed to be inspired by frantic rage and implacable animosity. They moved their bodies with the mrst violent agitations, and it was easy to see they represented all the circumstances of a real combat. They seemed to be engaged in close or distant battle, and brandished their weapons with so much fury, that you would have imar gined they were going every instant to hew each other to pieces; nor wo*uld it have been possible, even for the performers themselves of this ter- rific dance, to avoid mutual wounds and slaugh- ter, had they not been endued with that extra- ordinary activity which is peculiar to savage nations. By intervals they increased the horrid solemnity of the exhibition, by uttering yells that would have pierced an European ear with horror. I have seen rage and fury under va- rious forms, and in different parts of the globe, but I raiLt confess, that every thing I haVe seen li ii hi I w .» 32 THE niOIItAKDlR. J m Kill elsewhere. IS feeble and contemptible when compared with this day's spectacle. When the wliole was finished, they entertained us at a public festival in their cabins, and when we de- parted, dismissed us with these expressive wishes : they prayed that the Great Spirit would favour us with a prosperous voyage; that he would give us an unclouded sky and smooth waters by day, and that we might lie down at night on a beaver blanket, enjoying uninterrupted sleep and pleasant dreams; and that we might find continual protection under the great pipe of peace. f I will not fatigue you with a recital of all the events I was engaged in, during the progress of the war. The description of blood and car- nage is always disagreeable to a humane mind; .and though the perversity of mankind may sometimes render war a necessary evil, the remembrance of its mischiefs is always painful. I will only mention one event, continually la- mented in the annals of this country, because it is connected with the untimely fate of my noble friend and gallant leader. It was- determined by those who governed, ^«..^^ „. 1*;: THE IIIOULANDER. $s •n ic a ic- |s: ir Id >y a that wc should march through the woods upon a distant expedition against the Trench. The conduct of this enterprise was given to a brave but rash commander, totally unacquainted with the people he had to oppose, and unskilled in the nature of a savage war. Wc therefore began our march through the same trackless wilds I have described. We proceeded for se- veral days, without any other difficulties thun the nature of the country itself produced, and without seeing the face of an enemy. It wa« in vain that the officci's of tire greatest expe- rience, and particularly my worthy colonel, suggested to our commander the necessity of using every precaution against a dangerous and insidious foe. War is not managed, amid the forests of America, in the same manner as it is conducted upon the plains of Europe. Th6 temper of the people there conspires with the nature of the country, to render it a continual scene of stratagems and surprise. Unincum- bered with tents, or baggage, or numerous trains of artillery, the hostile warriors set out in small and chosen parties, with nothing but tbeir arms, and are continually upon the watch »ii 'I '.i r \ y ^.■,4' THE IIIOIILANDCR. their Long has enemies. L.ong experience them a dogrci; of sagacity in traversing woods, which to us is inconceivable. Nei- ther the widest rivers, nor the most extensive forests, can retard th(*m for an instant. A march of a thousand niih*s is scarcely to them a greater difhculty, than the passage of an Eu- ropean army between two neighbouring towns. The woods themselves afford them a continual supply of provisions, in the various animals which they kill by the chase. When they arc near their enemies, they frequently lurk all day in thickets, for fear of a discovery, and pursue their march by night. Hundreds of them sometimes pursue their coui'se in the same line, treading only \n each others steps, and the last of the party carefully covers over the impres- sions which his fellows have made. When they are thus upon the point of accomplishing their purpose, the very necessities of nature are un*- heeded ; they cease to fire upon the beasts of the f «^rest, lest it should alarm the foe ; they feed upon roots, or the bark of trees, or pass succes- sive days in a perfect abstinence from food. All this our colonel represented to the general, THE V'.OIILANDER. 35 as and conjured him, with the strongest entreaties, not to hu/urd the safety of our army by an in- cautious progress. lie advised him lo send out numerous detachments to bent the bushes and examine the woods; and offered himself to se- cure the march of the army. But presumption is always blind; our general was unacquainted with any other than European warfare, and could not conceive that naked savages would dare to attack an army of two thousand disci- plined troops. One morning tho way before us appeared more intricate and obscure than com- mon ; the forests did not, as usual, consist of lofty trees, which afford a tolerable clear prospect between their trunks, but were composed of creeping bushes and impervious thickets. The army marched, as usual, with the vain osten- tation of military discipline, but totally unpre- pared for the dreadful scene which followed. At length we entered a gloomy valley, sur- rounded on every side by the thickest shade, and rendered swampy by the overflowings of a little rivulet. In this situation it was impos- sible to continue our march without disor- dering our ranks; and part of the army extend- 'i; ill !( f ( ?> i)|A > 7- iS THE niOIILAVDEtt. • ed itself beyond the rest, while another part of the line involuntarily ft^ll behind. In the tnoment while the oflicers were employed in rectifying the disorder of their men, a sudden noise of musketry was heard in front, which stretched about twenty of our men upon the field. The soldiers instinctively fired towards the part whence they were attacked, and instantly fell back in disorder. But it was equally vain to rctreat or go forward, for it now appear- ed that we were completely hemmed in. On every side resounded the fatal peals of scattering ftre, that thinned our ranks and extended our bravest comrades on the earth. Figure to your- self a shoal of fishes inclosed within the net, that circle in vain the fatal labyrinth in which they are involved; or rather conceive, what I have myself been witness to, an herd of deer surrounded on every side by a band of active end unpitying hunters, that press and gall them on every side, and exterminate them at leisure in their flight. Just such was l4ie situa- tion of our unfortunate countrymen. After a few unavailing discharges, which never annoyed a secret enemy that scattered death unseeDy TUB IlIOilLANDER. S7 lart llie in len icil the he Itly the ranks were broken, and all subordlnntioi^ lost. The ground wust covorrd with gM-nping wretches, and stained with bloud; the ^oods resounded with cries and groans, und fruitless attempts of our gallant oilicers to rally their men and check the progress of the enemy. By intervals was hi^ard, more shrill, more dreaifful than all the rest, the dismal yell of the victori*- ous savages, that now, emboldened by their success, began to leave the covert, and hew down those who fled with unrelenting cruelty. As to myself, the description which our colonel had given me of their method of attack, and the precautions to be used against it, rendered me perhaps less disturbed than I should other- wise have been. I remarked that those who stood and those who fled were exposed to equal danger; those who kept their rank, and en- deavoured to repel the enemy, exposed their persons to the fire and were successively shot down, as happened to most of our unfortunate officers; while those who fled, frequently rushed headlcmg upon the very death they sought to avoid. Pierced to the heart at the sight of such a caraa^ of my gallant comrades, I grew iod^* !'/ ■'i, '-'..,. .' .18 THE HIGHLANDER. fcrcnt to life, and abandonoJ myHclf to despair; but it was a despair that neither impaired my exertions nor robbed me of the faculties of my min<}. " Imitate me," I cried, *' my gallant coun- trymen, and we shall yet be safe." I then di- roctly ran to the nearc»st tree, and sheltered my- self behind its stem; convinced that this pre- caution alone could secure mc from the inces- sant vol lies which darted on every side. A small number of highlanders followed my ex- ample, and, thus secured, we began tc fire with more success at the enemy, who now exposed themselves with less reserve. This check seem- ed to astonish and confound' them; and, had not the panic been so general, it is possible that this successful effort mii^ht have changed the fortune of the fight; fur in another quarter the provincial troops that accompanied us behaved with the greatest bravery, and, though deserted by the European forces, effected their own re- treat. But it w.iij now too late to hope for victory or even safety : the ranks were broken on every side^ the greater part of our officers slain or wounded, and our unfortunate general had cjpiated with his life his fatal rashness. I i '»», \.,^-.-fr.'i«Ji,.-.4'. . « -jyv iir; Imy my un- di- ly. ;c»8- i '^*m. r 0r . , II V ( 1 ex- ith sed L'ln- not that the the vcd ted re- ory cry or lad M •>! "-* t: / f • '«! iV\ • * I • ^ y T he Hi| ghlander's Attack en the In • .*■■"' t dia ms. V THE HIGHLANDER, 41 cast my eyes around, and saw nothing but images of death, and horror, and frantic rage. Yet even then the safety of my noble colonel was dearer to me than my own. 1 sought him for some time in vain, amid the various scenes of carnage which surrounded me. At lengthy 1 discovered him at a distance, almost deserted by his men, yet still attempting to renew the fight, and heedless of the wounds which covered him. Transported with grief and passion, I im- mediately darted forward to offer him my feeble support; but, in the very instant of my arrival, he leceived a straggling ball in his bosom, and, tottering to a tree, supported his fair.ting limbs against the trunk. Just in that moment, three of our savage enemies observed his situatioh and marked him for their prey; they raised their hidf JUf yell, and darted upon him with the speed and fierceness of wolves. Fury then took possession of my soul; had I possessed a thousand lives I should havr held them cheap in the balance: I fired with so unerring an £im that I stretch jd the foremost on the earth; the second received the point of my bayonet in his breast, and fell in the pangs of deaths the M ' , • \<* [ 4i THE niOIILANDER. Hft: third, daunted with the fate of his companions,' turned his stcpz another way. Just then a , horse, that had lost his rider, was galloping along the wood; I bounded across the path, and, seizing him by the bridle, instantly led him to my leader, and conjured him to preserve hi^ glorious life. He thanked me in the most affec- tionate manner for my friendship, but bade me preserve my own life. " As to myself,'' said he, .*M do not wish to survive my country's dis- honour; and, even had I such a wish, the wound^j I have received would render all escape impos sible." " If that is your resolution," said f , " we will die together; for I swear by the eternal ma- jesty of my Creator, that I will not leave you." When he saw me thus resolved he consented to use my assistance, and with infihite difficulty I seated him upon the horse, which, holding by the reins, as I was then light and active, I guided along the wood with no inconsiderable speed. Fortunately for me we were not observ- ^ by any of our savage enemies; so that, ffying through the thickest part of the forest, we left the danger behind, and were soon removed beyond the sight or hearing of the battle. THE HIGHLANDER, 4J a g " Courage,'* said I, " my noble leader, you arc now almost in safety ; and I trust you will yet pr^ serve a life so necessary to your friends and country." He answered me with the kindest expressions, but with a feeble voice: " Camp- bell, I have consented to fly more for the sake of preserving your life, than from any hopes of my own* But since we are at a distance from yonder dreadful sctne, permit me to alight; I iiavc consumed my small remaining force in the way, and now I faint from loss of blood/' He sunk down at this, and would have fallen, but f recdved him in my arms; I bore him to the next thicket, and strewing grass and leaves upon the ground, endeavoured to prepare him a bed. He thanked me again with gratitude and ten- derness, and grasped ray hand as he lay in the Very agonies of death ; for such it was, although I believed he had only fainted, and long trieS* i'very ineffectual method to restore depatrtedi Jjte. Thus was I deprived of the noMest officer and kindest friend that ever deserved the attach- ment of a soldier; tteenty years have now tolled •ver me since that iitauspicious day, yet it liver I I n m. iA 44 TMZ HIGHLANDER. for ever in my remembrance, and never shall b« blotted from my soul*. I sat till night supporting the breathless body of my colonel, and vainly hoping he might return to life. At length I perceived tha^ his noble soul was fled for ever ; my own wounds grew stiff and painful, and exhausted nature re- quired a supply of food. I therefore arose, and finding a spring that trickled down a hill at no gr. '' -^'stance, I refreshed myself by a copious drau^at, and washed the clotted blood away from the hurts i had received;. I then crushed some leaves, which the inhabitants of that country imagine salutary, and bound them, on with bandages I tore from my linen* I also found a few wild fruits, which past experience had taught me were innocent, with which I allayed the pains of hunger. I then return- ed to the thicket, and, creeping into the thickest part, endeavoured to compose myself to rest. Strange as it may appear, neither the forlorn nature of my situation, nor the dangers with which I was beset, were sufficient to keep me awake. My wearied and exhausted body seem*^^ Tn£ HIGHLANDER. 45 ed to triumph over all the agitations of my mind, and I sunk into a sleep as deep and pro- found as that of death itself. I awoke next morning, with the first rays of the sun; but, more composed, I better understood the difficul- ties in which I was involved, and the uncertain- ty of my escape. I was in the midst of an immense desert, totally destitute of human as- sistance or support. Should I meet with any of my fellow-creatures, I could expect nothing but implacable cruelty; and even if I escaped their vigilance, what method had I of finding sub- sistence, or of measuring back without a guide the long and tedious march I had trodden ! Hope, however, and the vigour of my constitution, still supported me. I reflected, that it is the common lot of man to struggle with misfor- tunes; that it is cowardice to yield to evils, when present, the representation of which had not deterred me from voluntarily embracing the profession of a soldier; and that the providence of Heaven was as capable of protecting me in the forests of America, as upon my native moun- tains. I therefore determined to struggle with the difficulties whicji surrounded me to the hstf, * H ■''^sW ^k 46* THE MIGIItANDER. [ and to meet my fortune like a man. Yet^ as I still by intervals beard tbe dismal cries of tbc enemy, and saw tbeir fires at a distance, I lay close till night in the obscurity of my thicket. When all was dark and still, I ventured abroad, and laid in my scanty provision of fruit and herbs, and drank again at the spring. The pain of my wounds began now to abate a little, though I suffered extremely from the cold, as I did not dare to kindle a fire, from the fear of dis- covering myself by its light. Three nights and days did I lead this solitary life, in continual dread of the savage parties which scouted all the woods in pursuit of stragglers, and often past so near my place of retreat, that I gave myself over for lost. At length, upon the fourth even- ing, fancying myself a little restored, and that the activity of the enemy might be abated, I ven- tured out and pursued my march. I scarcely need describe the various difficulties and dan- gers to which I was exposed in such a journey ; however, I still had with me my musket, and as my ammunition was not quite exhausted, I de- pended upon the woods themselves to supply me with food. I travelled the greater part of the ■f '•>■ ,. f ^i THE HIGHLANDER. 47 night, involving myself still deeper in these inex- tricable forests; for I was afraid to pursue tho direction of our former march, as I imagined the savages were dispersed along the country in pursuit of the fugitives. I therefore took a di- • rection, as nearly as I could judge, parallel to the English settlements and inclining to the south. In this manner I forced my way . along the woods all night, and with the morn- ihg had reason to think that I had advanced a , considerable distance. My wounds began now to pain me afresh with this exertion, and com- pelled me to allow myself some repose. I chose out the thickest covert I could find, and, l^hrouding myself as well as I was able, was soon overpowered by sleep. I did not awake till the sun had gained the meridian, and, creep- ing from my retreat, beheld with some degree of terror an enormous rattle-snake, that was coiled up full in my way and seemed determined to oppose my passage. This animal is frequent in the southern colonies, and is the most poison- ous of all the reptiles that haunt the woods. He is in length from two to six feet, beautifully variegated with different colours ; but the most t t 4a TUG HIGH LAN D£a. remarkable circumstance attending himi is a natural noise that he produces with every mo- tion of his tail, and which occasions too his name. I soon destroyed my hissing foe, and, taking courage for the first time to kindle a fire, I roasted him upon Jie embers, and made the most delicious meal I ever remember upon his flesh. The want of food will reconcile us to many meats, which we should scarcely think eatable. Nothing has surprised me more than to see the poor, in various countries, complaining of the scarcity of food, yet throwing away every year thousfknds of carcases of horses, which are full as wholesome and nourishing as beef, and are in many countries preferred to it. But, in gc- neral^ every animal may be eaten, and afford^ a salutary food ; as to snakes, the poison of them is contained in the hollow of their teeth. When ihey bite^ they instil their venom into the wound, which mixes with the bloody and, with- out a timely remedy, destroys the s^ffere^. But if you cut off the bead, the rest of the hody is jiot only wholesome but jpalatable^ ^and I fi^vp Xnown it eaten 39. a delicacy by many ivix9!bitr A I H n ft . B ,( /i • ..•»nf\. ' ;*■ THE HIGHLANDER* 51 antfl of the culoiiics. Thus refreshed, therefore, I pursued my march through the same thick, gloomy country, without meetinj^ the h'ast ap- pearance of any liuman creature; and at night I cut, with an hatchet that I had about me, some boughs, with which I erected a temporary shelter. The next day, as I was pursuing my march, I saw a deer bound by me, upon whoso shoulders was fixed a fierce and destructive ani- mal that resembles a tiger. This creature, which is about the si/e of a moderate dog, as- cends the trees and hides himself among tho branches, till a deer, or any other animal that he can master, passes within his reach. He then darts himself, with a sudden spring, full upon the neck or shoulders of the unfortunate animal, which he continues tearing with so much vio- lence that he soon dispatches him. This was actually the case with the poor deer that past me; for he had not run an hundred yards, be- fore he fell down in the agonies of death, and his destroyer began to regale himself upon the- prey. I instantly saw that this was a lucky opportunity of supplying myself with food for several days; I therefore ran towards the ani- U 'I * t; I: U i< r ;) 6i THE IIIOIILANOEK. I» mal, and, by a violent shout, made him abandon his victim and retire growling into the woods. I then kindled a fire with leaves and sticks, and, cutting oi\' a largi I should again conceal myself in the woods, or deliver myself up to their mercy. But I con- sidered that it was impossible long to continue this wandering life; and that, in the end, I must have recourse to some of these savage tribes for assistance. What, therefore, must be done at last, it was fruitless to delay; I had every rea- son to imagine that the people before me must either be rd.vourable to Great Britain, or at least indifferent to the war, and in either case, from the experience I possessed of the manners of the natives, I did not think I had much to fear. I therefore determined to hazard every thing upon the probability of a favourable reception ; and, collecting all my resolution, I marched boldly forward, and soon arrived at the en- campment. As soon as I entered the village the women and children gauicred round me, with the curiosity natural to mankind j t the sight oi an unaccustomed object. I formed a favour ble conjecture from this apparent ignorance o^ Europeans, and, walking on with a coi posed step and steady countenance, I at length enter- ed into one of the largest cabins I couM Lid. When I was within, I saw a venerable old man', I • - / ,..» ' .h 58 THE IIIGHLANDEK. I' * s bii: I a 7 \ .1 whom I took to be a chief from his appearance, sitting at his ease upon the ground, and smok- ing. I saluted him with all the courtesy I was able, and placed myself upon the ground, at some little distance, waiting, with inward anxiety but external co'tnposure, for him to begin the conversation. After he had eyed me for some time with fixed attention, but without either sternness or anger, he calmly took the pipe from his mouth and presented it to me. I received it with infinite satisfaction ; for, as 1 have before remarked, this is always with the American tribes the firmest pledge of peace and a friendly reception. When we had thus been seated for some time in mutual contemplation of each other, he asked me, in a dialect which I under- stood tolerably well, to eat, I did not think it prudent to refuse any offered civility, and there- fore accepted the ofl'er; and, in a little time, a young woman, who was in the back part of the hut, set bofon me some broiled fish and parched maize. After I had eaten, my friendly host inquired into my country and the reasons of my visit. I was just enough acquainted with the language he spoke to be able to understt nd f .• 'IJ. *. { The Highlander saluting the Indian. i. St .v^. v^ ^ -^^•^■^ts^ r* J . i; » i ( >* •; »■ ^m^ m. •i ! - > THE HIOHLANDIR. 6i bim, and to givo an intelligible though imperfect answer. I therefore explained to him, as well as I was able, that I had crosised the great water with the warriors of the King of Britain; that we had been compelled to take up the hatchet against the French and their allies, and that we had actually set out upon an expedition against their colonies; but th^t we had been surprised by a lurking party in the woods; that in the confusion of the fight I had been separated from the rest, and.had wandered seve- ral days through tho. woods in search of my comrades ; and that now 1l^(3ing the tents of my brethren, the red men, I had come to visit them, and smoke the pipe of peace in their company. All this I with some difficulty explained to my entertainer, who listened to npie with great atten- tioju, and then bade me welcome in the na^ie of his nation, which he told me was called the Saukies; he added, that their young men were dispersed through the woods, hunting the deer and buffalo; but they would soon return Ipaded with provisions, and, in the mean time, I might share his cabin and such provisions as he could command. I thanked him for his offer, and re- .> \ ' \' 62 THE IlIGIILAKDERt maincd several days in his hut, always enter- tained with the same hospitality, until the re- turn of the young men from hunting. They came at last, in several boats along the lake, bringing with them a considerable quantity of wild be&sts which they had killed. I was re- ceived by all the tribe with the same hospitality I had experienced from the old chief; and, as it was necessary to gain their friendship as much as possible, I joined them in all their hunting and fishing parties, and soon acquired a con- siderable degree of skill in both. - '-■'*'^ Hunting itself has something cruel in the prac- tice; it is a species of war which w6 wage with brute animals for their spoils; but if ever it can be considered as excusable, it is in these savage nations, who have recourse to it for their subsist- ence. They are active, bold, and dextrous, to such a degree in all these exercises, that none of the wild animals they attack have the smallest chance of escape. Their parties generally con- sist of almost all the youth of their nation, who go in a body to particular districts where they know game is plentiful. Their common me- thod is, when they arrive at a spot which Till IIIOIILAKDRR. 63 or- re- of re- ity s it abounds in drcr or bufTaloos, to disperse thcm- ttelvt's througii the woods; and then, alarming the beasts in the neighbourhood, they drive them with shouts and dogs towards some com- mon place, which is always in the middle of all their parties. When they have thus rouzed their prey, the various scjuadrons gradually ad- vance towards the centre till they unite in a circle, and inclose a prodigious number of frightened animals. They then attack them, either with fire-arms or arrows, and shoot them down successively. By these means they are sure, in a single day, to destroy a prodigious number of different beasts. But it sometimes happens, that while they are engaged in the ciiase of other .animals, they become a prey themselves to their enemies; who take this method of surprising them in the woods, and gratifying their resentment. This was actually the case with my friends the Saukies, and pro- duced a surprising event; the consequence of which was my return to the English colonies in safety. The Saukies had been long at war with the Iroquese, a gowerful tribe of Northern Ameri- (| .1 64 THE mGRLANDCR. [i cam in the interest of the French. The Iro- quwe had received intelligence of the situation of the SaukicH* encampment, o;id determined to surprise them. For this purpose, a thousand warriors set out by a secret march through the woods, and travelled with the silence and cele- rity which are peculiar to all these nations. When they had nearly approached the hunting grounds of their enemies, they happened to be discovered upon their march by four war- riors of another nation, who instantly suspected their design, and, running with greater diligence than it was possible so large a body could make, arrived at the encampment of the Saukics, and informed them of the near approach of their enemies. A great council was instantly assem- bled, to deliberate upon the choice of proper measures for their defence. As they were incumbered with their families, it was impracti- cable to retreat with safety ; and it seemed equally difficult to resist so large a force with inferior numbers. While they were in this un- certainty, I considered the nature of their situa- tion and had the good fortune to find out a resource, which being cottimunicatcd to my 1 1 ^ THE IIIGIILAKDRR. 6i friend the chief, und adopted by the nation, wni the moan of their safety. I observed that the paftsago to the Saukies' camp, for the Iroquese, lay along a narrow slip of land, which extended for near a mile between two lakes. I therefore advised the Saukies to cast up a strong barrier at the end of the passage; which I shewed them how to strengtiien with ditches, palisades, and some of the improvements of European fortifica- tion. Their number of warriors amounted to about four hundred; these I divided into equal parts, and, leaving one to defend the lines, I placcxl the other in ambuscade along the neigh- bouring woods. Scarcely were these dispo- sitions finished before the Iroquesc appeared,, and, imagining they were rushing upon an un- guarded foe, entered the defile without hesitation. As soon as the whole body was thus impru- dently engaged, the other party of the Saukies started from their hiding places, and, running to the entrance of the strait, threw up in an instant another fortification, and had the satisfaction to see the whole force of their enemies thus cir- cumvented and caught in a trap. The Iroquese soon perceived the difficulty and danger of F 3 i. **? 6(5 TfifB HfOlttAl7DP.lt. i- I. •f ^ciipr. They howcrcr brhavod with tlint ex- traordinary composure which is the pt^culiar charactcristfc of this people on every occasion. The lakes were at that time frozen over, yet not so hard as to permit them to effect a passage over the ice; and, though a thaw succeeded in a short time, it was equally impracticable to pass by swimming or on rafts. Three days, therefore, the Iroquese remained quiet in this disagreeable situ- ation; and, as if they had nothing to apprehend, diverted themselves all this time with fishing. On the fourth morning they judged the ice suffi- ciently dissolved to attempt their escape, and, therefore, cutting down some trees which grew upon the strait, they formed them into rafts -nd embarked their whole force. But this ccjid not be done without the knowledge of the Sau- kies, who dispatched a considerable body of warriors to bppose their landing. It is un- necessary to relate all the horrid particulars of the engagement which etisued : I will only men^- tion that the Iroquese at length effected their landing with the loss of half their number, and tetr^ated ptecipitately to their own country, leaving behind theiu nil the furs and skins which tm^^ vumsmtmm. THE lltOIILAKDM* er they hnd Uikvii in their iiunting. Tho iharc I had had in this success, gained me the fricmd^hip of all the nation; and, at my desire, they sent Some of their young men to guide me through the woods to the English settlements, and took their leave of mc \fith every expression of cst(Tm, and a coasiderabie present of valuable furs. These arc tho most important and interesting of itiy adventures ; and, as I have already tn»s- passed too long upon your patience, I shall hasten to conclude my story. After this, I was employed in various parts of America and th6 West Indies, during the rest of the war. I suf^ fered hardships and difTiculties innumerable; and acquired, as my father had foretold, a little wisdom at the price of a considerable quantity of blood. When the war was ended, I found itiyself nearly in the same situation as I began^ except the present of my friendly Americansy which I had turned into money atid remitted to England. I, therefore, now began to feel my military enthusiasm abated, and having permis- sion to leave the service, I embraced that oppor- tunity of returning to my country, fully deter- , y i; i( ^ 6% THE HIGHLANDER. '.[h I vi. ! :■' i m mined to spend the remainder of my life amid my family and friends. I found my father and mother still living, who received me in the l()ndesi: manner. I then employed the little fund I had acquired to stock a farm, which 1 hired in the neighbourhood; and where I imagined my care and industry would be suf- licient to insure us all a comfortable subsis- tence. Some little time after, I nraicicd a vir- tuous and industrious young woman, who be- came the mother of two lovely children. For some time I made a shift to succeed tolerably well ; but at length the distresses of my country increasing, I found myself involved in the deepest poverty. Several years of uncommon se- verity destroyed my cattle, which is the chief support of the highlandei*s, and rotted tNe scan- ty crops, which were to supply us with ^ood, upon the ground. I cannot accuse myself of either voluntaij unthriftiness or neglect of my business; but there are some situations in which it seems impossible for human exer- tion to stem the torrent of misfortune. But wherefore should I give pain by a detail of all the miscrios which I, and many of my poor THE HICHI.ANDEH. 69 amid r and the little hich ere I 3 suf- ubsis- a vir- be- For rably untry the ion se- s chief 3 scan- 1 ^ood, myself lect of lations 1 exer- But 3tail of ly poor n countrymen, have endured? — I will, therefore, only mention, that after having suffered, I think, <3very distress which human nature is equal to support — 'after having seen my tender parents, aiid last, my dear unfortunate wife, perish by the hardships of our situation, I took the resolu- tion of for ever abandoning a country which seemed incapable of supporting its inhabitants. I thought that the milder climate antt more fer- tile soil of America might, perhaps, enable a wretched wanderer, who asked no more than food for his starving children, to drag on a little longer a miserable life. With this idea I sold the remainder of my stock, and, after having paid whatever was due to my landlord, I found I had just enough to transport myself and family into eternal banishment. I reached a sea -port town, and embarked with my chil- dren on board a ship that was setting sail for Philadelphia. But the same ill fortune seemed still to accompany my steps ; for a dreadful storm arose, which, after having tossed our vessel during several days, wrecked us at length upon the coast of Cornwall. All the crew, indeed, escaped,, wr 70 THE HIGHLANDER. ' -^ B« 1 I ,1 f . i. - and with infinite difficulty I saved my dear infants; but when I reflected upon my situation, in a distant country, without resources, friends, or hopes, I was almost inclined to think that we might all have been happier in the bosom of the ocean. '•' But the goodness of Providence was mani- fested in guiding me to the residence of the brother of Colonel Simmons, who possessed an estate at a short distance from the place where the vessel was stranded ; and who, on hearing my name and the history of my sufferings, im- mediately recognised in me the Highlander, whom the colonel had so frequently mentioned in his letters. This gentleman instantly re- ceived me into his house, and has since made an ample provision for myself, and taken my dear children under his protection. *' ' >>» ;t; ; S.i'i ^1 , V t FINIS. '"'-^'-^'Iv^' v/^'x-v. f^; v.^1 *1 t y dear uation, friends, ik that bosom mani- of the jsscd an e where hearing ngs, im- h lander, entioned ntly re- ce made iken my - p ■ "• » » ,> r: /r ti::.-: I . .r: VI'' 1 -n'D ,noW l»tvi' t i.' 5 EM - 1 I l! ' :.'// f> .;v..i " ■ .:-i!;V. i ^■ HOULSTONI, PRlKTEaS, WELLINGTON. *. W MMH jtWJIwtj'in (iiitlrti|i«i|i ^ I «tffc-. .^ PRINCE :)LPHO'8 lamented ms suited d. i: adorn- Brothers, of TWO ^ER; and ith Cuts. lED BOY with Cuu. entures of t away on namented , k if 1 '- GTON, ^i>"