.. . " 
 Sf^ 
 
 M. W. MOUNTS 
 
 OLD BOOKSELLER 
 
 626 Penn Avenue 
 
 Pittsburg, Pa. 
 
 Cost Self 
 
 j
 
 PITTSBURGH: 
 .i . 11 . w K i, i) r x A- Co. 
 
 No. 1IH WOOD ST. 
 1876.
 
 THE 
 
 OR, 
 
 BRADDOCK S TIMES. 
 
 A TALE OF THE WEST. 
 
 War and love have various cares ; 
 War sheds blood, and love sheds tears, 
 War has swords, and love has darts, 
 War breaks heads, and love breaks hearts. 
 M CAKKOCIIEK. 
 
 TWO VOLUMES IN ONE. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 PITTSBUR GH : 
 
 M. P. MORSE, 85 FOURTH ST. 
 
 JOHN 15. KENNEDY, BOOK PUBLISHER 
 
 FEIJKKAL, STUKET, ALLEGHENY. 
 
 1848.
 
 EuU-red according to Act of Congress, in the year 1848, by 
 H. }[. DAVIS, in the Clerk s Office of the District Court for tin 
 \Ve.-tern District of Pennsylvania.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 In presenting this edition to the public, the publisher is 
 influenced by no motives of private gain or speculation. The 
 work has been read and appreciated by many of our old 
 citizens it needs no eulogy it speaks its own praise. It is 
 ^emphatically an American work, abounding in incidents con 
 nected with the early settlement of the Great West. Many 
 of the localities named, are in our immediate neighborhood , 
 and associated with the early career of the Father of our 
 country, when, in the flower of his youth, he traversed these 
 wild, forests, and gave evidence of those great acquirements 
 and traits of character, the fruits of which have displayed 
 themselves in the well-tilled farms and splendid cities, teem 
 ing with millions of intelligent and happy people, that cover 
 the whole West. To keep alive these recollections, and foster 
 a love for our national literature, which will more than all 
 else tend to develope the native talent of our country, has 
 been the object of sending this work before the public. 
 
 PITTSBURGH:, September, 1848.
 
 WILDER NESS. 
 
 CI1APTEH 1. 
 
 A.s b dw ui:r liij- her foamy li itrk, 
 
 Against lliii wiml was cleaving, 
 Her trc inblimr pendant still look d hack 
 
 I 11 that dear isle twas leaving ; 
 Sjii loath we part from all we love, 
 
 I roiii all the links that bind us, 
 So turn our hearts where er we rove. 
 To tli"se we ve icit Behind us! 
 
 MOORE. 
 
 IjKT melancholy spun* talk as they please concerning 
 the degeneracy and incrca^inir miseries of mankind, 1 will 
 not believe them. Th::y liuve her ii speul.iiiff ill of them 
 selves, and predicting worse oi their posterity, from time 
 iinmi morial : and yet, in the pn. s-eut \ear, I82:i, when, if 
 the one hiuulreth part of their gloomy foreliodings had been 
 realized, the earth mu.-t have heeomc a Pandemonium, and 
 men something worse than devils, (for devils they have, 
 been long ago, in the opinion of these charitable denuncia 
 tors,) 1 am free to assert, thai we have as many honest 
 men, pretty wonim, healthy children, cultivated fields, con 
 venient houses, eleirani kinds of furniture, and comfortable 
 c-lothes, as anv jjent .r.ition of our ancestors ever possessed. 
 
 This notion of mine, be it right or wrong, has not result- 
 rd from any course of abstract syllogizing upon the nature 
 of things, a mode of discovering tiuth in which I never had 
 much confidence. !i ha-; arisen from that more certain 
 source of acquiring opinions, vulgarly called "ocular demon 
 stration" having lately had a vieu of part of that portion 
 of the American hemisphere, which extends from the South 
 .Mountain in Pennsylvania, over the Allegheny ridge, to the
 
 ( iff u (i,sn,t::\ t 
 
 head of iho Ohio river; a fount ry v?hidt, in the re.r 
 ol mnny yet living was long the scene of want, 
 desolation, terror, ami ?av;rgc warfare, where the t?-,ve/lcr 
 had not a path to guide- ftis course, nor, in a jour/jey o*- 
 many days, could find n ?rat in whicfo to iepo?e .his fra?ne t 
 where the hardy white roan, wno ventured to make a set 
 tlement, had not a neighbor within many a league, am? 
 Avhcre lie seldom retired for t)ie night, -fcdtliont fearing that, 
 before the morning, both his family and- hin?elf saigiht be 
 come the victims of the tomahawk and the scalping-snife. 
 
 As a remedy for the unhappy malady tinder whielb the 
 misanthropic believers in the deteriorating rendition of sian- 
 kind labor. I think, that an attentive ramble, at the present 
 day, over this extensive region, making- at the sara etiine, n 
 careful comparison between what it now is, and wfeat it^vas 
 fifty years ago, would be effectual. "VVikI and gigantic 
 mountains are, indeed, still there; but beautiful aitd ~r/eli cul 
 tivated valleys, lying on the bosom of peace, ?<v)d. in the lap 
 of plenty, are spread beside them. At the distance of everv 
 two or three hours ride, a nourishing town or Tillage,- in 
 habited by sober Christians and industrious freemen, snhites 
 the eye of the traveller; while people of all ages r sexes, 
 tastes, and tempers, enliven the road as they pass ? k)ng, 
 either on foot or on horseback, or in vehicles, which are 
 here to be met with of every description, from the light stul- 
 ky, which scarcely presses upon its springs, to the heavy. 
 cumbersome wagon, dragged slowly along by six horses, 
 In this region, there is now neither want, nor fear of want ; 
 neither enemy, nor fear of eenmy ; but every man earns 
 his bread in comfort, and eats it in safety, in the midst of 
 his familv and friends, without fear of molestation from 
 cither civilized tyrants or savage marauders. 
 
 Far different, was the situation of things in this fair region 
 of the earth, when Gilbert Frazirr first erectrcl his log-house 
 on the bank of the Monongahela. Then, indeed, might :? 
 misanthropic grumbler have had reason to complain ot fh< 
 condition of men, at least of those men whose fate it was to 
 be planted like Gilbert, in a savage " WILDERNESS." It wa* 
 f:it<\ iiulrrr], and not rhoirr, ns may- well br supposed, th.it 
 had. .it i i!>i. ii!:niird him Ui Tr: but notwithstanding Ins ri
 
 -liU-iK 1 .- u i exposed to nuiuerou.j incoiiwni Mu-c- ., and con 
 slant dangers, :i slouf heart, (for he hud a good conscience 
 and feared nothing,) combined with a feeling of generosity, 
 the source of which will be hereafter explained, to bind him 
 to it, and Providence had hitherto preserved him in safely. 
 iNay, in process of time, habit had so reconciled him to his 
 situation, that lie scarcely looked upon the misfortune that 
 had brought him there as an evil. Years had mellowed it; 
 impression upon his mind: and sitting by his winter fireside 
 he would often relate the storv to his family with much the 
 same feeling that a sailor, snug on shore, recounts the dan 
 gers he lias undergone at sea. 
 
 He had entered the world nearly about the same time 
 with the century in which he lived, and somewhere between 
 l-olerain and Londonderry, in Ireland. Whether his father 
 or mother was forty-second cousin, or no cousin at all, to 
 some nobleman or squire, is of no consequence, merely be 
 cause he thought it of none, or rather because he never 
 thought anything about it. A far more important matter of 
 recollection with him, was his marriage, which took place 
 in his twenty-first year, with IN ell v iYl Clean, a pretty rosy 
 cheeked, iair-skined Irish girl, with dark eves and black 
 hair, who was about a couple of years younger than him 
 self, and whose heart, although it was as light and as ten 
 der as a linnet s, had stood nearly a twelvemonth s siege lie- 
 ton; il surrendered to his attacks. When it did surrender, 
 however, it was at absolute discretion, and (iilbert ever after 
 found it as faithful and fond as a hearty lover like himself 
 could wish. 
 
 As Gilbert wished to make his dear Nelly alutli/, but was 
 unable, from a cause very prevalent among his countrymen, 
 the want of funds, nothing would now satisfy him but a trip 
 to America, in order to make his fortune. Not that he in 
 tended to leave his own country for ever, for with all its 
 poverty, he still thought it was a dear and sweet country, 
 but he supposed that a residence of seven years at the far 
 thest, in a land so tar oil as America, must make him rich 
 enough to return home, and live the remainder of his days 
 like a gentleman. 
 
 "What fine times will it then be for Nelly, (thought he.)
 
 I !l I V, ! I L ItNt . 
 
 \vheti dm-sed 111 h-r silks and laces, 
 
 cousins, the Burrels and the 
 
 every year, on Hanxt-l ; / , 
 
 a isew-vcar s gut. Fait] 
 
 then!" 
 
 To America. . 
 
 but think not, that h. si from his Xellv no; he 
 
 would as r.o< ii fia\ ; , 
 
 shoulders. TIu,\ set sail together Iron! lair Loiidonden \ 
 one bright, morning in April. 1723; and Gilbert felt, u- 
 many an Irishman has since i\. .!:. or; iaUir,g the last look oi 
 his native country, that it requiiod ail his c >urage to prevent 
 him from betraying his sorrow; for noUviihstr pros 
 
 perity that lie Mijipopfii a\vait!. :i hiai a 
 was about to pun?bas< li sic::;- b\ Ibrsaking ihu land ol hi 
 nnti\ n\\ I If: look: d at li . 
 
 gazing at the fast rctirino ishowsn, which 
 
 was the last ves uar Ireland thai shew as to see. lie. 
 
 perceived that her eyes with tin: moiMuu": or 
 
 jrrief; andalthou- ii ins own lifarf iroia tiie sarnt 
 
 O "~ 
 
 cSlise, he thought ii his du:y LO comfort iu.r, as he tried to 
 comfort himself. l;v hull uliisperi;^ ;..nd half singiur. 
 in her ear, 
 
 Whether this promise of her becoming 1 a Pennsylvania huh . 
 had the consolatory effect upon h.is \viie that Gilbert intend 
 ed, 1 cannot say ; but it is certain, that except about three 
 weeks, during which she labored under tne tortures of sea 
 sickness, she endured a boisterous passage of nearly thrc-.e 
 months with considerable liveliness and good humor. At 
 length, if we may believe Gilbert s own account of the mat 
 ter, one Sunday morning (as good luck would have it) 
 he had the happiness to laud on the wharf at Philadelphia, 
 with his Nelly on his arm, and iwcnty gold guinuas in iris 
 pocket. 
 
 Gilbert was now in the L;nul of Promise, the briyht El 
 dorado of his imagination, where even thinp he did wus to
 
 be, -jo richlv remunerated, tint In.; very scratching of the 
 Around would cause it, to term with wealth, and spreading his 
 hands to heaven would bring down a shower of gold. Dur 
 ing the first week after his arrival, lie \vas in ecstasy. Al 
 though none of the expected riches had yet made their ap 
 pearance, he very rea:-onai>!v ascribed this to his not having 
 made any of the exertions necessary to attract them; for he. 
 was not such a fool as to suppose that they were to be gain 
 ed without exertions of some kind. But these exertion she 
 could make when he, needed them ; and, like ;i true Irish 
 man, he considered his twenty guineas sufficient for all pre 
 sent purposes. He therefore thought that it could not be 
 wrong to enjoy himself a little in a new country; and, as 
 iNelly, who was rejoiced to have tier foot once more on Ter 
 ra Firma, was unusually cheerful and engaging, he could do 
 no less than spend a couple of weeks in showing the dear 
 girl the novelties of the place. 
 
 At length his twentv rniineas were reduced to ten; and 
 he began to think, for he had a mixture of Scotch blood 
 in him. that he should do some thing to prevent their farther 
 reduction. He expressed his wishes to several of the na 
 tives, expecting that they would make him acquainted with 
 the plnn of getting rich which suited their country. They 
 told him to "work." 
 
 "Work !" ejaculated Gilbert to himself; for lie had the 
 prudence to percene that it would not do to ali ront the na 
 tives, by expressing audibly any feelings of disappointment 
 respecting their country work ! an was it for that, after 
 a , that I left the snujj toonlan o Maughrygowan, an cam 
 owre the ocean, whan 1 thourhi I wad become a gentleman 
 on my very landin ! Work ! why what waur could 1 hae 
 done at hame,than to hae labored for mv daily bread ! But 
 I was nae quite at that need either. Eh ! sirs Nelly, puir 
 lass ! is as little likely to become a "lady in Pennsylvania," 
 as the san^ \\ e u^r-d to sin^, >-a\^, than she was in her ain 
 country !" 
 
 However, Gilbert was not of a lemper to be cast down 
 by trifles ; and. as his eyes were now pretty much opened 
 to the real circumstances of the country, and his funds were 
 everv day dimiriishinr, he though nt last of seriously betak.
 
 I O i H" t v, II.DETiN Rs.S. 
 
 ui;l himself ui work, as lie had been advised. Jle v/a.-- 
 healthy, young, and active, and, as far as respected hnnsell. 
 had n other objection to a life of labor, th.-n the slo- 
 \\ith v, Inch tl bioiu ii in that uhich had been tin- 
 
 preut object of his emigration, His Nelly, however, u:<- 
 (iiure allecied at tin: ihouuni "i his bein^ ( ,l>li;,( d iu rani their 
 sustenance i>v ihr sweat of hi- nil her SOITOM g 
 
 his feelings far more sensibly than tho ni-ct -ssitv v\ Inch oc 
 casioned theiii. She became home-sick, as it is ti-rmed. and 
 lor several months ijitcri;- n u alter the out-cakes, the 
 
 . the genial . < he svarbling- yroves, the- 
 
 tairv iuiiint i. and the rui i her native land, But 
 
 her mind, naturally < oon recovered its 
 
 tone, and, hecon.ino- resigned io fur >itr.aticni, site no; onl\ 
 encouraged her h\i- ds md i?ii v, hut assisted hiiiz 
 
 hv her own. 
 
 In a short tune (Jiiber; ce and ^ood conduct he- 
 
 came noted among his neighbors, and several gentlemen oi 
 proper! v were heaul to spi-ak in his commendation, it mav 
 be here observed, t the Philadelphians 
 
 towards strain--.- ttlina among them, seem, at 
 
 this day, to be much the ^-cime as our friend Gilbert i ounci 
 them to be a hundred yeai 
 
 i merit ; hail ap-- 
 
 pear : \vhieh \\~ill t!, 
 
 :.:i Vordcd exactly m such proportion as the mem deserves, 
 but in no more. In oilier words the Phibdelphians appeal- 
 to be the most pui^ justice, but the most 
 b.ac-kward in display ity, of aiiy tieople in tlie 
 world. 
 
 Gilbert l- raxier s mrrit \\r-s al^o pretty much of ihe kind 
 thfit has always been in hiffliesi esiiniatton with the inhab 
 itants of Philadelphia for ".u-i/ iV/;/ and p(rsevcra,ice" 
 ?.ecin tobe their characteristics, and rnia nt, without much 
 impropriety, be adopted as the motto of the. city. It is true, 
 tha t tii:- warmth of his iri.-a blood prevented his manners 
 and conduct from beirp; so ngidiy regular, tamed, and dis 
 ciplined in ail things, as these of the older citizens, but, for 
 hrs leviiles and indiscretion^, 3? they called them, his neifh- 
 bon-; had tlie (ir>i-i(i ORitive lo make a sniia^lc iuiowanco. r.i =
 
 \\ 11, 1 t l; s I -... 
 
 unt ol liis being- :iu Irishman, and also to give him the 
 
 greater credit for that unexpected decree of steadiness and 
 attention to his employment that he exhibited. 
 
 f.ut, although resolute and determined to do what he 
 eouUt to earn a comfortable and honest living, the inrome of 
 his occupation, which was only that of a common laborer, 
 u as b\ far too inconsiderable to satisfy his wishes. He 
 u as also, on account oi having received, when he was abont 
 live months in the city, i rjm his Xcliy, the interesting pre 
 sent of a line son, to whom, although he was no catholic, lie 
 pave tlis- name of Patrick, in honor of his native tutelary 
 samt, the more solicitous to change his employment for one 
 in. UP lucrative. lie had been bred to no mechanical trade, 
 and he had ueiiher inclination nor talants for traffic. Thr 
 management of a farm was, therefore, what best suited him; 
 and u was not lotiu 1 after the interesting event just mention 
 ed, that he agreed with a gentleman, who possessed some 
 land on the Juniata ri\cr, a short distance above its junc 
 tion v\i;h the Susquehannah, to remove there, and cultivate 
 a eeriain number of acres on the shares. 
 
 On this place Gilbert had resided about ten years, and 
 h.ni thriven so much, that he felt himself able to make to 
 iis ou iier such proposals for purchasing it, as he had ever) 
 ivason in belie; e \\(,ui-l be accept;;!; \\ hen unfortunately, 
 party of I!IUL:;IS uiadc a furious ivrupfion m.;> 
 the senlemcnt, and after [iilhiaino- or destroying whaie\-er 
 articles of value came in their way. they carried oil, ;us 
 pri.-Miiiers, upwards <; twenty families, cunon; 1 ; \vliom was 
 that of the unhappy Gdi/crl. ile w. .s ;;! this time, tli< % 
 laiiier oi llnee children, t\\ o sons and a daughter, who, 
 wiih iin. ir mother and h:n le carried rapMU l;>r 
 
 more liian two hundred mdes, uu;r :v p athless and inter 
 minable wilderness of thick, lonely, and uioomv forest, cor- 
 re sponding in its state of wild and dismal savagene^s with 
 the nature o! the ferocious a; d \M; !fi ul ;-o\\lers, on whos 
 ice .iieir v
 
 ! <? i HI wii.r>rKxrss. 
 
 of it with which the reader must he already impjv-?sed 
 The threats, the barbarities and exultation ol the savages ; 
 the terrors, the tears, the lamentations and actual sufferings 
 of the captives, many of whom, during their rapid and cruel 
 march, died of their wounds or their ill-treatment, might 
 require description if they were not already present to every 
 imagination. The party at length arrived at an Indian 
 town, on the hanks of the Allegheny river, called Catanyan, 
 on the site of which the present Kittanning is huilt. Here 
 a council of the chiefs and other great men of the several 
 tribes in the neighhorhood met, in order to deliberate on the 
 fate of the prisoners. Among these, (Gilbert was surprised 
 to observe live or six white men in military dress, but differ 
 ent in its decorations and construction from any he had ever 
 before seen. He was nevertheless strongly inclined to con 
 ceive them Europeans, and the only thing that caused him to 
 doubt on the subject, was their speaking neither English, 
 Irish, nor Dutch, the only European languages of which he 
 had any knowledge. His doubts were, however, soon remov 
 ed by .some of his fellow-prisoners, whose information was 
 more extensive than his own, from whom he learned that 
 these military men were French officers, who were now ex 
 ploring the country, and forming alliances with the Indian 
 tribes. He was also given to expect, that their presence 
 might be advantageous to the prisoners, as they would no 
 doubt make exertions to save as many as they could from 
 that cruel fate, which the Indians, if left to themselves, 
 would not fail, according to their custom, to inflict. 
 
 Accordingly it so happened ; for out of about seventy 
 prisoners, there were only rive selected to be burned, and 
 about twenty to run the gauntlet. It was Gilbert s fate, 
 however, to be one of the latter ; but he underwent it cour 
 ageously, and being "brave an supple," as he himself 
 phrased it, he reached the goal with the infliction only of a 
 few bruises, which broke neither bone nor blood-vessel. 
 A few days afterwards the greater number of the prisoners 
 were marched off, as Gilbert was informed, to Canada. 
 With respect to himself he, together with his family, were 
 permitted to remain at the Catanyan town, even after all 
 the other families were s-ent off, some of them separated
 
 Tilt: \\ ilio :: \ Kss 
 
 from each other, to different directions. This \v:is a favor 
 tor \\h:;-li in 1 <-o .dd not account, !nil wli!<-h ""," inn thi 
 
 led. 
 
 . whoso mmd Ind been greatlv shaken bv !icr 
 -, soon began to n co\ er her s< niU after the 
 dep. ;-,u;v <;f til!- other prisoners; ami permitted as she was 
 to cnjo\ the society of her children and her Gilbert, 
 ihoi>!: ; ii n in !:.; ..it ( f d a! thai fi -D\ idcr.f e which 
 
 h <d been HO much kind r to her than to so many others ol 
 hui companions in mi.-Yoriime. Gilbert s mind, also, on 
 this occasion touk a pious turn, so that both husband and 
 \\iie ft -It in thir adversity, a disposition to religious exer- 
 ci ;- . to which, (hiriuo- tlic pi-i iod of th. ir prosperity, they 
 had hcon strani^cM s. !Siich ibelintrs are natural, and could 
 !; easily :;i-c >nnvd or, hut it is i:ot the pro\ince of a 
 ;o do i. Elis du v ohliiros him onlj !o slate die 
 fact, and leave u to lh< dier, or rather, perhaps, the 
 
 divine, t.> discover the c use. 
 
 Al honirh (ulnei i and his family had been exempted from 
 many of the severities which ihcv saw inilicird upon their 
 unfortunate fellow-prisoners, tiieir niiruls \vere sail much 
 ;iL r itat d \viih apprehension; ibr \l\c\- knew not how soon 
 so capricious a people as the Indians, would take it into 
 their heads lo tunneii!. and. perhaps, destroy them. But 
 the same religions feelings whicii made tliem iha.iikful to 
 lieavei! for the repriru- they had ol)taineil, inspired them 
 also widi hopes of continued protection and final de- 
 li\ erauce. 
 
 Hut Gilbert s mind was not so entirely engrossed will; 
 his own concerns, as to spare no feelings of sympathy for 
 thr- more disastrous late of his neighbors; and he was con 
 siderably puzzled to account for some who had been more 
 riind, at least in the externals of religion, and full as at- 
 ten .ive to moral appearances as himself, comincf off so much 
 \vorse ll;::n he did. 
 
 Ah! ) is a u ;!iiii;V." said }\.- to [\illv, " to 
 
 ihmk ho\\ H; \ \\ rmitted to hum dial holy man, 
 
 MaMhrw Morrison, ii::; 1 ihe\ say never missed makin 
 famd\ \voivliip three time a dav since he hcjran hoose- 
 kcepii!\ an \ et to owrelook a caulriie memher o the kirk
 
 I 111 \\ II.|M;\ I 
 
 like me, an no ~a nnickle as brak* a bane m ur lunlv 
 
 "Matthew Morrison was (it for heaven, an the Lord 
 took him," was Nelly s reply; "but he has gi en ye time 
 to repent " 
 
 "An oh! that he would gin grace wi t !" returned Gil 
 bert, " baith to make me thankfu for t, an to use it richt." 
 
 "Ay, ay, Gilbert," she observed "we should aye In 
 constant in prayin tor his grace, baith to pardon us an to 
 guide us, tor ye ken they re weel guided, that He guides/ 
 
 In this manner did Gilbert and his wife frequently con- 
 verse and encourage each other, on this occasion; and al 
 though their minds were naturally much agitated with fears 
 and doubts, they were still supported by the kindly influ 
 ence of piety and hope. 
 
 It was not long, however, before Gilbert discovered the 
 agent to whom, under Providence, he was indebted tor the 
 favor he had experienced from the Indians. A French 
 oliicer came one day into his tent, and, to his great surprise, 
 addressed him in English. 
 
 " 1 have been the means," said he, " of preventing you 
 and your family from being sent to Canada, and 1 wish 
 a favor in return." 
 
 " A favor, your honor !" replied Gilbert, who instantly 
 felt the workings of gratitude in his heart. "A favor ay! 
 that you shall only tell me how 1 maun do it, an I ll rin 
 owre the worl to oblige ye." 
 
 "I do not wish to send you quite so far," returned the 
 officer, "but, if you would have no objection to part with 
 your wife for a few weeks, 1 liave occasion for her 
 services." 
 
 At this Gilbert bent his head, and looked somewhat 
 glum, which the officer observing, corrected his phrase 
 ology, by saying "But no I will not separate you from 
 her. I ll obtain permission for you also to go and your 
 children ; you will all be as secure there as here." 
 
 "An whar do you want us to gang ? an what want 
 ye wi Nelly?" asked Gilbert, in a tone half angry, and 
 half fearful. 
 
 The officer perceived the state of his feelings, and wiili 
 a smile observed " I shall answer your last question first,
 
 HS I behcve you consider it the most important, it is ;i 
 female, and to he plain with you, my own wii e, who 
 \vishcs at present Tor the society and attendance of a white 
 woman. She is far advanced in pregnancy, and is unfor 
 tunately surrounded altogether by Indians, for the presence 
 of whoso females, on the occasion she so soon expects, she 
 has the utmost aversion. When I perceived your wife 
 among the prisoners, a married woman, the mother of chil 
 dren, and of decent, rcspectahle appearance and demeanor, 
 I at once conceived that she would make a suitable com 
 panion for mine under present circumstances ; and, there 
 fore, I successfully exerted myself to prevent, your being 
 sent away with the other prisoners. As to your first 
 question where I wish to send you? My wife is at 
 present under the protection of an Indian Queen, who 
 resides on the bank of the Monongahela, a large river 
 about forty miles distant." 
 
 Durinjr this statement, (he conntcnanc.es of both Gilbert 
 and his wife brightened into an expression of delight, which 
 perfectly satisfied the officer that, they would cheerfully and 
 thankfully comply with his wishes. 
 
 " We will attend ye, sir," replied Gilbert, instinctively 
 reaching for his hat, of which the Indians had not deprived 
 h;m. and which now lav on a short log that was used inside 
 ol the lent for a sea! il ves, your honor" said lie, clap 
 ping il on his head, and making a motion to march forward 
 "we will attend you, or your sweet wile, bv nicht or bv 
 day, in a weathers, an wbare er ye like to send us." 
 
 Nelly also assured him of the care and zeal with which 
 she would serve his wife, in order to make some return for 
 what he had done for them. 
 
 The next morning, therefore, the officer accompanied 
 them lo the residence of Queen A lliipiippa, a short distail 1 !- 
 nboxc Tin lie Creek, near the Monongahrla river.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 "utthoii poor \vkIowM bird that quivering secst. 
 Vt one fell swoop thv dwelling desolate, 
 /h ! what shall comfort then, tliou o er thy nest, 
 In vain may st chirp and call for th\ lost mau 
 
 BROMLEY. 
 
 IN a reasonable time our party arrived at the royal wio- 
 H am of Alliquippa. leader ! >tartle not at the word royal 
 for why should not a wiinvani he royal as well as a pal 
 ace, when it is the residence of a queen? If we believe 
 those who conceive that royalty altogether consists in a 
 fair, uncorrupted descent of leir.timate blood from enthroned 
 ancestors, or in th; title o iven by a blood thirsty sword, 
 "to the supreme authority of a conquered country, then 
 it has nothing move to do whh a mansion built of marble 
 and covered with <n>!d, than with a hut constructed of oak 
 bark, and covered with rush mats, except this, that when 
 ever it can, lor it is a very ss llish principle, it secures to it 
 self residences of the former kind. .Hut setting abstraci 
 reasoning aside, lor 1 hate it in a novel, we hear of royal 
 gardens, royal forests, royal theatres, royal fish-ponds, roy 
 al stables, and ro\ al hojr-sties and surely, dear reader, you 
 will tolerate a far more decent and respectable phrase than 
 some of these a ro\al wigwam. Alliquippa s royal resi 
 dence, when Gilbert \isitedit on this occasion, was not, 
 indeed, so cosily and magnificent a building, as the good 
 people of New \ ork and Philadelphia have, no doubt, hith 
 erto fancied a royal residence to be ! for their ideas on this 
 subject are full as elevated as those of the Londoner.-, Dub- 
 liners, or Edinburghers themselves, AV!IO arc every day 
 blest with the sight of ro^ al fabrics in abundance. Rut 1 
 would have the New- York.--; and Philadelphia!!. 11 to know.
 
 ivaai in their republican ignorance they, perhaps, do am, bin 
 vvhat the Londoners, Dubliners, and Edinburghcrd, knou 
 well, that the presence of ;i royal personage lias the \irfuc, 
 no! indeed oi the philosopher s stone, to transmute every 
 thing into gold but of Adam s seeds and animals, to pro 
 duce every thine 1 after its own kind, and consequently to 
 make all things royal. Hence Aliquippa, whose blood is 
 stated by the ancient chronicles lately fished up from the 
 bottom of the Monongahela, to have been as purely royal 
 as a descent of upwards of forty generations could make il, 
 was undoubtedly capable of making the wigwam that had 
 (he honor of holding her royal person, a roi/al wigwam. 
 
 Having settled this important point, we shall introduce 
 (Jilbert and his family to her majesty, who received them 
 graciously, and presented each of them with a string of 
 heads made of red berries, in token of her royal favor. She 
 was seated on a conveniently formed block of wood, aboui 
 eighteen inches high, covered with a neat mat, in the outer 
 apartment of the wigwam, for this edifice, although the 
 generality of its species contain only one apartment, hap 
 pened to contain two, the additional one having been con 
 structed at the request of the French officer for the accom 
 modation of his wife, of whom we shall directly take notice. 
 Hut we must finish our respects 1o her majesty. She was 
 a widow, and still young, and considerably hand 3 8omc. Her 
 manner united dignity with affability, and her personal at 
 tractions had lately induced several chiefs and <rreat men to 
 solicit her in marriage. At the present time, her most en 
 couraged lover was king Shingiss, a young warrior whose 
 residence was on the south bank of the Ohio, about two 
 miles bclo\-. the confluence of tbe Alleohanv and the Mo 
 nongahela and it was so confidently believed that I) 1 
 would succeed in obtaining her, that almost all her otiiri 
 lo\ers hnd relinquished in his favor. Hem;:, however, 
 somewhat like ihe British queen Elizabeth in her dispo. : i 
 lion, loud of being admired, but fonder of being obeyed, she 
 acted much in the same manner, by encouraging lovers, but. 
 keeping free from a husband. Her trine, which was called 
 the Shannoahs, was in complete. and satisfied subjection to 
 h T authorit, and lhal anlhorjly she was resolved neither lo
 
 nt.r. \VIUIKKM,-. 
 
 depute nor divide with any one. As however, Shingiss was 
 much devoted to her, she contrived to keep alive his hopes 
 no long, that he never sought any other for a wife, and after 
 a courtship of nearly thirty years, he died a bachelor. Shr 
 was dressed, when Gilbert first saw her, in rather a .showy 
 costume. A kind of diadem made of the red feathers of the 
 flamingo plaited together, encircled her brows, and, in sorno 
 parts seemed to be fancifully enwreathed with her hair 
 which was very plentiful, and of a brilliant jet color. A 
 large splendid crystal hung pendant from each ear; and from 
 her neck, which, as well as a considerable part of her breast, 
 was bare, hung a glittering chain of variegated beads. Tier 
 elbows and wrists were surrounded with scarlet hands made 
 of dyed skins, and ornamented with beads . A kind of gown, 
 or wrapper fabricated from a large silk shawl, of which thr 
 French officer s lady had made her a present, covered her 
 bodv from the breast downwards, being suspended to the 
 shoulders by straps of beaver skin, so formed as to have the 
 fur on both sides. This garment was also fastened round 
 her waist by a beautiful fur belt of various colors secured 
 with silver clasps. Light colored moccasins of deer skin 
 covered her feet, and completed an arrangement of dress, of 
 which Alliquippa was as proud as ever queen Elizabeth was 
 of her court-day robes. 
 
 The ceremony of introducing the strangers to her Shan- 
 noah majesty being over, she addressed the French officer 
 as follows. 
 
 "My Brother, 
 
 "I am glad you arc come back so soon. My sister 
 your M ifc was cast down in your absence. But I could 
 not blame her for I remember when Shanalow, my hus 
 band, went first to hunt, after our marriage, 1 was disconso 
 late, and dreamed every night of evil till hr returned. He 
 JH now gone to his fathers, and . shall never more return. 
 But he died of a breast-wound fighting the Otawas, and our 
 whole tribe has praised him. 
 
 "Brother! you did well to bring these people your wife 
 will be better pleased with a woman of the east, than with 
 my squaws. You will tell" nic at another time, why th< 
 rising sun ;:ivcy a fairer . -kin than the setting.
 
 - I roiiici- ! 1 shall order provisions lor your people. But 
 your wife wishes for your conversation. 1 shall detain you 
 uo longer tli.iu to request, that until the; Great Spirit makes 
 you a lather, you will be free to tell me your wants, and 
 use my wigwam and my people as your own." 
 
 The officer made a suitable reply, and the conversation, 
 descending from the stateliness of ceremony, became pro 
 miscuous and familiar. 
 
 Nelly soon became much attached to the officer s lady, 
 who was, indeed, as sweet and lovely a woman as the sun 
 ever beheld. They had, at first, some difficulty in under 
 standing each other s discourse, for the lady, who was a 
 French woman, spoke but imperfect English; and with re 
 spect to Xelly s English, she scarcely knew one word in 
 ten. But minds that are disposed to accommodate each 
 other soon overcome difficulties of this kind; and A elly and 
 her mistress, in less than twenty-four hours acquaintance, 
 contrived not only to be mutually intelligible, but mutually 
 agreeable and interesting. 
 
 As to Gilbert, his habits of industry while he resided on 
 the Jiiiiiata, rendered his present prospect of idleness irk 
 some, and perceiving at the junction of Turtle Creek with 
 the Alonongahela, a short distance from the wigwam, a suit 
 able place for building a log cabin, which he thought would 
 be a more convinent residence for the French lady on the 
 approaching occasion, he proposed to her husband to erect 
 one, which, with the aid of a few axes and a few Indians, 
 he said he could do, so as to make it considerably more 
 commodious than the wigwam, in a single week. The of 
 ficer gladly acceded to the proposal, and procured from Alli- 
 quippa, not only permission for Gilbert to build the house, 
 but also a grant to him of several hundred acres of the land 
 around it. 
 
 Gilbert knew too well how to appreciate this unexpected 
 piece of good fortune, not to turn it to advantage, lie im 
 mediately commenced building his house, and as the queen 
 directed a number ot her Indians to assist him. it was com 
 pleted in more comfortable style, and in a shorter time, than 
 ihe officer had conceived to be possible. His lady was con- 
 vt-yed into it ; but m a few days, her husband s joy at lind
 
 ing lur so conveniently lodged, was turned into grief- -into 
 distraction by Her death in giving birth to a daughter ? 
 
 On the first intelligence of this event, he sunk to the earth 
 overpowered with anguish; but recovering his muscular 
 energy he suddenly arose, hastened to the beloved corpse, 
 and pressed it to his bosom in an agony of sorrow. Tears 
 now gushed from his eyes, and to all appearance he became 
 somewhat calmed. lie asked to see his infant. Nelly 
 brought it forward. He kissed it with an almost convulsive 
 fervor, and burst again into tears. He then withdrew to a 
 bench on which, with his throbbing temples pressed between 
 his hands, he sat in silent anguish for a short time. He 
 then started to his feet. 
 
 "Mrs. Frazier," said he, "dreadful, dreadful has been my 
 loss ! and dreadful has it been to that infant ! 1 have lost 
 but oh ! I need not now recount her virtues, her loveliness, 
 her tenderness! The world now has nothing for me ! But 
 
 what will become of this Oh ! God ! God ! support 
 
 me! Oh ! protect this tender plant! Nelly, I conjure you 
 to be its mother, for it has now none else. And you, my 
 friend !" he here caught Gilbert by the hand, "be you in 
 place of that unhappy father, who is now unlit to look after 
 it here, here!" So saying, he ran to one of his wife s 
 trunks, - here, take this," and he cast a purse of gold upon 
 a table, "and whatever else these trunks contain support 
 my child bury my wife decently. Oh, (Joel ! her, grave 
 will be here in the wilderness, but her soul is with then in 
 heaven! He again ran hastily to the coi pse, and embracing 
 
 it for several minutes, "Farewell, farewell lie at 
 
 length exclaimed, and hurried out of the house. 
 
 Gilbert, aftei a moment s deliberation, followed him, for 
 he saw him in a lit of frenzy, and dreaded his committing 
 some rash and fatal deed. But he had disappeared, and 
 Gilbert perceiving from the thickness and intricacy of the 
 woods, that pursuit would be fruitless, soon returned to 
 console and assist his wife, whom grief had rendered almost 
 unable to attend to her domestic duties. 
 
 Alliquippa, who was much affected with these distressing 
 occurrences, attended herself, and ordered a nurnlu-v of hn 
 tribe to assist at the funeral of her deceased friend, whjcii
 
 : n I V, 1 1 in i: \ I -,- 
 
 readilv did: so that Gilbert had the satisfaction to ^ee 
 i: 1 remains ot ibis unfortunate hd\ I in tin- earth 
 
 in a^ decent ami respectable a manner as the circumstances 
 of tiic time 11 rid !>;.; FuTd admi-. 
 
 As to the infant whom 1 iv- : iro\vn upon 
 
 liis can ! both to do for it 
 
 cherish for it a fath nd on convei 
 
 with hi-; \vife, lc..- found her not onh i\ adv to approve, but 
 
 oiicitoiis to jjprluriu. every benevolenl \\ ish he had con- 
 
 fixed in its favor. The liu!^ orplian, therefore, whom 
 they named Maria, as its mother hail been so called, thev 
 resolved to esteem as tln-ir o\vn oflisprinsj, and provide for 
 n accordinifly. 
 
 1 1 w a s now a 
 
 , ther tht \ should determine 10 in 
 
 :!.-,!<( u n tin lien l rovi(!ence b-n! 
 
 th in, ir d avov to obtain permi.-sion ti-iMii ihc 
 
 t,> reiiirn l > . ner [labilation on the Juniata. 
 
 I c:\nn;\ wt-el tell. jNell y," s;.:d iir. "v/!iat s best to be 
 
 done. (lin we stay here, we mav ne er see the face u a 
 
 iel ( hrisiiiin a^ain, unle.sa n may !) seme blackjjuurd 
 
 trader, drappin t\\ ice a ion t ie n\er, to 
 
 furs, i ed lliem traders 
 
 ricked 
 
 . 
 
 \\ . can v. or>hi i) as il . i !s m oor am 
 
 led ; " lof be an bis 
 
 T \\ il i I (xij- 
 
 111 mi.- ier at ill? 1 - ; i v 
 
 tin- I jord . , \ a! o.n : . lie will be Ian 
 
 : !. as in u temple, b\ \\ iiii:\ he meant a church 
 orai: " ;" -. . . i-.. k i , i : i; \ o 
 
 Soioiiio i as bunil laii >- ?.\ lie lit tbe da\> 
 
 (} ibe Jews i leaf nnieiJe \\iiether the savages 
 
 will ij ie. ns leave !. ,v ; an \ < lien it s an unco ro;u!." 
 
 Ah! 1 \ /fci ken ll d she; "ii s na road ava. In 
 
 |rel:iipi. \ .T had lietler apes thi i iil<>ll be pe:i! bno s."
 
 1 111 VvTI.Ul 1< -, t _ , 
 
 11 Ah! ilmir.i talk o Ireland," he replied. draM 
 sigh : r iiku tim 
 
 nee- 
 
 
 
 weans v. 1 us. Think o t. 
 Nelly !- " 
 
 "1 do lliink n t, sho replied : 1 (loot muckle we main, 
 bide IIP; ; : -;son ;it. ony rate. We canna think o 
 th: 1 ro.id just 1100. on we hae a decent bi^oiii o\vr 
 heads < i;s liil UM- siirnncr couics " 
 
 An i jn uiiukm il (iii or-rt, "thai \v< 
 
 
 
 
 IP contJiHi 
 
 liiu.-k in search o j P. ( ilhort 
 
 \vrag t-. > jrajiij aii. ! ;= in > jnnul lua 1 . conic i>> 
 
 him ai; aiii, au I:- 1 sna , . lua kt-.i 
 
 \vhar 
 
 the Juuiatn ^^;^.- na.^ oor ain cii ncr; an ih> 
 l.x cii a ruined ; ; ,-i . int, 1 tliiii ! . 
 
 \ve had as u-a . . . lo fence 
 
 a\vcc, an chap wood, : n . order K; rank 
 
 us leevin-, : .., ihe winter; an , wi* tiic Idessin" o 
 
 God, we ll tr to Its content an thanki uY 
 
 thai course of indu^iry Avhich. ic a sliori time created ;; 
 smiling :md comfortable farm ror and wliich, in :: 
 
 fc\v \ eai s, atiached liiin so luiu ti \-> liie place, ilia; (;: 
 abanduiiod alt ihongliis of over leaving it. 
 
 Alliquippa ami her Iiuiicuss continued friendly to him. 
 and occasionally assisted hiin iniiie heavier exeriiuns whieii 
 his impro\ements reqnireii ; bni their haiiiis \vere too u:; 
 *ie;ni\ ami nncalcnlaiino. r,er lo imitaic him i>\ inakiii"
 
 <i! their own. Besides. the\ were nou almo-t enu 
 
 , > either pi; - * 
 
 . 
 
 ..:. Y, .;.".. , wi iV 
 
 hh o more and 11101 noun- 
 
 i,i the great barrier between tho 
 
 eastern ami western pnriions of the, continent, and to the 
 eastern portion of which the Indians we IT resolved, it pos 
 sible, to eonime them. 
 
 flistnn inform; i;s. tl:;;t ilie s- reneh. who. ai tint- time, 
 
 the whole of \\"cstcrn AinfTi -n. from Qur-lu - c- to 
 
 V--,v Orietins, v " ver\" i: in urging; thf 
 
 ; -^h set- 
 war- 
 
 
 
 ]"" . 
 
 > !iU 111- 
 
 i[\,". ; i.ij<-m, oi ien uai!( ( ! .>s;irii\ , ; 
 
 ii >v :, \ .-: r. ;..-,. hloo;l , . ; . !, blood, and ouUv.gT, \vilh outrage, 
 in ilic savage siaic ihe iecliug oi re\i-ng( > is. perhaps. 
 tin 1 strong s; and most inveterate ih.M the nun;!--, 
 
 rspeciali;, - [e ; and, jH a\en k;h)ws, the 
 
 iiii!(jrtrii!;iin i;;; in long- 
 
 M lthonl su:i: n!i;i anuiuniire oi ; li;;: 
 
 a l(-f i:t:L!" ; \i!i "n noi onl\ their naiii nellies, 
 
 bui ih -ir relio ioi H iheni to !;elie\ e that ii 
 
 \\ as meritorious io ; ; ra lily. Li is re;isonai)le also tu suppose, 
 ih:M a ia>ie for pilinge must have l.ad its inlluence upon 
 mnnuers of tim>e improvident and homeless waniors, \v!io 
 we IT. en<_ r aii"d in die san^i!inar\ depredaiions so fretjiUMid; 
 i-ominitted on tSie white inhabitants of the frontier setde- 
 I ennsN l\;iiii:v aiui \ ir^inia during tlie middle 
 Urn-. \ ; ;n;d. a! liie prc s< nl da \ , wlien \\ e 
 
 mil cl liii.i , ,. . , inu.-l ha\ i > peeled such 
 
 dc precia.tions, , ., astonish i.s how I U N could 
 
 possess li;ii\!iho(.<d anil i.oldnes.s eii.r.iiMi to e:\[).>se lioth 
 Ilifinsi i , es and their lain! H - b\ lh u perpetual ;id\anee> 
 to the dangerous \iciiiil\ of then barbjiou- foes, to Mi. li 

 
 imminent hazard of destruction. But, in turn -.=-. <,t da 
 there is an excitement oil ii oduced in the minds of men, 
 which enables them to encounter, n.-iy sometimes M court 
 
 ;s :nid hardships, from the bare idea of which 
 would !> : IPS to shrink with horror and 
 
 dismay; and there h uces- hut a truce with 
 
 philosophising!- I must OQ on with rny storv ; and shall 
 for that purpose, open another chapter. 
 
 III. 
 
 llejiia i r-ss <;!;iy, 
 
 i !)O ({j^arnii in souu lit, 
 
 A , i id in- ,! tin. cJ< i he i 
 
 Ai,Tiioi;i.;u separated trorn i!it j v. ari.l oi (.-hritians, .-is he 
 conr-rived himclf. (lilhcrt f t-.v/ifr icii ihnt uniidst his pechi- 
 iniK ho no?e:-o;i mnnv comlorfs, :ind lie \\-;is tlinjih- -, 
 tlifMii. ! is farm advriiic^d yoarlv in iuiprovcnifiit. and i 1 - 
 prodiico in vaiuc: for i>r!iiv: ID iiltivntor oi ilir 
 
 soi! for many day s jouvnrv around him, and living com - 
 iiicnt to :! iKiviy. -hle river, v. rnch \v,s, even liien, a consider 
 able thorouijhiare to those adventurous spiriis who trailed 
 with, liie Indiana, he could ahv;iy:s \vilhou! diliiculty, make a 
 readv and profitable sale of his surplus produce. \\ ilii re 
 spect to security, in eiilier lii o or property, he i eit pcrfecdy 
 it f;t ;". ]]r kiieu- thnl Mliquippn and her lover Shin<" r i -.
 
 \\cre both his friends and declared protectors ; beMdes 
 which, his own inoffensive conduct, not to speak of his use- 
 till industry and occupation, from which all classes of the 
 nc iffhhorinsf Indians had, at one time or other, derived some 
 benefit, had interested them in his prosperity, and excited 
 for him such a feeling of attachment that they would have 
 been ready to avenjje his cause, had any one, even of them 
 selves, attempted to injure him. 
 
 With respect to his children, they increased in years and 
 strength, but not in number, for Nelly had given him none 
 since tier settling in "The Wilderness." His eldest son, 
 Patrick, the Philadelphia!!, we have before mentioned, was 
 soon able to assist him in farming, which he did pretty at 
 tentively until he became seventeen or eighteei} years old, 
 when, being of a temper far more restless, daring, and 
 shrewd than his father, he manifested a disposition for traf 
 fic rather than labor ; and, contrary to his father s wishes, 
 spent a great portion of his time in rambling over the coun 
 try, and dealing with both Indians and white people, as 
 chance afforded an opportunity. My this time, however, his 
 younger brother, who was called Archy, was able to fill his 
 place on the farm, so that the old man s industry suffered 
 but little inconvenience from the defection of his iirst-born. 
 
 His daughter whose name was \ .nicy, was the youngest 
 of his three children, and but one year older than the little 
 orphan Maria, whom Providence, as we have seen, had 
 thrown upon his care and affections under circumstances so 
 well calculated to excitethem. Nancy HIT w up to be a pretty 
 vouiiL r woman, the picture of health and good humor, with 
 well-rounded regular features, <jlan<-in<r eves, smiling aspect, 
 md rosy complexion. She was an open-hearted, honest 
 reature, with little penetration, and less suspicion ; one, 
 vho, had she lived in wh.it is called the "civilized work!," 
 would have been better calculated to enjoy it, than to thrive 
 .11 it; but for that description of world where her lot was 
 ast, she was well adapted. There she miuht roam the 
 voods in safety without fear of a betrayer, and indulge her 
 thoughtless gayety without <Mvin<i offence. Her affections 
 A ere warm, hut her sensibility not extremely acute, for al- 
 hone!) she may have been nid to have loved almost everv
 
 I 111 \\ II.KKKNi:.-.-. 
 
 one with whom she find become acquainted, yet then iiu; 
 fortunes, though they might cloud, could not obliterate her 
 bias to math and hilarity. In short, she was like many 
 of her sex, more fitted for love than for hatred, and for joy 
 than for sorrow. 
 
 Such was the young female who had been from her in 
 fancy, the companion of Maria Frazier, for so we must at 
 present call the little orphan who had been taught to call 
 our friend Gilbert father, since by that name every body 
 knew her so far as she was known. During her childhood, 
 Maria was of very playful disposition, partaking much of the 
 vivacity of her sister for the two girls long conceived them 
 selves to be really sisters but she was too timid to join in 
 many of her freaks ; and, although she was the younger, 
 her superior prudence and discernment had imperceptibly 
 acquired for her a degree of control over the other, to which 
 JNancy had become so habituated, and which, indeed, was 
 always exerted with so much good nature aiul kindness, that 
 it never caused her any soreness of feeling, while it had 
 often the effect of preserving her from indiscretions. 
 
 Although in their persons these two young women were 
 both highly attractive, their attractions differed much both 
 in kind and degree. Nancy was, if any thin^, rather robust 
 and stout in her appearance to suit the general idea of sym 
 metrical beauty; yet to many tastes, that firmness and solidi 
 ty of frame which was the consequence of this slight varia 
 tion to the side of plumpness and vigor was rather pleasing 
 than otherwise. Her countenance, like her person, was 
 also, perhaps, too much rounded and full to entitle her to the 
 character of a finished beauty ; but from its regularity in its 
 individual features, and its healthy complexion, together 
 withtne perpetual expression of content and gayety that it 
 exhibited, it never failed to please the beholder. Her man 
 ners sometimes possessed a little too much forwardness and 
 familiarity to be strictly correct and agreeable ; but these, 
 most people would think, were fully atoned for by her inno 
 cence, archness a;id vivacity. 
 
 As to Miria s manneis, if modesty without coldness, deli 
 cacy without affectation, affability without ohtrusiveuess, 
 liveliness without pertiir-.-s .-if easy dignity und utteuiuc
 
 oiiipiaisance can be pleasing, hers were eminently so. Her 
 
 person was elegantly proportioned, inclining, as some per 
 haps would think, rather much to the slender form of 
 nymphlike beauty, hut at (he same time, displaying solidity 
 and fulness enough to indicate a healthy and sound constitu 
 tion. Her motions and gestures were natural, flowing and 
 harmonious. As to the charms of her countenance, they 
 were so full of that magical attraction which I have heard 
 called the "inexpressible somewhat," and the impression of 
 which no iciness of heart can resist, that it is impossible for 
 words to depict them justly. A mere delineation of her ex 
 quisitely-formed features, and beautiful complexion, when 
 .she reached the interesting age of seventeen an account of 
 the bright expression of her black eyes, shaded with their 
 thick silken eye-lashes, and surmounted with her white and 
 polished forehead of the damask bloom of her checks, of 
 the coral of her lips, and the shading of her dark ringlet.- 
 profusely flowing round her fair temples and snowy neck 
 would afford but a faint ideaof the striking loveliness, which, 
 no doubt, partly emanated from these, but which had their 
 principal source in that soul-speaking intelligence, that living 
 lustre of mind, that glow of sensibility and benevolence, 
 which characterized her looks to an unrivalled degree, and 
 made her the delight, as well as the admiration, of every 
 beholder. 
 
 Such were the distinguishing traits in the manners ami 
 appearance of these two flowers of "The Wilderness," that 
 had grown lip and flourished into full and beauteous bloom 
 under the diligent care of (lilbert Fra/ier, and his attentive 
 and managing wife. But (hey differed more in the extent, 
 of their information and in their natural aptitude and relish 
 fur acquiring knowledge, than in either their persons or 
 their manners. To Nancy the labor of study was rather an 
 irksome ta.^k, while Maria ever courted it as her chief dr- 
 lillhf. It will be naturally supposed that her means ot ^rat 
 ifvmg this inclination for learning must have been neces 
 sarily very limited ; but Providence furnished her with them 
 to a (jrealer extent than could have been expected. A sin 
 gular old nnn, named Tonnaleuka, whom the Indians re 
 garded as a prophet, frequently made hi , residence in the
 
 vjcinily of Gilbert s Tor several moiilhs together, and, <,j. 
 these occasions, took grout delight in teaching his children, 
 and seemed particularly interested in giving instruction to 
 Maria, perhaps because he found her so capable and solicit 
 ous lo receive it. 
 
 lie informed Gilbert, who, on their first acquaintance, 
 expressed his astonishment to find such a variety and extent 
 of information possessed by an Indian, that he had, in his 
 early youth, imbibed a great thirst for knowledge ; in con 
 sequence of which ho had run off from his tribe, who op 
 posed his desires in this particular, and travelled, for several 
 years, through the towns of New-England, where he studi 
 ed the English language, and became acquainted with various 
 sciences. "From thence," said he, "I visited Canada, for the 
 purpose of acquiring whatever useful knowledge the French 
 could give me. When in Quebec, the governor, at his own 
 expense, phced me at a seminary, with the intention of 
 qualifying me to act as an emissary among the Indian tribes, 
 whom he wished to secure to the interests of his country. 
 While there, 1 acquired a knowledge of the French language, 
 and of the histories, institutions, and political views of the 
 principal European nations. 1 then returned lo my own 
 people, that 1 might gratify the wishes of my benefactor, the 
 governor, to whom I felt very grateful. My friends receiv 
 ed me well, and fonravc my leaving them, as they said it 
 was the Great Spirit th;it put it into my head, that 1 might 
 acquire knowledge to direct them in the management of their 
 affairs with the white people. But they would not permit 
 me lo teach any of their young men or young women the 
 sciences I had learned. "For," said they, "if it were useful 
 for us to know these things, the Great Spirit would have 
 communicated them to our lathers, and they would have 
 taught us." However they gave me credit for my knowl 
 edge ; and whenever 1 am among them, or any other km 
 dred tribes, they consult me concerning all their undertakings, 
 and generally follow my directions. But 1 do not wish m\ 
 knowledge to be useless I am desirous to communicate il 
 and since the children of my own people will not hear 
 my lessons, I am glad that yours will." 
 
 The reader nnv wish to know, how an event :-u fortunate
 
 I III-: \vrLDliRNESs 2 
 
 ,rn the little Maria, as Tonnaleuka s introduction 10 her 
 
 father s, (Tor she naturally considered Gilbert as such.) took 
 plaes . It happened a r.oui t\vo yer.rs after Gilbert s first set 
 tlement ; .n the Monon<r; : .hrln, and under the following cir 
 cumstances. His sou Patrick, or Padcly, as he was usurdly 
 called, who was then about twelve years old, had oiu: one 
 clay into a deep gten, or defile, about a mile from home, to 
 search for soir.e eo\vs that h?,d been missing, where, not 
 
 J \ ll from a considerable height, and broke one of his lc<js. 
 
 His cries occasioned the appearance of Tonnalonka, who 
 
 immediately placed tl ie hov on hi-- shoulders, and caned him 
 
 joinr. Gilbert had several times of iaie heard of this Ton- 
 
 itka, an>l on oric occasion, a "ie\v .vrrks before, had seen 
 
 *iim,hut had never spoken to him. Grateful no\v ibrihe service 
 
 he had vendrrecl his son, he invited him to frequent his 
 
 se, and enjoy his hospitality, whenever bo should visit 
 
 he nei<rhc 0r! .:;od. 
 
 We ll, maybe no treat yon in \o,,r am way, wi" roasted 
 i nison, an sic like, aithr.u jii \ve kill a deer noo an then; 
 tor v,-e h;; Icev d r.nco muckle in the Indian fashion, linj- 
 ;\va ye;;r hack hi!!, howsomcver, come au see us, mv 
 an we ll aye nvd." ;-e welcome to a share o what s 
 gnun." 
 
 ".My brol ne-v, said Tonnalenka, think no! t!:ai I rh^like 
 your offer whenever I have occasion, I \vill accept of it; 
 hut [ want yir, to know that I do not acecpi of it ;l s wa r es 
 for e irv\ in^ home your wounded son. A virtuous Indian 
 \vill receive no return tVom men for an ac like this. If lu 
 did, the Great Spirit mi^ht refuse to <rivo him that reward 
 which be expects when be dies for In; rewards nvery jjood 
 deed that is not rewarded here, a hundred fold better lhan 
 eiihcr Indian or white man can. 
 
 "But, brother, heat ken to me, I will (ell you what I will 
 do. I will take yon lor my friend, and because you are my 
 friend, I will eat at your table; and when I am Imn<>ry, if 
 I happen to be near you, I will come and tell YOU, and "you 
 will prepare tor me, and I will eat as you oat for I have 
 been among white people, and have beer. Uiught to sup Irom 
 4
 
 various dishes, find also io u.se thr p; ; ttnm< nt^ of p^fir-;. 
 emploj ed bv the nations of the east. 
 
 Brother, hearken tome, i know something oi tin art o 
 botHJ-selting, for i have tjtndied it under the ;;reat Mara 
 looma <n:d. il me, ! siia.il now set youi 
 
 son s le;r. 
 
 AH this \vas an op ra ion ol which (rie 
 entirely ignorant, and as their was no p 
 witiiin perhaps a hundred miles oi him, this 
 readily granted, and the service speedily and t cxe:roush 
 performed. The operator daily waited on ins patient to 1 
 lor several weeks unlit a cure was perfectly accomplished. 
 
 It. was during these visits that tiiis Indian sage appeared 
 to become so much attached to (li lbon s little g m-s Mr-it in- 
 resolved to commence their tutor. He also extended hi: 
 benevolent instruction.-; to the boys:, but the chief object ot 
 his care, as web.ave beiore observed, was tin- link: .Man,*, 
 who, although (he vounu est of the females, soon showed In i 
 self the UK-SI rujK .ble and wiHi;iL r to profit by his histi in-Pun. 
 A" she advanced i:i ye. us, lie drew up for her use :; 
 wliich he entitled -Wisdom for a Young i/idy," in which 
 lie laid clow.i nnxiir.s for t!;e re<nd:itiem of her condnc! a 
 both a stale oi seclusion a;ul society, but particularly tin- 
 latter. ! <;, said he, fortune may yet place you their, 
 Jimonii while pcoj/le like yourself. Wh-ile i hveil : 
 them, I found it was difficult foi men, but far nion so I 
 women to act properly. Their manner of life is not like 
 ouis. Propriety and duiv e.ili for a thousand tilings to be 
 done iimon^ them, .vliich they do not, require among us, and 
 the best informed of their people, whether male or female, 
 cannot at all tinier; remember, and aUend to every thing thai 
 the multiplicity of their institutions, customs, and ceremo- 
 .nice, renders incumbent upon the person who would 11 a!! 
 respects act. well. : h, as 1 perceived while with 
 
 them, thai no one. either expects perfeciion from another, i< 
 aims at it himself, nd this mav bi; tlie ehiet rruise why 
 they have never known any insirance of complete happniessi;. 
 But although I do noi e;v|)ect, rny child, tha* it ever you lr. e 
 amonr hem, mv lemons will enable von to behave hnttf ,
 
 lii.sn Liny of ilieni, \ et i hope ihev \vii) qualify you tur he- 
 ha r v mir better than iluyin^ of them/ 
 
 is another eopius sbiuce. of mforrrrUion \viilnn 
 
 : ,iilv pre- 
 
 i :: :L and 
 
 . the trunks 
 
 loUier, which the reader will remember 
 
 her babes to h-ive mentioned in Li: addiess to (-rill.icrl on 
 
 [y d::v of hi;- wife s death, ^he \v;is soon 
 
 .lor to rcnil ;,iui understand the J Vench 
 
 ..!;c j jio-iish, ;t!iu lo comprehend 
 
 .viialc". cr \vasdifiieult or ohscurt? in citiifr. j iuiu a iinsd oi 
 i, ;rca! cnjoym nt, as \vcll as of iiiiirrovnucnt, lo which she 
 I : ;: 1 !!, a! . , was i:i ; i ^ion, and 
 
 al i i- c .n ;alu(-d Jiis t!>c; more, as 
 
 tlu; s; , cs .oeinc d us her sec- 
 
 oihl I at.hcr, \v, i Li\vay on the business of the 
 
 i ; \vitii whom he was CCUIIK i e l: i or the fame of his 
 wis.lom and lore^islit had spread wideiv a.i;mnosl them, and 
 thev iievi r .vi-ii!: .i to undertake any important enterprise 
 without consulting him, and obtaining h!.-. advice and direc- 
 Moii \\D\\- i i conduct it. On such occasion.-:, he was often 
 ni/li i!)sei:l for many months together, during which 
 
 -he generally (VI i. as in ! "!} , us if he 
 
 had been some near and d<;ur rel 
 
 \ex I i j To: in.: d the members of her own Camilv, 
 
 M. uia s greatest i avorite, and most agreeable ussoci:ile, was 
 ijta-rii Aliinnipita. Tlsis Indian lady had always manii esied 
 tor !ier a ^reai affection, to which the melancholy circnm- 
 stances o! her birth, perliaps, al first t;ave ri^ : e ; but which 
 her own endearing sweetness, lov&liness, and good iriiure, 
 :dier\vard.s strengtiiennd and conlirmed into a sinceie and 
 permanenl attaehinent. in conse(;nence oi this intimacy 
 .vii,. ipa, Mana obtai .si d a tolerabh? kiio\vleilge ol 
 
 lie i it: by UK; uueen, and a considerable ac 
 
 ;u;..ii;iaiic(- v. ith i. -ers, cusloius, and traditions ol 
 
 arious inciiaii irilu s. 
 
 Tlius, iiolwitlistandiiig tins tcainitui \onii;; woman wa;-. 
 <it-i) l>v str;jii;)cis, in (In- l.i. -art of -i. vsi -nid h-ii iriroii 1 ,
 
 O 4 THE WILDERXE.-.V 
 
 " Wilderness," and in ihe midst of savage tribes, vet Pn/n- 
 dmef !> ; ir] not only protected her childhood from ieijirv.Ht; 
 had, almost miraculously, afforded her such means o! ctdti- 
 va .ii g hsr mind as. wi;h the aid of her own excellent under 
 standing, in a irreat measure, supplied the \vant of a more 
 regular and finished education. When, therefore, she h.ul 
 arrived at the age of womanhood, whether we consider the 
 endowments of her mind, or the charms o! her person, >lu 
 was eminently qualified to adorn and dclio-ln ihe mosi p&- 
 .i ijrc! ;-ociet> \ ,\ civilized lil e. 
 
 < HA TIT: it IV. 
 
 ! il;r.:i :iri pan iitlv.ss, m> JaughtPi , hear me 
 
 ( ;hil iless ( live, nru) m-vor r m !.a\c olVs iMViii , 
 iiiit in 111V hi"!ir; fiir the; 1 :i |):irf"it s lovr? 
 1 Jon . h;u o chi , i mi lliei i :;en, 
 
 Oh do t 1 : take me, nud liiou never shnlt, 
 Whi! - lioats tiiis icavl tluit lovos ihy ^(.-ntlc-iif-ss, 
 Ivr.ovs ivliat it is ti illi< r a lois. 
 
 SAVE;. -\EOUf:, 
 
 1 Hi 7 ; until about her .sixteenth year, did the life of Mm;. 
 Frazier pass aionj; i)i an unruffled, undisturbed .stream o; 
 contentment and satisfaction. Xo misfortune had occurred 
 either to herself or her friends of such importance ;ts to oc 
 casion any lastinjr impression of grief upon her mind. It ! 
 true, that the pieva ent quietude of the m<>s secluded and 
 tranquil life \v dl l>e soinc inies interrupted by small domestic 
 cares, crosses, inconveniences, and ungratified wishes ; and 
 she vvas, no doubt, like every one else in the world, occa 
 sionally annoyed with such unaccommodating occurrences. 
 But compared with the general serenity of her life, these 
 were only like the touch of a fly upon the cheek, soon ob 
 literated and soon forgotten,
 
 in was about the age before mentioned, when the. hist 
 >sy impression (if a durable nature, was made upon her 
 mind. Of tlif historv of her birth she had hitherto boon 
 >.n i<?;imranc, and never entertained the least suspicion 
 i.v.tt hat iiilhert ;uul his wile, (who had always treated her 
 \vitn the luost afiectionate indulgence,) were, her parents. 
 Aliiquippa s attachment to her was. the, cause of her now be 
 coming acquainted with the truth. This Indian princess, 
 who v. as now advancing in years, \\ as eiiiidless, and had, 
 fore, for some time past, unknown U. Maria, cherished 
 :>. siron;/ desire, to adept iier lor u claniniier. >She iiad once 
 ur twice expressed her wish to OJiibeil. hut could not pro- 
 furp Ins e</n^en!._ h-lie thought, ho\vever, that her favorite 
 liiciently old t^ ;(; for li- tx If. She, iherefore, 
 the\ conversed to^eth T in iier \vi, :wam, une\- 
 v addresi-.ed hei as foil; 
 
 dung ; : , l;e-ir me ! and ;hink seriously upon what 
 i i!oiii<: !, say. .\uture ha^ not made me thy inoihor, 
 lion for you has h>nu a^ o told ivin that it would have 
 been weli had she done so, ior had you been fonr.ed oi inv 
 own body, 1 could not have; loved you more sfron<;Iv tlnn I 
 do. or lelt more interested in your welfare. 
 
 !)an<> iuei- ; our customs enable; me, in tins ease, to cor 
 rect nature. You are already the child of my heart, I wish 
 K> ni, ike vo i liie child of my adoption. If you con^enl, 1 
 
 hail call tlu- heads oi MIV liibe lo;i ( !hei% that tliev may con- 
 l! : ; ! :ny wish." 
 
 The. unexpected proposal both astonished and confused 
 .Maria so inucii. that for >ome moments she could not reply, 
 Mii!|ii:[)p:-i llierei ore continneil : 
 
 .ilv cliiid, listen a<jam ! i see your peiplexity. It nia\ 
 be, you d<i not approve of my proposal. Perhaps you do 
 nn! inve m<: ,*<_, niueli as I thou^lif. e.r, perhaps you may be 
 
 nvillmo to Jive in this u itjwuiri, a!;er our manner. Hero 
 *e ii vi no! so i:i:uiy utensiis tor cookiniJ, and preparint- 
 
 ; lnr the !ah!c. :-.s \vhere you have been accustomed 
 o inc. [ ,,( , il we liavi; not, look to ii, mv d.iu^hter ha\e 
 if n"! !ii. ire (;).;( . liii i i 1 we not [ess annoyance to endure 
 :oiij hre-side l.iboi \nd \, | \ve ure nourished, and have 
 ! :i Hid blood u.ioii niil hones, ;i^ well :is the \\dil! 1 people.
 
 ii4 THE Wlf.DnRXESS, 
 
 Look at ; ,i i 1 ! i have seen forty-two si 
 
 :<} :<rn ! impaired in strength ? Are rr.y bones drier, or 
 is myfhsh morn shrivelled lhan if I had been fed at a white 
 Minn s table . 
 
 " Mv eiii d, listen to me ! If you become iny daughter, 
 yon will hernine accustomed find reconciled to our mode ol 
 living. ^ en will be honored by our tribe. King? and 8,1- 
 .hems \vill desire you in marriage. You will, if yon choose, 
 have ihe pinnae to resist them, and yet keep them in sub 
 jection, as 1 did. Or, as Shannalow, the eagle of his tribe, 
 /ruined me in marriage, so may some great warrior gain you, 
 and make yon happy in his love, and joyful in hi.- renown. 
 You have heaul me, rnv child! "Will von become my 
 daughter ?" 
 
 Maria v\as still much perplexed for a reply. She was 
 resolved to refuse, hut she fean d to f.iTend. She found now, 
 however, that she mist sav something; and she endeavored 
 to oxpre.-s her n I M,- a in icr vs as iiule (offensive as .-ho 
 could. 
 
 ".Mother," said she for P.O she had been ahvav? arms- 
 tomed to -iddress Alliquippa 1 have heard your proposal 
 which i s the re-nlt of kiii birss for me. It exeitrs frratilinic 
 in ruy heart, and nhhouirh 1 cannot become your da: 1 
 for I have parents, ii> whom 1 o\\e a ( iiild s atlection ai ; i. 
 tlntV vet 1 love vnu as much as if 1 conid. Think not, 
 therefore, itiat rny refusal sprinps from my not. loving yon, 
 for how can I but lose one \\liu has been so kind to me?" 
 
 " My child, hear me!" returned Alluiuippa "I l>elir-\r- 
 yoii love me. But hearken to a truth. It i : - right -son should 
 hear it. Wha! paivnt Viave you in the world nearer to you 
 than I run? None. Or is there one in it that lores you 
 better ? None. Gilbert Frazier is not your i aiher. as you 
 have supposed nor is his wife your mother she did nor 
 bear you more than I did. Alas ! she who bore you. died 
 in doing so. What, mv child ! be not surprised. Oh, do 
 not tremble ! j wislud not to frighten you. Oh ! Spirit ot 
 Maneto! save niy child ! ? 
 
 Here Alliquippa caught Maria, tor she appeared to be 
 falling from her seat. Her countenance had turned deadly 
 pale, her lips quivered, nnd sensation for a moment tnrsook
 
 THE WILDEKXESS, 3ft 
 
 her. !She recovered gradually, bin it was several minute:-* 
 before she could sufficiently collect her senses to speak dis- 
 liucily concerning the strange and distressing intelligence 
 she had just received. 
 
 >l .\h! ? said she, without recollecting Alliquippa s pre.-- 
 encC "what has she told me? Some strange thing. Alas! 
 it was this that I have not a mother and she died in giv 
 ing me hirlh ! Merciful Providence ! and am I so bereaved . 
 Here she melted into tears, and her agitation somewhat sub 
 sided, when perceiving Alliquippa inucn affected, she ad- 
 dussed her calmly. 
 
 "My mother! be not so disturbed on my account. 1 
 have, indeed, heard what distresses me. 1 will not ask you 
 to tell me the whole story. 1 will ask it of my father. 
 But, 1 think you said I had no father. Ah! say, was T 
 dreaming- or. am 1 really a bereaved orphan?* 
 
 M v child !" replied the queen, "I am rejoiced to hear 
 you a /ain. I feared you \veie gone for ever, and 1 blamed 
 my. -elf for what I told you. But, listen, child ! Alliquippa 
 never told lies what 1 said was truth. The Great Father 
 is } our only parent. but. he is a good one ; and lie has given 
 von friend* who love you, and you l:ave never wanted t ov 
 anything. Thru, child, listen to me ! it is not rio ht for you 
 to grieve so much. It is as if you dislrusfd the good will 
 of voiir great lather towards you. But let me not find f.mlt 
 with what 1 have done myself. I grieved when Shannalow 
 was killed, although it was in bailie against, our enemies, 
 and he has been much praised. But I was to blame. And 
 I have since thanked the Great Spirit, that my hu-hand died 
 a hem ! 
 
 " Hearken further ! I wished you for my daughter, be- 
 e;>use I have no child, ami you have no paient, ami because 
 I love you, and believe ihat, you love me. But my brother. 
 Gilbert Fiazier, and niv sister, his wife, love you also, and 
 have i l-M-u (r,,( K | to you. They aie of \our own kind, and 
 , u may ii" wi-li to leave ibem lor a mother ol a red coloi. 
 Child I spe;di plainly ! Follow \our o\\ u inclinations 
 it sou become mv daughter, 1 shall he <flad. ll not, "you 
 can still be my friend, and I shall hi 1 satisfied. * 
 
 For ihe,->e eneroii.s sentmients .Maria (ell, and expressed
 
 FHK . ] hj ;!-.. 
 II llde; ;l!ii! t:dslil;j I -iiV .: < i Hie qtlftlill, she : r 
 
 home, \vilii rhed nut! opnre.-<-ed 
 
 
 
 iort of 
 
 . 
 
 
 Oh, G 
 
 should i 
 
 1 ;"- i 
 
 Thi 
 
 on ;ic!-tM!p.! 
 
 ..MI; ,, , Other p.-ifii: 1 ;!! s-llp- 
 
 - :; felt a: slid !ri:! sonielhin j lik;; a ffrcat M 
 
 .help 
 ;. nil i 
 
 ihrovi i . . . ; . . : ,j vm<- 
 
 never!.-) tiistnist his Providence, she ranched home in a far 
 riinrp ro-nnosfd suite ol mind than \vhen she left Alliquippa .- 
 
 Her i .gitfition. however, was too ar.parent unite he nt ..jiee 
 observed !)\- she affectionate !\ei:r. \\ l,o t e.lt tor her weli-bein^ 
 til the soiieitude ol a re; 
 
 " \\ h;;i ;>\\x \, i : -! she i diioi soinethinp ^ 
 
 svraiiL 1 , niv hnirn i .n; von no we;-! : " 
 
 " Xo nsy kind mother !"" siie replied, " L ain-not. ^il, \>\\l 
 :t ;s rn\ heiirt alone that is sick. Alas ! that lien! i.-ei-.; iiu.it n 
 (.i .ves vou a debt ot gratitmlp. \\hich it \vill never !v al ili- 1 i--
 
 THE WILDERNESS 
 
 \Vhy, mv ehiii!, said Xe!h-, surprised at such an ob:-er- 
 
 in "\Yiiv, what s come owre ye ? Tint s stianjre talk, 
 
 indeed! I doobt some o tliis books ye re aye readin hae 
 
 pu! ye cra/v. I ;:l tcii taidd ye it was vran<f to s udv sae 
 
 mucki 1 . Tak mair diversion, an sport yonrsel, like Xaa- 
 
 M vexes \ i;ur puir mother to sc > on 
 
 .My niolher, do y:n; sa\ . " ci .ed Maria, almost uricon- 
 scioii.-ly "Aii! would to heaven lhal you were my mother 
 then, you would not see me now iiuhappv. 
 
 "\Voidd L wi;re your mother I" i- Deaied the alarmed 
 NclU-. --Die ony hody ever hear l!ie like o that? \Vhy 
 ye ken, I hae aye lieen your mother ay, an 1 aye will he 
 your molher. lor ye hae aye In en a L r "de h.iim to me. 
 DiMiia cry noo, my bonnv jewel dimia cry sae some yen 
 toid IV their toimues ! mauu liae taidd ye some ill story 
 to vex you. But dinna mind ihuin, my iiaiin -ye hae aye 
 been my aim an aye will be my ain ! 
 
 So ,-ayin:: , she kissed Aiaria, who was weepiuo bitterly, 
 on the i-heek, and wiped the tears from it with a handker 
 chief, while al the tin; moisture \vas breaking 
 Iroin hei own c^yes. 
 
 "Tell me." she said, "my bi-iinv lamb! what vexes ye 
 -a 1 - Im 1 canua bear to POC \ e oryin this way. " 
 
 Maria irrasped h.er hand : she !i, ( ;k"d in her eoutitei .anre 
 md saw that her heart was I idl, and >\\< could not rcsulve to 
 inerease its sorrow l>v disflaiminir lhat tender relationship 
 -In- li-id hitherto conceived herself to ; " .r to tin- affectionate 
 fuardian and cheri~her of her rhildlmocl. 
 
 Ves! I fcrl it," siie exclaimed, --von are mv moiliei 
 ny besi of moihers. nnd shall still, ^ < :i! be so thouL r ii 1 ha\-e 
 ecu told you wero not." 
 
 "An wha v. as c;:c hard-hearted :i^ to I ll YOU sae, my 
 , -shame hi theii i!l tnii m- : cerdd thev no ha(> been 
 T eni! Io\ ed than ID blah not wh:>t can noo do naebody 
 .. ;,, h ( .;,r " 
 
 "Ah iv moil r>r 1 >h ! I will still 
 
 ali \ ou so. iho : : no rin lit." 
 
 ".Nai 1 richt ! Maria ! m\" am ! s-ie l.mir m\ - am wean ! \Vlia 
 lare tak the richt, irae ye to ca me molher Sair, s-<ir, to 
 \<; \\-\\\ be the (lav when ye rea<e t i rli
 
 now, mother ! I r.m better." And she endeavored 10 ap- 
 
 
 
 A l t! " V; . 1 
 
 bred ye, aa wa mused ye in my lap, nn 1 
 
 >" sae. O!i : iiinr.ii thin] n 1 it." 
 
 " Vft: . :-l!, rii\ 
 
 
 
 ..-.-. ! 
 
 ih in th . i so uiiu- n 
 
 [.are and sol i u lliii-U 
 
 ;>h : I i tee] ;.i i 
 
 io\ t; yo 
 
 i;letii?f3 and coml i-i-i 
 : >n restored i!ic.. n in irnu 
 
 .M:iri;i now i inotlier of (.^1.10011 Aliiquij 
 
 propi .: hter, and iho accouiii * >}>>. hud 
 
 : i-. 
 
 llv, in return, acquaintfld lu;i with ctii ;iic (;ire.uins ; 
 oniici -,. .1 with her i.-inh, o( which tin- leader i- aire.uh in 
 lVrn!:\i. her relation hy ohserviinr vsiiir hiilir-i 
 
 an i v/Diild ii p; lauld you tnir tilings Ian; it, iin 
 
 ii.kiu P. ili^iui-i) vou \vi LIU e.etlier, 
 
 it ma 1 . an mother, 
 
 v:h;t like von a? w; : ! th. iu til il an; oor ain (lesh 
 
 rin ninid, \ve -ive put it aii i ruc. day to day. \Ve I eared n 
 wad Iff! an ni .r-o trial, an \e micht !i;ie thouelit we. (ill n 
 irae unkindiie^>. But you cann.i tliinL sae noo. [ lie tiiaf-- 
 owre; I m uhd o l, .nT ] hup,-; in Gotl. liu" 1 threat Paren! (V 
 i., 1 ; / i.h-jt h.- il keep u.^ ;i i. appv Ian;; tiffhediPi ."
 
 ! II [, Vi i I. Pi . :; -. . 
 
 mute, rcrleriion, , m res lon 
 
 ii ti> SUCi li it W I.. I di, ! l U i : 
 
 f I ( ,(;,; ,! ! - ;: ; |o plV-. ( i I <>r !>|S - 
 
 ihitikni r her unhappy. va- reluctance to 
 
 tii;,: uneasiness in this good couple, which she knu\v any 
 appal i !! . ailliction of hers wo icc,d he 
 
 In rn.iki; cxci lioii.s to roil -; 1 ;!! iVoia their vicv/ many ;i ion-.; 
 flour s mental auxiciy, .viiich, hj il her (.<! 
 
 i ! . wouh!. inMi) i .is liiiie forward, Irecjin iliy obtrudf 
 her. She could not, at anv lime, toiai ty divnst iif. 
 timid of the recollection : was (le.ji; 
 
 
 
 npi ti tin: \voihi, without po any nauir; : to i!>- 
 
 protfH tion aiid su .tpori of an) lellov. -heini;. "\i.\- : sfi^ 
 
 
 illiiiitx wi h inin 
 lio\\- nonil ortaljle 1. ^iio:i!d ire!. f>ui. -;ias ! the,;" 1 
 
 ! .;! thi.-i srnae oi hu loruue: foi on 
 
 iiionieiii, !n nratnudc to (rod, p>r I M; 
 had hitherto eii|oyed, nor her alleetion and (in! 1 
 tho.- ; n k lit ! peop! 11 . \v !io ha 
 
 CO Ol , ; i 
 
 oft 
 
 ra ily restored before In- reiii; 11. 
 
 overed that . ;onvMi .ini r had taken pi 
 iiriee he la.si saw 1 fill nid viv.i 
 
 jitiou v.diich she iiad hiihen. ) ds.- pl: 
 win : ; . kin ./ \ . - her natural bent , d. ! ni Mi 
 
 . 
 nil;. 
 
 f- aid in , von do wi fuin ::i IPVC tot 
 
 laull "1 
 M\n 
 
 in , arid evej . . nel 
 
 OL bin !:. re piMilatu i , . lei )"; ntanec . him L(J -0th 
 
 1 jOa ari i ina i. in<l s lorpfoio, ri concilr him (r. 
 
 i .rn . i!-
 
 40 iHL \VILDERXESE. 
 
 "My Daughter you say you have no kindred; bin you 
 only mean such kindred as hare been called so by the CIK-- 
 toins of the world. Th^sc il may sometimes be a comCorl 
 to have, but it it not always a Miisforume to want: for the 
 faults of a mai . s. kindred olten reflect upon him tlu-ir evil 
 consequences, when he himself is blameless. But, daugh 
 ter, you have kindred. The Father o! the world has given 
 us all a common origin : we have all sprung from hinr-eli. 
 Every one you see is, therefore, your relative, whether 
 white man or Indian. ueh is the unchangeable law of na 
 ture! and so long as y;;u act justly towards these vour 
 relaves, they are, bound, bv that unchangeable law to sup 
 port and protect you. 
 
 "But. niv child. I sneak thus, not to chide, but io advis< 
 von, not blame, but to comfort \ ou ; for although it is Inn" 
 hi! for yon to grieve, yet, I .ir such a cause ;i s yours, it :.- 
 natural, and, therefore, cannot be offensive to vour (-ere;; 1 
 Father. -Nay, m\ daughter, hear me! J am :.;hd 
 that von ];ossess those line feulings ot the hear!, that swei 
 and amiable sensibility, which is the true gourr ot affection 
 and tc!i:ici;ue-s, and which, when it can be controlled b\ 
 g, ior. ami rea-on, is <i nreat ornament to vour sex. But, hV 
 vour (j\vn sake, I wisii you to restrain its impulses witlii;: 
 due bound.-. Its possession is often a great augmentation io 
 happiness, out, unless under proper control, it is almost con 
 slantly a great source of misery, and the origin of mis 
 fortune. 
 
 "And now, daughter, I must say. that yon have reason, 
 considering all things, to be satisfied with your lot. God 
 ha^ r -nveii you kind and steady protectors in my brother 
 Frazier and his wife ; and. have J not been to you the hither 
 of instruction, and can you think me les-- than a father M 
 aTecuon. or that I shall ever see you in misfortune, and no?, 
 step forth to relieve you . 
 
 "Daughter, be of jntod cheer -your blesMtigs are mau\ - 
 You have health, and understanding, and knowledge, and 
 on earth many friends, and God in heaven .
 
 1 HK i : i 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 l,o in the d : theii * enturous ,-, n . . 
 
 1 daniii- bind. ri ::.(i i!if;s.s of oar h toil ; 
 
 ith ;i ynill hi Ht s \ ,:-, , 
 
 itHi lard in a di 
 
 :jn r which inLrht tame 
 to llUir d iirts u( pc.iee, 
 !)!(j;ik waste the boon <>! jilrnt v claim. 
 And cause Mr accursed n ii;ii of savant; linitb to ci 
 
 Vb nil t\vo vear- alter Maria became acquainted with hei 
 : lair ol urj)!ia!i:(i.n , ;MI (ivcnt took phuiL 1 , which, as it h;ul the 
 most unjiortant influcncu upon her destiny, it, is our businrs:- 
 to pf-latL . 
 
 Shortly after the treaty of Aix-lu-Chapellu, which let t the 
 lioundaries botwi ii the British and French de-minions in 
 America altogether undefined, .he British o ovenunent, 
 which claimed an unlimited extent of country westward, on 
 a parallel with their eastern settlements, granted a lar^c pur- 
 iion n! l.uid. situated alioii! the h ad oi the Ohio river, to a 
 number ol noblemen and opulent merchants, who associated 
 ton-ether under the titlr ol "Tin.- Ohio Company." This 
 eoinp.inv, which was Ibrmcd some time in the year 17;")0, 
 Contemplated t^rritoii-d M w/11 a^ commercial advantauss, 
 :md employed -e vend adventurous individuals to explore i he 
 . ry, with a view to its settlement. li was soon under- 
 stoml, however, tha (he French, who also madu preleiisions 
 lo tin.-, country, would re>i^t any British settlement that 
 should he ui.ide there. But the company determined to per- 
 m their designs; and, i or the j)iirposc of giving efFuc.l 
 lo then operations, m the year 1 7f> ,J, it was resolved to send 
 a p.irty o! men to lake lormal possession, and erect a tort on 
 t||. southeast side o! the Ohio, near ( hartier s creek, ah, tut 
 three niile> hel.iw \vlu-re I ltlshur^h now stands. 
 
 I lioniHs VdderU", ] i|. i wealths merchant ol I hdadel- 
 ph.a, ;md ;\ l-.idin^ m^m ie; and a din < t-T o| th.e i ompany,
 
 promote! H of tin- enitii |>i isi ! " 
 i } . iti\ 
 
 i neiu. ; . .- 
 
 , \\ ho was j i nran oi 
 
 lints, he ;;i:-i> emigrated 
 
 SS I); UK 
 
 
 . r 
 
 . 
 ui ii>.. 
 
 . 
 
 ! 
 
 Hri i:- . 
 
 After :. ; . 
 
 abm 
 
 
 
 inqu ! v. c 
 
 e rn \ \ 
 
 thf. tb 
 
 
 
 . 
 i 
 
 with llie l;iu;:-iM!L-. 
 
 Differ hornc j iittlc delib ;! account of the p -riiy oi h> : - 
 
 naUi-rifiUni .r, yji-id^d to dis re-iue?! ; ami n^ s i ( ii P 
 
 tioii. i;ilent?, and c,oi i\vn, 10 diffi 
 
 culty ni ircltiro lii n ;>l ; .v. diii.oii. 
 
 A.t the time tliot ( ierly undertook the manage 
 
 rr.ifcni oi this enterpi-ise, \viiirh .vas one. in iho^e days, some 
 what novel in its na iire, ho \vas in ins twenty second yeai. 
 and a; -accomplished, active, handsome 2nd p-aiiarn a voiuis 
 man as any lady could wish to behold. His s aiury \vanti;-.; 
 rut ope ipch o s:x iee* His fe^tnrep ">vf r<= veil f ".riT;."-~.
 
 r \pre*si\ : nth in-n-voltMte--, nml 
 
 . nli 0-ood irtturr. I i : :!., rk. intelligent and 
 
 i-tratinir. lin Iviir !; :md somewhat evirled wl 
 
 : was all K/oth I sh 
 and red. 
 istlv ro- 
 h- i 
 
 \-. ; ! : c.on 
 --. 
 
 
 
 ;! quite 1 ( iiii-rciM 
 i ill-" 1 , : 
 IOVOUS .TJH10 , - 
 
 
 
 , 
 " 
 
 ; ; Ill I ;i il l 
 - i i)(! IP. U. " 
 
 " \\ us ih- :i nothing 
 
 . 
 
 Plld i;-!cl:)!T!\- 
 
 
 
 : . 
 
 I to cvicoiin 
 
 rliii of Ano llSt. It CO;; 
 
 ! <> i won . . tl about a coiiplfi doxpn 
 i u-ick ! ii \viih : i 
 
 initionp. !:. : -, lu 
 
 - . T 1 ! ", \v :;!! :iii ii;: .- men. 
 
 r : i i i i . Mic. li.i nislnp. nr ii;r: i:- nr:- 
 
 O TV \ . 
 
 !i:is ;!i -i. :i nd i . 1 1 -\ v. i i \\-iliiii.:- 
 
 / :i: ; si M lu i"isc (i, iii ,i i:i :h" pi i ii li iii:! ;!! . > iii :ui\ iiur\ . 
 Jiiarlc^ liimscll ; ;i |]iiit-p:,\ military L ari .ain, u iio iiad oanf 
 ouir!: 1 in t!n j \r\v Kniii::;;d \vars a^aiasi the !ncli;.ui^, and 
 .nderstonri -. ver:!! of thoir lanp-uagres ; an en^ iM^er ; :i VOUJIP
 
 44 THE \\ IT.bKRM ri.~. 
 
 surgeon who was employed not merely as such, hut as sec- 
 re la r\ to the expedition ; and two yountr men of mercantile 
 knowledge, who had heen bred merchant s clerks, were the 
 only individuals, not professionally workmen ; unless we 
 exclude from this class. Charles s body servant, J eter 
 M Fall, who had followed his dear master from the sweet 
 city of Dublin Deli! loiio life to it ! Over all England 
 and Scotland, and Cermanv and Italv, and France, and 
 now to America ; and was ready besides to follow him all 
 the world over, and Ireland into the bargain, if he should 
 ever u-o back to it." 
 
 Every man of this stout-hearted and stout-bodied party 
 was well armed, and well prepared to encounter either tin: 
 natural obstacles of the way, or the attacks of an enemy, 
 should they meet with any, whether French or Indians. 
 
 They left Philadelphia laden with the prayers and good 
 wishes of the citizens, and the fourth day afterwards crossed 
 the Susquehannah in a flat, amidst the cheers and acclama 
 tions of the people then resident upon its hanks. As they 
 proceeded, however, the obstacles to their progress increas 
 ed, and it was the eighth day from their startinir before the\ 
 reached the South Mountain. They had great difficulty in 
 passing ibis mountain. Their axes and mattocks were pm 
 m freijiieut requisition. On the eleventh day of their jour 
 ney, however, they reached the plain near where ( bam 
 bersburg is now situated. They here pitched their teuis 
 and halted for a couple of days, in order to shout aame, and 
 give those who were fatigued an opportunity of resting. 
 
 They set forward ao-,dn on the tenth day, and arrived at 
 the eastern foot of the JNorth, or, as it is sometimes called, 
 the Cove Mountain, that night. The crossing this stupen 
 dous mountain was one of the most laborious ta>ks they 
 encountered on the whole route. They set their bodies to 
 it, however, with great vigor, and hewed their way manfully 
 through the almost impervious thickets that incumbered the 
 numerous rocks and precipices over which they had to pass 
 into the valley on the western ;-ide, in about four day?. 
 Here, on the site of the present M Connelstown, they again 
 halted for two days, for the sake of rest and recreation. 
 
 in this manner they proceeded over thr> \-n-<t and moun-
 
 I. Hi: WILDERNESS. if 
 
 , wilderness, not unapdv called the BaekbojK-; of 
 a, \viih iiifinji: ;-uri;j footing for their horses, 
 
 up, nml some ti in i 
 
 iin- 
 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 ir i minify, 
 
 
 :nl \vhrn 
 
 
 Us. 
 
 y 
 
 Nav, ; f men 
 
 : . sposed. 
 
 I 
 
 
 
 
 
 ; ! 1C- 
 
 
 
 
 
 . 
 
 
 i n ! i ( i i ! i > ! . ! ! i ;i I a 
 
 ; 
 vopi [ to re ; > crcf k, and takf 
 
 I j)( I-S(" ; - 
 
 ! ! c soon in irki il out. lli< j pi:;r li led lor a . 
 
 ,\\c\\ lunik near th" c,-"c!v on in- ^oiitii si ic 
 . i. n 1 11 .itr ,! ! : ii I. hill <! ; ! i 1 ;; !>- 
 
 ;!(!!>;; -ll iVolU ; 
 
 in c isilv -u--- iii-iiil. il T - In: 
 
 " .^ir iVcd \\ -::i:!i:i i ; 1 ! .1 :";irili I 1 tit "i llrh :i (>il t, ailll 
 
 >- -\ t)i< :,-iv -lidii<T |c.f li inimrary di.Ti iic 1 , tor lie \\ :IH in 
 " - :1 :h" ihc I V iir rmder MI iio ! <> ( n! I ,c Re 1 ! . ! .
 
 46 *hr. WILDERNESS. 
 
 about twenty miles distant, had expressed great displeasure 
 at tlit 1 report of his incursion to this country, and it was 
 probable that he would no; even refrain from violence in 
 order to drive him off. 
 
 Charles iiiouniu that it was not likely the French would 
 use force for such a purpose, :is it was then u time <>f peace 
 between France and England; hut, at all events, he con 
 ceived it prudent to erect some species of defence, for if the 
 Freih li commandant should not venture- openly to attack 
 him, lie niijjht secretly spur on some of the Indian tribes 10 
 do so. 
 
 His men were immediately set to work ; some in prepa 
 ring timber for the block-house, ami some in dicing tiio 
 trench. They hud been two or three days employed at this 
 business, when Peter .VI Fail, who nau been hewing timber 
 at some distance from the rest, perceiving a deer, threu 
 down his axe, and seizin" his <iun, ;lbr, 10 guard as much as 
 po.-ijhle against any hosiile su; prise, ea. h man was ordered 
 to have his chained musket convenient to liim whiie at uorii, ; 
 proceeded after it lor a short distance. It had stoppe i. an.! 
 in a croi!chin<j posture, amonu some thick undergrowth oi 
 hazels and spicewood, he silently ami slowly approached it, 
 when, all at once, he heard the sound of human voices, as if 
 talku.g together. He thought no more of the deer, for he 
 was altogether attracted by the sounds, in which he believed 
 there was something not absolutely unknown to him. He 
 drew near them with as much silence and circumspection a> 
 he could, and soon distinguished the words to be French, a 
 language of which he hau acquired r-"me knowledge while 
 attending his master on his European navels. He still con 
 tinued cautiously approaching until iie obiained a slolen view 
 of the speakers. They were white men, and he had ;, 
 hesitation in believing them to be French, although they had 
 on uo uniform that could dUlinauish them as such. Each 
 of them wore a plain round hat, a short gray colored hunting 
 roundabout, and gray pantaloons. They were standing lean 
 ing upon their guns, beneath a brush-covered bank that over 
 looked a small run, and from which bank, concealed by tin- 
 brush, he saw them only lour or five yards below him. 
 After listening to their discourse for about fifteen or uveotv
 
 TIIK WILDERNESS. 4? 
 
 minutes. he became impatient to communicate it to his mas 
 ter, it bein<]f of such a nature as to show that there was mis- 
 o lif soon expect; >.! ; hut happening to withdraw from 
 hi- skulkincj-place raihr-r incautiously, they espied him, and 
 in iiii iiretl at him. () .: of ir:eir balls passed through 
 
 hi r- - hat, and another thronim the skirt of his c r >at. without 
 inii .rina him. He speedily returned their favor, and saw 
 m fall, but did not wait to ascertain whether he 
 v d or merely wounded. lie hastened through the 
 
 with the swiftness of an Asaliel, and was, in a few 
 s, breath.ler-s before his master. 
 
 Oh ! holy Brid^e-t ! master !" cried he in a great flurry 
 "I am wound - d boih in the head and ;he tail!" 
 
 Wounded! how?" exclaimed Charle--;. " Why. what 
 has happened. Peter?" 
 
 : i. nothing, your honor," replied Peter, somewhat 
 reco erinir hi ion; bit 1 I shot a Frr-icinnan a* 
 
 nc t. .<>: lion the " 
 
 Th :), Peter, 1 dare sav it is th j rrencbmnii, and not 
 you, thai is wounded. 7 
 
 Oiih ! iifiu . master, sure didn t I. tr-il v<>u the truth? 
 
 1. at the hall they shot throno-h. m\" h; af! I ho::a d it 
 
 wiii-dmir like a pipe-staple. You ll see it there in both 
 
 of mv hat, your honor. CMi ! ir llcw like the wind 
 
 thi oiii:!) a barn door 
 
 i: lias 1101 c.raeked vour skull for von, I. hope, Peter. 
 Let me see. Whv ! you blunderpaie, there is not so much 
 as a scratch here " 
 
 O j;h . your honor, let Pel;-;- alone for thru. The devil 
 1 yet made the bullet that broke m\- head, ah nouoh he 
 sent one throa.ji] mv lail too. I ,\ niv soul, it was tight 
 ffoincr, to be shot tbrouoh at both (-nd.s. master !" 
 
 And yet to be injured in neither," observed ("harlo?. 
 was iiou satisfied that 1 eter had ree. i^ed no liurt. 
 " i!.., lei! HIV- ho\\ tJiis atl ajr has happeiied. \Vhere did 
 vo i see iii" L renciinian, and \\ nat \\-as he abmit " 
 
 ll\- in \ soul, Mr, ,: wasu i one, but two ef them 1 saw, 
 nkulkino", like thu yes irom a Kilmainhani twist, behind a 
 ha . -stack, it was just, \ our honor, uiider ihe bro\v of the 
 hitT ditch vonder wiier.- the litth 1 rr/er rnn-:. that I spied,
 
 mem, as ?uucr as a m anii.n- iljt- bi - i , "i hc> 
 
 .vere speaking French i, \vhen J lark, 
 
 ind i 
 
 - 
 
 1 > 
 
 . 
 . I H :.;(! in 
 
 us . : th( -- hnn<r 
 
 . 
 
 
 , 
 aid. they i^oulti i^iie u? 
 
 . 
 
 ii mauei bcitei 
 
 than . . [ii>\v !" 
 
 . 
 
 " G(.*h : ir, i;-i;h. til love thev expi 
 
 tVa- ihey ci ne \ et." 
 
 " tlasli 1 . t ;- , ; ! :-cii!i(l ilir hao le, :ihd <" il in the men 
 uri media! 
 
 Pt 1 .); -.iid ;iy ho \v:i.s disvered. :;::>l in :t i( J " !iiinuLi j s lie 
 v.-holo p:>rty ,vns a^-crniih-d. 
 
 Charles comiaonipsTod (;> iheni Pr^-v ? av-couii o i% ^he 
 aariijev ihar thrpaicnfd .horn, arid desired ihem tu keep ;. 
 
 : 00d !-..K.-k OUT. Mild !!(K if) Sf O:i: MI^ l!!! il lUHhr-i 1 ulu..T -:. i.c
 
 I MK WTLDEUNKSS. 19 
 
 tin ii conferred prnatelv with C,tpi:iiii Ridgely on ihr best, 
 measures lo he adopted. 
 
 li was agreed that the men should ;it once he employed 
 MI constructing ;: hasty parapet for immediate defence, of 
 ;he materials they had already [)repared, so that if attacked 
 theN miirht have sonic shelter (Voni the enemy. At the 
 time a n r \\as sent to king Shingiss, acquaint 
 
 ing bun with the state of a Hairs, and requesting his assist- 
 ance as an ally in repelling any attack. 
 
 Shinjfiss, with live or :-i\ warriors, soon waited upon 
 Charles, and addressed him in the following manner: 
 
 Brother ! 1 will speak freely your people and the 
 French dislike 1 each other, and many of us dislike you both. 
 \ our two nations disagree about this countrv which belongs 
 io neither of you. It is a hundred generations since the 
 (in a! Spirit who made it, first {rave it to our fathers, and to 
 heir sons for ImntitiLr irround. They and we have pos- 
 ;essed it ever since. Is it not strange that, yon white na- 
 tioiis should quarrel more fiercely about our property than 
 \ve ourselves . 
 
 Brother ! I will speak truth, and you will hear. We 
 ha\e no objection to your lodjfinir. ainon<> us, and tradinp 
 with us. so limn us \ mi trade fairly, and behave peaceablv, 
 Mid make no aiiempt lo engross our land. 
 
 Brother, be attentive ! 1 do not say that you have yet 
 h<ate<l us. nor thai \ on intend it. Hut we have heard ot 
 oiiii traders from the nsinii" sun who did so. This has 
 illronted our people. Thev see- that tlu 1 children of vour 
 iiation can be dishonest, and they distrust, von. 
 
 Brother, hear the truth ! J nave \ on permission to 
 iiild here, because I know that you cannot, as we do, live 
 n wigwams, and 1 wauled vou to be comfortable, that \ on 
 in i^li l have no CHUM of complaint, and that \ on iniu ht trade 
 
 ||> ill |ii|l 
 
 Brother! 1 t. II sou these thinirs thai vou mav know 
 iiow tu plea.-e the Indians. If \ on attend to them, thev 
 \ill. whin \ on are distressed, lend yon assistance. If you 
 Icspise diem. the\ \\il! \\ still \\heu yiii nt^. d them, or it 
 nay be they \\-ill lit i the hatchet against you. 
 
 Brother l.i-i nie no\v sav, that vou lia\c not \ et dis
 
 :,0 i HI VVI1 bFRNFSs 
 
 pleased me, h\H thr iYeru h have: and it \i\\ \varnors were 
 
 iii, for voit h;i\ r in v permis 
 sion lo live here, ami the French have no rip h: lo 
 you. [ wil innoahs-. Their \va 
 
 come when the^ hi , y, and \vi;h th.op;; of my 
 
 rribr- that are \vi n \vil 
 
 whole (lav hfioiv \\ c.n: , 
 Brother ! L!>O\ 
 
 .. as .our o wu 
 btivnyoi iliat ..id it; and thai the lmiinn.> should he d- 
 
 ii \ ( ;, ; ! v \ on 
 
 that ili(,-\ \viil acfain lelie 
 
 distressed : so. ] iinvi- 
 
 done. m\- broiiic; 1 ! , Lei \vhai 
 
 VOU ll - 
 
 Irother !" replii I . i ; \>] , 
 
 pie have ] 
 for ii. 15; 
 
 doilbl. !!!:! 
 
 innocf .r the punishm-; ni kno .v- 
 
 :itv, r ay!? to ( 
 
 . . n I lii shall r; n 
 _:oon ioi ! 
 
 Shii;.0"is-.- ; no\\ : , . . 
 
 afterv. aivi-- \i iu n tv, . 
 
 ward? I !,; . . thev 
 
 \vere I ovd, the sirm?.! 
 
 by whirh they inibri ler that ihere is a far- np- 
 
 proachir.o-. AY hen : ic hed C ii;:rif-s. they inl< 
 
 him that there v.-as a ; . i>i ihe \vitlrm 
 
 n short ciists. ve . W:-;H 
 
 \-evv sorr\ :- hand o n^s:-?! in re:if - 
 
 iin.T iliein. 
 
 rii(:y Jiad hardiy delivered their rnessa^v: \vhi" !i ill-- \PV- 
 rific war-\vhoop v. as jieart! tejri.se Irorn iliderent (jiiarlers 
 of the woods at once; and (, haiies had iiardh. time ;o ioiTn 
 his men into a posture of defence, ere a continued peal ot 
 rnusketrv beiran to rattle all around, and a sho\ver of bnHet.-
 
 i it I V I |,IM-.K> I - -" i 
 
 . : invisible, rushed iirnu/i! the interstices 
 
 
 uttoiiipliii j to thm\v up. 
 
 ti, ann 
 
 : siti was ex- 
 
 
 
 icuiy, . on to hi iie , e tii:;i it was 
 
 i (iid they kunv. 
 
 : ::-:. ! ()] C\ Kl"\ 
 
 .pon 
 (I ram- 
 
 
 ". and 
 
 them.- . iVl , 
 
 : in 1 ,!.-!! 
 HS })U . 
 
 \\ : liter! 
 
 r. it 
 to cut :: passMijc i i 
 
 
 
 
 I is 
 
 rlK fl loild : 
 
 lldfU l] 
 
 I lion h\" i j ; inn n v> >; 
 
 . 
 
 : ., i - , 
 
 \ i ! 1 1 > 
 
 !if liijlitiii j. :(( io ina 
 
 
 1 
 
 I lUCUtS 111 I) I \ Clil l l 
 
 -"I ;o 
 
 :JU] , i 
 
 H( hufi h ni - - h;_ ieet with mor 
 
 I wounds, wii P i - cd )!! oi more han ordinnvv 
 
 ;ren rr th, > atcline> .-, val .mr. :uu! lif-vrni >-s, approaching 
 
 ;r ]Th the utmost tur\- m In c"i:nf c n^nf e. U h n n w^hin .
 
 few \ards ni harles In- stopped, and railed in a loud am; 
 commanding voice in iho -r v, ho \vere hirhiin;: v/nh bin 
 
 ceased, nnd withdrew to ; 
 
 < 11: .if s stood linn and roller tod, wailing the atl 
 formidable s;i\ai ". for h> laMcr had paused in hi 
 as if to scrutinize the appearance of his anta 
 niei i:; mode ( ! attack upon one so wnahv of hi, 
 
 valor so apparent! -. \v< 11 nJrulated to call fnh i s who .- 
 . a:id prove its in , iueihilit v. < a his part, 
 
 perc ived thai ih-.- struo-ufle \v?is likd\ !-> he a hard one, and 
 he lilt a senae of self-consratulation ilia it \v;is s bi 
 if (] conqui :(!. IK.- should rid the \vo, !d of one wlio. if lu 
 li\ ed. was likeK to he -,\ scourge fo his countrymen, and if 
 lie hiniselt diet!, lie should die hy the hands of a hero. 
 
 The* thoughts had ihe duration onlv of a inoiiietit. foi 
 the savage was soon at the : : : ;-riv. Having observed tin- 
 kind of weapon possessed !>v Charles, as if disdainine to 
 
 ponent whom he wished to li^ht only o t< nns li< 
 
 threw the battle-axe, with wlii -h he had often turned the 
 tide of victors against his enemies, a\vav, and oceupii 
 a inoinent in snatching, from the ds in;; <j : :!sp o! (. aptain 
 Rulo;cl\- wlio had fallen near him. hi.- .- v. .-.I. which war 
 nearh of the same sjy.e mid formation \\ : !i thai of his an 
 tagonist. 
 
 At this iiiMa.nl. Charles pmd a tacit, but iiejli complnm n 1 
 to the ma^naniniits of his opponent. b\ iflinquishii 
 station at the tree, and coming forward to meet him in ilu 
 open spare: for he instinr n ely felt that the follow rs of a. 
 lirave man, althoui;h thev should lie savatres. \vould not dare 
 io disgrace, both him niid themselves, bv using 1 unfaii 
 means, in the moment of combat, to secure bun die vic 
 tory. 
 
 The combatants no\\ met, and licj-ce mid terrible was the 
 encounter. l- or, ahhoimli ;he\ resjiected each other s 
 bravery, each was determined to destrov or die. The In 
 dian managed his unusual weapon with wonderful adure>- , 
 and ii required all ( harles s skill, (and he wa< an eihicatei; 
 swordsman," io ward o!] the lierv , the rapid-- almost iu\i,i 
 bly rapid, mid n^ailv overwhelming thrust?, strok*-?. and
 
 tin; WILDERNESS. 
 
 movements of his antagonist. And when at the beginning 
 of the contest lie tried on his part to strike-, or thrust, he was 
 always baffled l>y so mo unexpected, am! unaccountable turn 
 of iiis opponent s weapon or bodily position. Thr savage, 
 however, could make no impression upon him. He was 
 too well acquainted with every mameuvre of parrying for 
 that. Botn wciv beirinmni; to be wearied, and provoked at 
 suc.h an unavailing contest, when f harles refiec .eu that even 
 if he should in th . : end conquer, there v, as no possibility of 
 escaping the terrible tortures destined to one captured 
 by such iocs, hundreds of whom stood around, ready to 
 seize and carrv him bound lo torment and. death, the mo- 
 jn.en: his victory should be declared. This idea rendered 
 him desperate : and, almost careless uf con:[ues(. lie made 
 a spring lik - lightning for suddenness, upon the Indian s 
 swoi de ol wliic ii he caiifflil lirmly, but most unex- 
 
 his I -t i ii;ind. (for the Indian, who had hitherto 
 beheld him lio-h; rather cautious! -, bad not calculated on a 
 rrio\omon! of so much rashness.) and. thrusting it aside with 
 uncontrollable Ion ; . be dashed his o\vn into his opponent s 
 
 Ttic iiidian tell, and expired without a "roan, a fare; which, 
 at that instant, tbe conqueror ardentlv wished had been his 
 own ; lor as many sa\aofo hands as could lay hold of him, 
 :iad I .MU si !/,((! lnin, and he was carried away tionnd. aloni; 
 with (it veil of his company, who were also prisoners, (ihe 
 remainder having been killed on the ti: id.) to ih> Chippe- 
 way ( n . . impnn ii , to undergo the investigation and judg 
 ment of liii- \ ic.oi ions chiefs. 
 
 All tiie wa.y TO the encampment, which was on the north 
 sid ^ of the Ohio, about two miles from the field of battle, the 
 Indians continued shouting and daueinir, and singing sonsf.s 
 of triumph, in a manner so wild and frantic, tlvir to their 
 unfortunate prisoners their conduct appeared tainted with 
 actual madness. It was wearing near the evenini: when 
 they arrived at the camp, which was composed of a number 
 of rud." and hastily erected tents and wigwams, in one of 
 which the chiefs assembled, and having approved of an ap 
 propriate Song of Vietorv. ordered two of their best singers 
 > o chant it in the hearing ol all the warriors, nnnv of whom 
 fi
 
 joined in the chorus. As one of the prisoners happem u l< 
 preserve a copy ol tins song, u has ronie into our possession, 
 and we heir Icavr- i<> ofFei ihe folio wine ion of u .- 
 
 our readers. 
 
 Aow UK. storm . . > ei , 
 
 V ictorv itic brave has cro-.vn d - 
 Heroes we eyiih oner.- nmr; , 
 
 O er the lii .ni contested .I-P 
 
 Ka:s mph r ; ::h 
 
 Let i j . 
 
 And to our uuhor s spirits 
 fiov- tlicir soiu-i iuive ibi^jlil. so wcji 
 llri .v ti;c\ cruslli 
 
 How tiicy liiici the white man low : 
 And how tlicir hn .ini.lv siii.iis to tamo. 
 They bound tinTii o - the i;- M <>( tli m- ! 
 \o\. 
 
 Krrini clinics tovvr.rii iir- risinjr day, 
 
 The iiii.riul(;rs iiitin-r !.e.iit ihcir wn.\ ; 
 
 Thcv loved th. couhir \vc posses^.-d ; 
 
 Our iiiitisf: ro::i in o! ;l:o west : 
 
 Thcv r;i!iic . ith in irdt-roiis fire and hrajiH. 
 
 To drive n:; iroui our /! Her -, , 
 
 But \vnrriors ! wi : icm know, 
 
 Tlic > 
 
 Noi 
 
 J ho pi"i:si.j I. "ijic bi a\ c 
 Our I never ccriic lo teil ; 
 
 Our son? sbail henr their deeds of fhvnr. 
 And v.aririly rlow to do the sains; 
 Our (i. vveavfi, 
 
 Such as U ue heroes si:o:: ,u n cei\ e 
 To crown tho ir.einr,vv nt th.- clcr.ri, 
 AVhn gloriour-ly i;; b:;!ti :i!l. 
 
 Nov.- tr.o storia of buttle"* o er, ^n. 
 
 After tliis son^, tlie >\boi: ravage parly, v. hirh consi.sti 
 of nearly tliree lumdred, -.jK/nt {lie rcmaincli-r of tlui evenii 
 in feasting, dancing, ami every species of exhibition th.;- 
 could contrive to displn\" their frdiirrs of triuinpli and f-xn
 
 The prison" rs were exposed tu view dimiiii the 
 
 of these revels, in order to stimulate the joy of the 
 
 i ".-pliers, hv keeping in their minis n prrp - rual reeolleetion 
 
 ieir victory, a? well as to morlifv their enemies, by re- 
 
 .ip(]iiH! them ( , their v; c nuiit.ion. and. tlif doifra- 
 
 . .>d :m<i deplorable state t \^ liich the - en^eauce :uul valor 
 
 conquerors ind reduced thorn. A h-nirth. tin; liour 
 
 t reposn nrrivcd. isiid the, wrefi hed prisoners, relieved from 
 
 ;;:iiii! ul sitiiation v, here the\ h;id performed the part oi 
 
 j iMit- specf icle?, were huddled tonrether in a \\-itf\vani, and 
 
 ! ft liter:- to endure the ir.tnleradh-, H<_ r onv of tlieir own re- 
 
 1 TMinns until the inomin<_ r . They were all securely tied 
 
 t . hoth tiici; arm- ant! le(_r>. and a sutKirient L r uard of In- 
 
 itioned mund the wigwam, to render their escape 
 
 impossible. 
 
 t 1! VI TKR VI. 
 
 M urk voritlf.-r tlio i nptivc Ir-- aft irr, i>. <icci-.-> 
 
 His mfM-cilrss i nos to tlit> liicrcrot h:ive hound liinr. 
 so ii-!y they ETIV< ; the ; ui>r whiic mail unoi oio< .i, 
 
 U Ilili , : ," mnrl iiiiu. 
 
 Hut \\ - V,"li:it f- ti i is ii>- ? 
 
 \V!io linrsrs t niin tin- iniiiintair.-top do .v;i ta his su:ci / 
 ! ,s the n; )ck(-r of fortune, the ie:irlcss and frt-M . 
 
 . i en n see. 
 
 n Scsi \i>s 
 
 The reflections of (/harle>; AdiTlv duriii . 1 this nielnn- 
 ( >! v ni _ hl, vperieneed lnM <Mie >|n>rt Imur s intermission 
 I); mi i [ilil-- b( fore da\-lireak, 
 
 .\ ien Ins imn ted him with ideas 
 
 in oniparal;l\ more [taiiifiil. and more horrible, than his 
 waking thoughts. A coni uscd, unconnected, Jind unintelli- 
 i/i!i)e. Inn tPrrifving- rrowd c<\ ideas, unonaiitirii and nnmitj-
 
 gated by nny suggestions of hope, or effort oi fortitude, gave 
 to his feelings during this short sleep more the character of 
 agonized macness than of uneasy dreaming, and when he 
 awoke, he fell in his real affliction a considerable relief from 
 the intolerable pangs inflicted by the creations otMii.s imagi- 
 nation. 
 
 He was not, indeed, without hopes tliat some of his com 
 panions might be saved from the Indian cruelties that threat 
 ened them, by the ell orts of two or three French officers, 
 whom he had seen among the victors during their revels tRe 
 preceding evening. One of them had also humanely ad 
 dressed 10 him a few words of condolence, but without 
 conveying any precise hope of deliverance, 
 
 At length the sun aro-e and the victorious Indians start 
 ing from repose, the noi.-e and bustle of life again animated 
 the camp, and broke in upon that monotonous and tedious 
 dulness which had been so oppressive to Charl-j- during the 
 night. Tv. o Indians soon entered his wigwam, and ascer 
 taining thai none of the prisoners had escaped, distributed 
 refreshments among them, of which the harassed and de 
 sponding feelings of the majority prevented them from par 
 taking. 
 
 Shortly after this, a council of the chiefs met to deliberate 
 concerning the prisoners, who were ordered to be present, 
 that they might receive their doom. This consultation took 
 place in the open air, in a small glade that skirted the banks 
 of a rivulet, or run, as such streams in America are usually 
 called, and beside which the encampment was situated. 
 Here the prisoners, tied in pairs to each other, were seated 
 on the ground, near the centre of a circle formed by all thc- 
 warriors, armed with guns in their hands, and axes and. 
 tomahawks in their belts. Beneath a large ehesnut-tree, 
 near the centre of the circle, sat seven chiefs and three 
 Frenchmen, upon logs apparently placed there for their ac 
 commodation. To these seven chiefs had been entrusted 
 the determination of the fate of the prisoners. 
 
 When they commenced their deliberations, they spoke 
 separately, each, when he had any thing -o say. standing 
 up, and generally, but not always, addressing himself to an 
 elderly warrior, who appeared to be their principal sachem.
 
 nu: WH.UEKNKSS, 57 
 
 ii i> niii, but \\ hn had nothii dress to disnniniish 
 
 hiiii from the rest. A^ ^aid. was communica 
 
 ted to ;h>- - . b\ which means 
 
 ions semir-ient?:, 
 
 ion. 
 
 !": i of the pris- 
 
 : !,! io o ivr the others to 
 : mad" bv lot. 
 
 Ti > : .: : ! : mid one ol thorn 
 
 Ht:i;i-. iiiLr i;: folloving 1 purpose: 
 
 rted v, ;!rrioi .s, 
 
 ,tha! \ . ni v, ouli \", here fire tlio>;f \v;ir- 
 
 riors no Key not h:u)ir. . 
 
 havii b"\\ : cly . 1C they 
 
 !( ; ! . al they rf! jui:v 
 
 : iijo iv ,<o . "Will 
 
 svisli 
 
 will nevei lake any 
 
 it \ d ir people |)ri. t; o ; ! ;!. art- a warlike! nation. 
 
 !la\: yoi n ofaiuino- victories ? "NVeri; 
 
 lu-y i!" 1 Philip ? v;ars . j hinlc \ ou, 
 
 lieu. any i v \ o\i prisoner And 
 
 Miiiik ". t lcif brethi 1 !".!. 
 
 ! : . i [ear i:: \ answer 
 
 ) your ( i!! - <!(;;: r cii f riiMids \\ c know to he hap- 
 
 iy, nor do v. c think that i; will makr them more so to hum 
 
 prisoners on t! mill. !5ut ii will show them 
 
 nir ali ection. and thf^v v> ill s;:\ to r-.irh olhn , --Our hro- 
 
 icrs !m< U-: so, ih: 1 .! i v i eiulnr; 1 t ie people hy 
 
 horn we : : }}. See !i in iUein tVom the 
 
 ! : ! Ii lish do not hum us v/hen they 
 
 lake 11- :, c the\ love us, bill he- 
 
 luse iiic\ i rii- i-ii -- ; and ihe r. iison whv we 
 
 ,irn them is no! her ii-e we hale tliem, hut hceause we 
 
 ; -vere the was of our la: hers, and walk in them.
 
 58 THK WII.DKRVr:SS. 
 
 " Brother ! Let the llnylish adopt our eii>tonis if ih -y 
 please, it will not dissatisfy or alarm us. Our people 
 have beep, often burned bv our enemies. It was ihe>r fn e. 
 and we submitted. 
 
 on;, brother, i wish io please yon, for your people are 
 our allies and friends. I will propose, therefore, that since 
 for your share yon are 10 ba\e six*prisoners, of the six thai 
 shall remain to us. we .-hall save one half by adopting them 
 for our sons. With the other half, we shall support the 
 customs of our fathers, and sacrifice them to ihe memorv of 
 our slain warriors. 
 
 Brother ! Will 1 his satisfy you . " 
 
 The French still remained unsatisfied ; but they despaired 
 of making am iiener terms with their >av;;o< j allies, and 
 were about to trive up ; ;ie comes;, when one of them, who 
 had, by examining the prisoners, found that there were four 
 so badly wounded that they were not likelv io survive many 
 hours, conversed a lew mimic s \\iih his c< m lanions, and 
 then addressed the chief of the council ;-s ibiiows ; - Bro 
 ther! Our nation and yours have been h/ii? friends. Wo 
 have been often useful to each other. V; e v, ish ;iet now to 
 disturb our harmony. _\o seeds of strife shall be sown bv 
 us. If you u ranl us one .iiinir, vve will, therefore, oppose 
 you no further. \\ e wish you to choose tw>f those you 
 will adopt as sons, and then permit us when the sun goes 
 down this c\eniiiff to select, without lot, me number that 
 falls to our share 1 . The others will be those, you will offer 
 according to your customs." 
 
 To this proposal the council appeared willing to accede. 
 There was one chiei alone, who had not yet expressed his 
 assent. This man, indeed, had durinir the whole proceed 
 ings hitherto said nothing ; but he had manifested inv-ai 
 earnestness and attention to all that passed. ills counte 
 nance was jjrase an;! mournful, ami he was somewhat 
 elderly, although stiil healthy. stroiM/ and ;ip;i\e in his ap 
 pearance, lie now ro.-,e in considerable agitation, and ad 
 dressed them as follows : 
 
 " Warriors! Behold me ! I here stand alone, like an old 
 oak that has its branches cut from around it. 
 
 * Brothers ! I know von jjrieve 4 or me. It was but ves-
 
 THK WILDERNESS. -" 9 
 
 terday that I was sheltered by a sapling that orew from my 
 ou n roots, stronger and more comely than myself. That 
 noh e sapling, the pride ui the whole iovest of uur tribe, has 
 been hewn down by a white man, and 1 sot; thai white 
 man mine eye pierces ins soul," b^re he iixed such an 
 intense and iierce look upon Charles as lie could scarcely 
 endure "he is now before me ! 
 
 Brothers ! i disagree to the proposal made by our 
 French brother, unless you will except from the number to 
 be saved, the slayer of mv son. V<: knew Carrawissa. 
 Were not. ye proud of him? Was. he not an example to 
 your warriors ? \\ as he not wise and valiant ? \ our ora 
 cle in peace, and your thunder-bolt in war ? It is true he 
 was but < ouiiii") "id had ncl the gray hairs of a sage. But 
 ho;i be not the wisdom of on; ? 
 
 \ arrior.s ! What he would have been had lie lived till 
 ow Isad been wrinkled like mine, YOU may conjecture 
 by what h" was ere his beard required puliin-j. 
 
 Brothers ! Attend to me ! [ o YOU not imeve for him ? 
 
 his destroynr . Jiut. lie:\r me ! if 
 cannot. 
 
 V> arriors, and brothers ! I request that you will deliver 
 him who bereaved vou of a hero, and me of a son, into my 
 hands, and that he may be made an offerinsr to the memory 
 of that hero, that be may iHm the vengeance of the father 
 who lost that son. The man that slew Carrawissa must be 
 destroyed bv me, or else my sorrows will never cease. I 
 will not vieid to the proposal of our French brother, because 
 itriiii;-lit depri\e me of m\ victim. 
 
 Brothers and warriors! you ha\e heard me." 
 
 The \\hole paitv oi the Indians seemed much aiFected 
 with this address, and remained imhdiiiiiLr a deep melan 
 choly silence for some minutes after the speaker sat down. 
 \t leiio-;ii one oi die counsellors arose, and in a solemn tone 
 addressed me assembi\ . 
 
 I have heard ( arrawoona, and I am affected. \Vbathe 
 ;aid is true. .His MIII \\as a hero, areater than his ft Hows, 
 .us the noble ea;de is i_n ( aler anil more i;cnerous tlian the
 
 60 , HK \vri.m-i;N :ss. 
 
 buzzard or the li:i\vk. Y, e v : of him. for he was 
 
 a Chippeway, and n , his equal. It 
 
 ;vas \ir,\ yesterday v ?aicl, Xow we nil] train the 
 victor 
 
 what IP rip- IT;. Kr- 
 
 has as - ed, bv 
 
 : who -o 
 
 accepts i ( an \ve rofusi 
 
 o jus! ,i (Vmand . Can we <ay, il ( arrawoona, \vr 
 i or vour son s den ill, o v ill i," 1 
 
 mirrd hiiii. \\ e lovrd him, but 
 
 *v( will 
 -liiuii; vanishes 
 
 , so , C i i i p p o w P. . 
 of that her ). I 
 have tremb 
 voui;, - had H::M;\ 
 
 spare iiiin . ( )> ivill noi ask M 
 
 .1 mal i"". iiu! shoiii.i the; msent, 
 
 d. ; ;; niuc li that 
 
 wo i! . who kill - d 
 
 !iini . 
 
 [Jrothcrp. ai] \ To ] \viil 
 
 pro]! . . . M!" our hrro 
 
 be theirs. Lei them - v/is!i it. bin him I 
 
 will noi consent to pavi . Carra- 
 
 woon; . to : 
 
 "Brothers, you have hoard mv opinion." 
 
 This opinion, so inimical to our hero, was embraced by 
 the whole of ih< ^ral unavailing 
 
 attempts on the part of the Frei!-h !%) 
 they i 
 
 Char.es \vas feel to t! and his exo- 
 
 f.ution \vas . (lie d: ; -( c;io5i of Car- 
 
 niwoon:;, "beibi i ih.e .-." as tin r-lii; f siichem 
 
 expressed ii, v. iien pronotincinf; 1 h deoisii M. o! tlii" 1 .. o-.p.ri!.. 
 should conceal himself behind the trees that oversliadowed 
 fhe bills of the \Vest." The chief sachem had ii.nbhi.-c! the
 
 TilK WILDERNESS. t> 1 
 
 awful annunciation, and all the prisoners, except the de 
 voted Charles, had been "riven over to the French, when 
 seme straggling Indians, a* a distance, were heard to give a 
 peculiar shout, denoting both joy and admiration, by which 
 was indicated the approach of some distinguished and res- 
 peeled visitor. 
 
 The sounds of "Tonnaleuka ! Tonnaleuka!" were soon 
 heard from numbers oi the assemblv ; and Charles per 
 ceived a man rapidly descending amidst the woods from an 
 abrupt rising ground, which bounded to the northward the 
 low glade where the council was held. lie stopped a few 
 yards from the warriors, when the counsellors ail rising up, 
 saluted him with a sound, denoting "welcome, tliou messen 
 ger of God!" and the chief sachem united him to come 
 forvs an. 1 . 
 
 lie \\ as venerable, grave, and rnejestic in his appearance, 
 and in his manner there was something wonderfully awful. 
 His head was bear, for, when lie slopped, he had taken off 
 a can of buffalo skin, which IK; held in his left hand, and 
 had lifted his countenance 1o\\ards heaven, in the attitude 
 of devotion. That countenance displayed an uncommon 
 decree of fervor, dignity, and intelligence. His nose was 
 oi the aquiline form, and his cheek-hones siightlv promi 
 nent, but well turned, and proportioned so as to give an 
 oval, rather than a broad outline of countenance. His fore 
 head was high and round, imperceptibly rising backwards 
 into a broad, smooth, and shining crown, altogether bald, 
 but from the sides of which, and from behind, abundance of 
 long black hair, mixed with gray, streamed down upon his 
 shoulders, and was arranged so as to cover part of his 
 checks, and hang on each side upon his breast for several 
 inches beneath his chin. From his dark piercing eyes, 
 (here issued an expression of authority almost overpower 
 ing to the beholder, but which excited a feeling of rcveren- 
 >a.l awe r.ith.t r than personal peril. 
 
 His dress was simple, consisting () f a long flannel gar 
 ment, like a shirt, wiih short s!ee\es. the skirls of which 
 reached down to the eahes of his legs. Abo\e this, a wide 
 mantle of bison-skin, thrown round his shoulders, ilowed 
 looselv over his arms and down his back, in the manner of
 
 : 1 1 K w i ) . 1 1 : :KN i 
 
 a yhort cloak. His moccasins and leui/ins of half-tanned 
 leer-skin. wen: ni tho usual construction, and completed 
 every thins observable in h H d -e^. except a leathern holt 
 
 Mil I ll, 
 
 or con , . - 
 
 roceii < 
 
 rom. the Gri him to 
 
 be. ! ;i hi-- ri /i:! han v nidi 
 
 r;n JVou) birds of dii- 
 colors, whicb is looked i 
 
 and irnve it the name ol in 1 "proph< t s wai 
 
 \A ben lie approac! : . iu 1 lichL stretched out, 
 
 this \v:u\d to ".;ird u> ed hini as 
 
 !ollo\>;i-- : 
 
 ?uv !irr>tlif-r I am : . i he d reiil 
 
 \vli!>in yon \no\vs 
 
 ; i\i i hearken to rue, ; 
 for m y v/or 
 
 :: (rood 
 
 piri!, to me ) . i \vill, 
 
 e.ly. N Great 
 
 i von 
 
 execute it, von v. iii ojYend l:!in .-L!;! more, M;moio loves 
 YOU. He luis <riven you ;i gr^at victory. Uc ii?s cast do\vn 
 your enemies i>efore you: ;nid he now warns von, lest you 
 sin to:> much a-/ai;i?f l\\ir\. and provoke him to consume 
 you IT: on. 1 than . i warning, 
 
 -in not ! 
 
 i i.t my voice! Manoto wishes you to spare 
 this young \varric.r. You know he madn the white people 
 as well i:;:. the red, and can govern both in any manner he 
 pleasr : i-i orni. 
 
 which - re, calls upon 
 
 you to - r i v ~ possession. 
 
 11 I>r-. ITS! yon luiv: henrd. Will VIM; 
 
 obey th ri voi(".? 01 ti;0 Go 1 )ri Sniril, at d ]>rese"ve his ove. or 
 will you disobev hi;n, and provoke his vengeance < 
 
 "Brother! say, wiiat is your choice?" 
 
 The chief sachem ;iros^, and replied:
 
 I ill. U il.DKKNi.-.^. 0-- 
 
 prophet ! I wiii give ;uv own opinion. The Great 
 Snhit should be obeyed. \\ e are lie \vorkmanshif) oi his 
 
 : our sub i . we 
 
 \vii . i or him. i 
 
 : i 11110, 
 
 nor water 10 drink, nor weapons io dcsiroy our enemies. 
 
 " Prophet ! you say iic has u.se lor this prisoner, whom 
 we \v( re ^oinjf to burn, Why were we <, r oing to burn 
 him, .ml to please tl of Carra\vissa, which yesterday 
 
 left its body But it is better that we; should please the 
 (I:- :at Spirit who ha? existed forever, and can easily recom 
 pense ( arr:i\vi-sa, if wo do him r.n injury. 
 
 4 Brothers and warriors! i think none of you will refuse 
 to ijivc our prisoner to the prop iet, Tonnaleuka, ;is ihe Great 
 S|)irit e()i]Hn;.: [f any one refuses, we will hear him. 
 
 If none spi aks, i sliall order the prisoner to lie loosened, and 
 given to the prophet." 
 
 lie heie paused fu, i b ;l1 all continuing 
 
 siient, he was , ng ;;p of the pri.-;-- 
 
 OIK r, \\ hen Carr.iw tion. 
 
 " VVh.at ! Iir tiie!> !" said he, "have >>:\ so soon forgot 
 inv son . Will no one speak in his behalf? lias he no 
 liiend here, who \viii ;;sk iusiiee for him? 1 cannot believe 
 tin,- siory (,[ Tom; have sometimes s]>o- 
 
 kt n ! a se!\-, or th(!\" n .; dreiMns for tin-. 
 
 orders of 
 
 inc. The G rit Io veil Carra \vissa, and 
 
 nut r him a liero. Think ye tiirn, that he couhl tlius c-oni- 
 iriaiid u.-. to defraud Ins memory of the aceustomed sacrifice. 
 I, lor one, cannot Jhiuk ii I. lor on , will not consent to 
 spare; ihe pri.MHiel . fi" (^arrawissa i,;:. ; n friend in this 
 rouiicil, let him n.->\v speak." 
 
 . > In :i h 1 sat do\\ n, ihe same chief that had so warmly 
 
 , iiause ni the former part of the deliberations 
 
 \\n\\ i, 
 
 " I rother ! f ; ,.i the Iriend < n noiv ; but 
 
 I am a U orshippcr . , : (ireal. !>j>!ril, and v.i-di more to 
 obey Him, tliau m p , i ncnd. I sjxike lor yoiir son 
 
 to-day: \ ou heard me. i sjukc ;-:iie!Toi\ but 1 did not 
 lien know the will of JManem. lie wishes lor tin: victim
 
 64 rjIE W 
 
 \v. intended for your son. That victim, your son, and all 
 of UP, are his already, lie. onlv asks for hi* own. \V<: 
 cannot refuse him and your ?on cannot be offended. Car- 
 raw issa is loo jusi. to u?k from us what is. not out:- lo give, 
 and too geucruiis, to be angry for our not doing \vhat we 
 cannot. lie saw, from o;ir decision to-day, that our heart? 
 were with him, that our desires were to please him, and 
 that it delighted us to do him honor. He \viil not. there 
 fore, blame us for surrendering to the prophet of Maneto 
 what we had devoted to him, but what Maneto claims a^ 
 his own. Nay, hearken to me; he loved Maneto so well, 
 that he will rejoice ia yielding 1 his offering to him; and 
 Maneto will reward him, for he returns all services ten-fold. 
 
 "Brothers and warriors ! we must give up the prisoner." 
 
 Carrawocna again rose, and in a hasty and impassioned 
 manner exclaimed 
 
 "Brothers! hear me again! I am but one among hun 
 dreds, and my voice is nothing. But, were I only one 
 among thousands, I would let you hear if. I say, the man 
 who slew my son, shall die! I will hunt him over the 
 earth, till he be sacrificed. My heart must have revenge ! 
 Ma;u>to could never forbid it. I do not believe what tin 
 prophet says. He says that Maneto wants this white man. 
 What can he want with him I Are there not plenty of In 
 dians to perform his errands, and to worship him? . And 
 are they not more faithful to him, and more beloved by him. 
 than the superstitious white men, who have so many dif 
 ferent creeds? If it be true, that Maneto wants some one, 
 would he not prefer an Indian 1 If the service he wishes to 
 be done requires honestv, are not Indians more honest than 
 the whites? What Indian defrauds his neighbor? If it 
 requires bravery, are we not brave? Think of our last 
 battle. If it require,-, wisdom, think of our sages, and our 
 old men, endowed with prudence. 
 
 " Hear me brothers! I will not believe that for any pur 
 pose the Great Spirit would prefer a white man to an Indian. 
 Has Tonnaleuka said what Maneto wants with the prisoner ? 
 If Maneto wanted him, he would have told for what purpose. 
 But he has not, or we would have heard it. if Tonnaleuka 
 be his prophet.
 
 i III. WiLUKK.NKSs. ( .) 
 
 "Brothers! you perceive these is something wroni, in 
 ihis matter. Me not, like children, ready to believe eveiy 
 -lory: nor upon such a slight pretence, deprive my son of 
 his ri<:hL. Act wiselv. (. omplv with the diatoms of your 
 fathers, or retrain irom lliem only when vou have some 
 sufficient reason. 
 
 Warriors ! 1 only ask justice for my son, and the (Jreat 
 Spirit never yet opposed justice. 
 
 He sat do\vn, and Tonnaleuku airain advanced. Me 
 pointed his sacred wand, tin: very motion of which had 
 power to strike awe into the minds of the savages, three 
 tiines towards heaven, and three times towards each mem 
 ber of the council, lie then raised it. and stretching his 
 arms upwards with his eyes directed to heaven, exclaimed : 
 
 "Ob. (ireat Spirit! what is man, that he should question 
 thy will ! Didst thou not make him ! Dost thou not sus 
 tain him ! Is not the irromul ho treads on, thine. ! Is not 
 the litrht he sees, thine ! Is not every step he takes, and 
 every breath he breathes, dependant on thy will ! And he 
 presumes to dispute thy ri;lit to thy creatures. lie dares 
 to ask for what jmrpo.se thou layest claim to thine own ! 
 (ilory lie to thee, that, ihou dost not consume him in the 
 instant of his presumption ! Thou art merciful infinitely 
 more merciful than he is. Thou acquittest when he would 
 condemn ; thou iorifivest when lie would revenue ; thou 
 sparest when lie would destiny. Happy is. it for him, that 
 thou art not like him ! 
 
 "Oh Maneto, hear me! \\ilt thou now indulge the vain 
 questions of him who disputeth thy will . Oh, wilt thou 
 an. Wer his sinful inquiries " 
 
 lie here paused tor about a minute, during which he 
 seemed to mutter somet!iin</ in a .-npernalural lan^ua^e, and 
 displayed so much the impressive, sublime, ami entranced 
 appearance o| one holding communication with superior 
 beings, ihat all present o a/ed silently upon him with sjiell- 
 1 101 1 ml attention and astonishment. 
 
 At len^ih he wa> heard to say : " Thanks ! thanks ! It is 
 hen turmiiLi abrupdy to Carrawoona, he 
 hi:- \\and, and \\ i;!i an ener^A and a 
 even lhal hardy sa\ a^: tremble, he ex-
 
 " Son of pre- who woe 1 
 
 wishes if God i am 
 
 permit" d io !:-ii thi 
 
 hadst the hardihood to ask. Listi k IK 
 
 more. That man i:\ 01 ds, w hose He; h thi u would; 
 in the lire kindh d by tli i n the favoi 
 
 under tht 1 protection of the Great Spirit : and, listen farther. 
 i mil commanded i>v 
 
 open to him the sacred fount of in piration, to lay 
 him the oracles of the Groat Father contah is holy 
 
 book, which p; which 
 
 profane eyi . ok and which none bin the 
 
 favored of Heaven can understand. Phi; : <!estinv 
 allotted to thi* youth !<>! : ; it ii he d 
 
 ; - Brotlier," s-ud h<\ tur heni, "I claim 
 
 thut prisoner in the iv-ime c.f the; ({real Spirit. 1 claiii- 
 him as the successor to my gifts. Order him to be un 
 bound !" 
 
 The chief ::; ch em in.- : ;an!ly complied. Clir.rles \v;\s un- 
 1/ound aiid Tor.mi euk:; advancing towards him. ;-;;!(!: 
 
 " Foilosv me, my son ! Y\ e i;o to \vor-hip our Gre;it 
 Father !" 
 
 Charles followed bin conductor, \vho, v;ilii his eyes stea 
 dily fixed upon heaven, in ;u! altitude of deep and solemn 
 devotion, \valke-i slowly I rom amidsi the assembly towards 
 the cast, leaving every iiuiividual who !)eh(-!d him, not ex 
 cepting (. arrawce-na himself, av.e-- ,! immova 
 bly to his place, as if !;\ ts of ( nch; 
 
 It was several mi e any of the lii lians, recov 
 
 ered from the spell that was over them, sufficiently to speak. 
 Carrawoona, whose thirst for rev^: [ueror 
 
 of his son was still the h-adin^ passion of his soul, was she 
 fu st to vecovc r from llr.it temporary i ntrancemenl v iiich had 
 produced a suspension of all ; i sistildy thiown 
 
 over the \vhoh. assc mblv !;v ihe woiider-workinL r powei 1 "i 
 Tonnaleuka s energy of m.iimer, and preternatural and awful 
 appearance. Y\ ith tht; relurn o! !;!S faculties, this thirst lor 
 revenge, heightened now !>v the irriiiition oi opposition aiui 
 the vcx:ition of dipanjioinln^ent, returned with till the fe/ree 
 jiml rancotiv with wliicii su;-h a feeli iy can lire a savage
 
 . 
 
 rriors ! h [ am b [ am del rauded 
 
 1 iii;; used ill: Did mv son deserve Mich treatment . 
 \Vould (, arrawissa have acted so to the meir.orv of an\ 
 
 rriors ! What have you done Think of ii. N - on 
 
 -1 the destroyer ol a y and hero, to 
 
 ,! ; from his bonds, and to e it lire through 
 
 which his soul should have been sent. i;s a grief-offering to 
 
 C-omlort tiie soul of your hero. 
 
 C hippeways ! ll is useless now to ar>uo, It is useless, 
 to raue. It is nsele.-s to complain. I will act. Is there 
 man here who will act wii!) me . i .viil have \\\\- yen- 
 Has Carrawissa here any friend who will assist 
 me. ion condemned the while man. I v your sentence 
 he was mine. -i on nave him io be sacrificed to mv wrath, 
 i i>ur o\vn act made iii.n i LOU could not. take; him 
 
 from me. i will yet have him, and execute your sentence. 
 \\ arriors ! I a<_>;ani as!-;, i-, there one who will assist, 
 me . " 
 
 !!e sat down, and no one offering to reply, the chief sa 
 chem addressed him. 
 
 (>ro ksi to YOU. 1 will. Hear Tlie pa 
 
 tiently, and let the ma- our passion yield to reason. 
 
 N\ e all grieve for you. Look round is thqre a counttmance 
 but has 2 net u poll it ! 
 
 " Brother! Do not ii^iit a jairt*! the (Jreat Spirit. Do not 
 
 resist the will of Maneto ! lie, who is the author of all 
 
 hould he permiiied to re-i iilale all tilings as he 
 
 pleases. ( was he, and n il we, who deprived yon ol yen- 
 
 ice. ||i> had n n . ,; to do so. Tile ]);i- one; was his 
 
 pi"i e! !y, lielore he belonged to either us or you. L am 
 
 you oppose him. It is awful, brother! For our parts 
 
 we would oiler our.- elves to the sacrifice first. 
 
 "Brother ! w against Mane to, 
 
 we must in \\ ,. | ,. ;11 - 
 
 it \\ ill ie-jd \~oii . lor in c oMiend- 
 
 m^ wrdi llie (Irea! Sp : i overcome. P ersist 
 
 iio , or \~oui I ale \v il I be \\\ i ill
 
 Carrawoona staried to his fee!, and in a tone of rajro. bor- 
 derinir upon absolute iVcii/y, exclaimed : 
 
 " Chippeways . Have J no friend, then ! Am I alone in 
 my wish for justice ! !)o you want to frighten me from my 
 purpose ! You should have known loivj since, that Carra- 
 M oona cannot be frightened. My revenue you rail mad 
 ness. But I rail it justice. You advice me to desist from 
 soekmv; it. [ id tlie rocks of the mountains skip like the 
 squirrels of the tree. Will they ohpy YOU? No. Bid the 
 ronr of Niagara resemltle the purlin<r of that brook. Will it 
 listen to you . Mo. Neither will I. Hut I will talk no 
 more. 1 will pursue the destroyer oi mv sun. Mv weapon 
 shall find his heart, if it should be th.rou^h the lieart of J on- 
 naleuk;i~ nay. the bosom of Maneto will not protect, him. 
 Mnneto protects no one i lom ius ice. [Jut should his li^ht- 
 nin j shrive! me on tin 1 instant, if I only obtain vengeance on 
 mv enemy, 1 shall be satisfied." 
 
 lie heio <j:\\-c a sudden ye!!, and made a leap to the east 
 ward, as if he intended immediately to pursue the object of 
 his resentment. The chief sachem ordered him to be slop 
 ped, when a warrior risin;:. called out 
 
 Brother! Let Carrawoona lake his way. We have 
 nothing more to do with the business. \A e have tnvcn up 
 the prisoner as the Great Spirit ordered. Tie has not ordered 
 us to rest>-ain Carrawoona s madness. We should not take 
 the protection of the while man out of the hands of Maneto. 
 Let Carrawoona jjo. We have done our duty." 
 
 The furious and nntractable savajje, was accordingly al 
 lowed to take his course as he pleased, and the assembly 
 broke up.
 
 CHAPTER VI T, 
 
 \ int-rry day, my liovs. \\e il ha\o, 
 
 And form a happy ([uorum ; 
 i onfound .iii 1 dog v. no woul 
 
 While IIP can suair the jorum ; 
 \\ hiio uniLT inspires \\e !l i nsk it mil, 
 
 .! usl a< tin \vlmn ma v please us : 
 And daddv Care \ve ll kick about, 
 
 Till lie no more can tea/e us. 
 
 S A VKI. \ liOl R. 
 
 IT will be readily supposed, that the French officers were? 
 much pleased with this fortunate termination of an affair in 
 which ; hey had so much intere-ted themselves. During the 
 time that their feelings alone influenced their minds, they 
 indeed, heartily rejoiced. But. when ihev reflected 
 on the political consequences th.it might arise from the es 
 cape of any of the Mngli-h prisoners, especially of the leader 
 of the enterprise, which had, as every one of tiie prisoners 
 m>w knew, been defeated by their secret instrumentality, 
 they began to feel u i; asil v, and heanJly to wish Charles 
 \dderly in ]> n in Philadelphia, or any 
 
 ither place whei-e he coidd ini unn the wcrld of what they 
 had dune. They ! ( .i| ;1 sirong repugnance to have ;;;iy 
 mman b. iug .--a Tiiired in the cruel niann T in which t!;e 
 ndians often sacnii -ed their caplives ; but they, at the same 
 hue, dreaded the results which they had a right to suppose 
 mist take place if the government of (Ireat liritain should 
 iear (ii the pan they had taken in the attack upon iiieir sub- 
 ects in the time of peace. Kilher a national war might he 
 1 - p lice, or th ir own government might disavow 
 M ir conduct, and dcii\ er them up to ihe vengeance of the 
 
 I m ! i 1 safety of Charles 
 . : ". ( i i ; 
 
 ouh
 
 Til 10 WILDERNESS. 
 
 safe, arrival a mo nil las friend,- , he would not fail to ti ive to 
 the political world. 
 
 j iie con?in<i ei;c,y, hoy, 
 
 consideration, was more remote and uncertain, th;:ii that 
 produced by the splendid and unexpected triumph of liu- 
 munity they had ju-t witnessed; ar.d we must do them the 
 justice to slate, that they, for some time at least, <iave way 
 to the amiable impulse of feelinjr, rather than to the selfish 
 influence of policy. The more, however, thev considered 
 the matter, the inlluence of the political consideration in 
 creased ; and rather than he brought to an account lot their 
 conduct, by their own jiovernment, or be the occasion of a, 
 European war, of which they could not forsee the conse 
 quence, they became the more heartily inclined to wish that 
 the prisoner, for whom they had felt so much, and pleaded 
 so strenuously, had been, by some means or other, put out 
 of the way, as it was from his information alone, they be 
 lieved they had any thinir to fear. 
 
 It must not be supposed, however, that the steps they had 
 taken to defeat the designs of th.fi British Ohio Company, 
 were altogether unauthorized bv their government. The 
 French ministry had given instructions to their Canadian 
 servants, the spirit of which, at least, sufficiently warranted 
 all they had done. But the amenta in this alh iir knew too 
 well the decree of reliance to place upon such instructions, 
 especially when they are at all vap-ue and indefinite in their 
 particular application, as these happened to be, when it suits 
 the interests of cabinet ministers to disclaim them, to feel 
 altogether easy under the itlea that the British trovernment 
 might hear of their conduct, and make it a national concern. 
 It would, indeed, they were aware, be soon known that the 
 Ohio Company s party had been attacked and defeated bv 
 the Indians ; but, without some specific information. the\ 
 themselves, although they mi /ht be suspected, could not be 
 convicted of participating in the deed. 
 
 Had Charles, like the other prisoners, been in their custo 
 dy, every thing- would then have gone to their satisfaction : 
 since their prisoners they could hold an indefinite time, and 
 liberate only when other national concerns, occurred to ren 
 der what they had done of too little importance to ocrasior. 
 inquiry.
 
 THK Wn.DKRNKSS. 71 
 
 It was partly under the. influence of these considerations, 
 and partly, we would fondly hope, with a view to save 
 Charles s life, that after the braakmii up of the Indian coun 
 cil, one of them oli emi to Cairasvoono. a lars/e reward if he 
 should bring Charles a ii\in^ prisoner to thciu at the, fort of 
 Le lioMif within six inonths from that time. 
 
 To this oiler the chief replied : 
 
 u Brothel ! Vv hat do \ou mean . Do yon think I will 
 Hive up my son s ri^ht i or a hire V. ill L let him remain 
 unavenged for the sake ot presents . >.o. I will pursue 
 this \\ inte warrior from no such motive. I would not move 
 my iinsrer at. him, to injure him i or the paltry object of iriin. 
 And. listen to it had I him new in my power, all the wealth 
 ot your threat kinii would not save him from beini/ saeriiiced 
 to the departed spirit of my son. 
 
 " Brother ! I would be an<iry with you but for this reason 
 I know that the customs of your country prevent you 
 from think i:i>r your oiler an insult. Tin.-, and your iirno- 
 (>[ our customs, excuse you. Bu . as every Indian 
 may not make this consideration, that 1 now do, L would 
 advise you never asrain to oiler any of our warriors a bribe- 
 to act contrary to his feelinu s. If you do, he will be apt 
 to turn upon you as the bear turns upon those who wound 
 him. 
 
 " iiiother! I leave you< I pursue our released prisoner, 
 but it is to destroy him, for he who killed my son must not 
 walk abroad upon the earth." 
 
 So savin:/, he left the Frenchman with a look of liich dis 
 dain, and set oil on his revengeful errand. 
 
 The day after the council was held, tin 1 French pro 
 ceeded with their prisoners for fort l.e Bo tif, which was 
 situated on French ( reck, near where the present \diain- ot 
 \\aierlord stands. It \vas the commander of tins fort, who, 
 to hi> ollicial instructions, and to the 
 is uoveniment. to prevent any I lntdish 
 111! made west o 
 ihe ( hiewvs to attack our 
 
 war, which, although il bran disastrously for the British 
 arms, yet resulted, under the energetic auspice* of the elder
 
 72 I UK \V [LDKllN KSS. 
 
 Pitt, iii the total expulsion of the French aushonty from this 
 extensive region of America, uiul in their discomfiture in the 
 East uiHl West Ind:e- oral oUier parls of the w>rld, 
 
 raising 1 ilie power and influence of the British nation to the 
 hiuhesi pinnacle of strength and glory. 
 
 It was during the disastrous ])eriod of (his war, thai the 
 .iiccl hut unfortunate expedition oi \\ addr-rk to this 
 wilderness, the m.s! impressively disastrous oi all its events, 
 took place, and perhaps, had more the efTi cl of drawing the 
 attention of mankind towards these remote regions, and their 
 avage inhabitants, ihan any o icr tran^aciioii recorded in 
 history. This noted expedition, which is still referred to 
 as an epoch in tl rica, will, on ac 
 
 count of the influence it had upon the for ime.- of those per 
 sons whose adventures we have undertaken to relate, come 
 again under our notice d j -iiirse oi this work, when, 
 
 we trust, ft \vill i;e :;i mir power to . jive tlie reader some 
 more circumstantial deuiils concernine 1 it, than he can pro 
 cure from any public In --lory at present extant. \Vo may 
 hero observe, !; thai ; : i not our ignition to d\\ p ell 
 
 more minutely upon those matters that are already known 
 to the world, than wili he necessary to aii -rd a (dear and 
 satisfactory view of their connexion with the individuals in 
 whose ailah s M immediately concerned. \Ve, 
 
 therefore, b those who may wish 
 
 for more e in, of a public character, con 
 
 cern;;:^ Braddock 1 . lo ihe numerous, well-written, 
 and copious hi; f that int; riod, \\ hich the 
 
 world already . and v. iiic-ii we can assure the 
 
 reader an d wor 
 
 thy of cretiii as our 
 
 The Fivp.ch - ..ho, as \ve iiave seen, were hoili 
 
 glad and ei rry at iho escape of ( diaries Addeilv, finding 
 
 ! :!vc true Frcnchnu n 
 
 cast c . at .d ilie next day ,-et out with those pris 
 
 oners which rei Le i d-uf, in order to 
 
 have them there secured, as soon as possible, from anv acci- 
 tlent, whether of escape or of Indian violence. Ti 
 \vere now c liy seven in number, four having died of their 
 ynunds ihr pv ceding !:i(. ! >t. (Jf those \\ ]\ f < survived, thrf-
 
 i.TMi v.ere slightly wounded, among whom was our acquaint- 
 nce Peter .M F. i!. whose left arm had hem broken hy llio 
 troke of nu In<!i;m hattle-axe before lie submitted to be 
 annul. Thus, of those twenty irallant fellows that had so 
 lately crossed the Allegheny mountains, only eiirbt were 
 MOW living ; and but five, one of whom was Charles Ad- 
 Serly, himself, had escaped Irom their savage foes without 
 .icrsoiud injury. 
 
 The French were assisted bv a do/c-n of Chippeway 
 
 warners. in escorting the prisoners to their destination, the 
 
 "mainder of the savages having agreed to continue their 
 
 1 xcursion into the \ irginian settlements, for the sake of 
 
 idditionnl plunder and scalps. 
 
 V. hen the escort wiili the prisoners had proceeded about 
 ive miles on their way, t!;e\- came to a tent situated at the 
 a hi!!, near a small brook, at which they halted. In 
 lis lent ihere were three or four sntiaws, and two French 
 men, one of whom was lym^ on a tolerably comfortable bed 
 made of buffalo skins and some blankets spread upon dried 
 leaves, which, as it was now considerably advanced in the 
 I ill, were scattered in o-real. abundance all through the woods, 
 i his man was laboring under a liad wound from a musket, 
 1 dl he had received in the roin, which still remained there. 
 ! ! i- appearance, as well as that of his companion, immedi- 
 ; ely Miiroested to J eter .M Fall th.it these were the men he 
 J. id overheard conversing previous to the attack of the In- 
 ( "ins, one of whom he kne\v be had Avounded. lie beard 
 t .is man moan once or twice from the pain he endured, and 
 - heart smote him from a consciousness of having been its 
 c .use. 
 
 lie went forward to the patient, and taking him by the 
 1 iid, - Now, honey," .-aid he, -did vou never see me 
 1 rfore . 
 
 The man looked at him, and answered ".No." 
 !5y my sowl, then," he continued, your eyes were not 
 si ifood as mine. And it is lucky for mv head they were 
 n t, or else a. bullet mi^ht now have been Iving as siiu^ in 
 n y brain as in your kidney, my jewel !" 
 
 The man stared at him when, as if struck with some hap- 
 
 p lde:i. he coilt mned
 
 " Arrah now ] have ii n ill. Be 
 
 "\ ou ll I 
 
 h ! pin- 
 
 cere, ami lie il oon - that la/e.- 
 
 S!!>.aek li)!:i !l!iy,." 
 
 lit- here c.illt d on I to ti i :: i)ii we 
 
 have before mi iMoned, whose nam 
 
 " By my sow 1, doctor ! ohs for 
 
 von, you ever did i:: \ ur life. * 
 
 ^FFaddyen was only here, he wouldn t be after asking the 
 second !iivL ii! , r t.> d > i 1 , when 
 
 of nun;;. jJnt, ( li-d . f you, \ on c,:ii 
 
 :; Iiair for yoi ny life to 
 
 . 
 
 tliis tiiiK 1 : ; 
 
 service in exiractiii i tiu: \>-M , 
 
 and the FITI: : I the instruments he had 
 
 brought with him iVoni pinl iilelp. i ::, 
 
 plunder, of which ih tor tiian t::; 1 In 
 
 dians, they were .soon I, and th^ m per- 
 
 fonncd. 
 
 When Peter <rot the bullet in Ki.- hand, he exjimined n 
 closely, and perceiving that it was perforated with a sinaii 
 hole, he commenced liii .a in^ it into ih:: air, and c itching n 
 again, exclaiminw as lit: continued tin.- operation 
 
 " Uy Saint Columb! I have you ao-ain, my boy ! ]jiu 
 :lie d :vil a hit of iiiilv Kinder will e 
 
 /ii^- v !i:j i 1 -: .- to you : lin, my h ; in tin 
 
 moulds i; : , 
 
 him ycsterda\. ini ! Bui \vhen I 
 
 send you scam ! r a i renc 
 
 hip, my hi .: him, b 
 
 once, or tlo:f I touch : 
 
 Peier w.is lierc intorruDi [)lie to t!:: 1 
 
 bullet, by one of the Frenchmen accosting him rather ab 
 ruptly, in an unintelligible mixture! of French and En. ;li> 7 :, 
 lo rej/eat which verbatim, would be as diflic , . : read
 
 ddress, in of tlic lano iiao e, pre- 
 
 > vhcndinir i 1 - : and 
 
 Frenclm 
 
 _ 
 
 , :}-. i, my jewel, it s 
 
 : : ! hke a irentleman, every incii ot 
 
 \ in;. \ :;: ii ! : v, , ! ! mother who bore 
 
 tient at IK i:iir . din-cl an- 
 
 \v< : unintelliirible, and coni- 
 
 .ond P |ve!ie;"-i< -,, ./hicli occasioned 
 
 liini ti) : ::. : : i; ! 
 
 urine, Til be ha iiii . d. 
 
 Z - tf. <:{ Which 
 
 . era] times, \vitli 
 sounds, :!:, ; : ivier 
 
 i _, I p< .V:V Iff plirp !1 1 (>! 
 
 1 ,. 
 
 
 
 I i, !er either 
 
 i . rst, lo understand him. 
 
 ; nov\ loo plain i or misconeep- 
 
 , 
 
 V, : . .1 , YOU"! 
 
 : i \ i . i 1 1 ; : _; a man 
 
 ". ii liie iltrou^h llie head . 
 
 . 
 
 !roo de ! .claimed tlie, l "ri nc iman 
 
 i : "oni lime ;!. 
 
 led, \viliu is exclamai .on 
 
 \ . i i d ; i 1 i ! 1 1 \ i ! ; ; ! i . 1 1 1 u o . , : . i 1 i i e d < 1 1 i u r 
 
 him as ;iale as a leek . ;md f-.iih and troili, 
 tossed up ill! 1 bullet, and e- . 
 
 e s \vali 
 : made 
 
 ]i - lull; i:n _;::, , ! !|eis, 1 !! ; 1 1 1 i 1 1 
 
 ! h; Vv unid d : ! Tsiandui" lie naMii e <ii ihc 
 
 d (::--:: ni !. v/ -en hi- e . u: m and i ; "i"r, ey plained i<> 
 
 I 1 Ini I.K-; the cireum.-;auc"- : ol I he case, a.ckiiM\\ led^iny-
 
 ? > nil 
 
 himself ami Ins companion to IK: tin- a^anvssors, noi oni\ 
 on account of acting, as tlicv were then doinir. in ihe char 
 acter oi spies, but on account of having shot lirs! at i eter. 
 
 I eter, lindino- tliai the patient liad exculpated liim, seizi d 
 his hand, and cried out "Arrah! loni; life to von. for your 
 self is a gentleman; and] wouldn t send my hull am where 
 Inn into your kidnev. my honey, when: il lav snnir amonii 
 tlie fat. like a little pi<<; in a shutter, and the devil a hit oi 
 harm I knew it would do yon. my jewel. Och ! the hies;-- 
 inn oi Saint Bridget lie on yon. 1 or YOU liave saved poor 
 Peter s neck from the twist, master and ihe doctor will 
 cure you in a week, as sound as a church hell Only no\\ 
 take a little of the stingo to warm your stomach, dear. 
 Sure, don t I know from experience, that whiskey " 
 
 Here the surgeon interrupted IVter, desirinsr him to lea\e 
 the patient, for that euieincss and repose were absolutely 
 neresr-arv to him after the operation lie had undergone. 
 As to whiskey or br.mdv, or any such liquor, it would, 1 
 he ohserved. "he extrenr.lv detrimental to him in his 
 
 ijjin.vi, observing, "Sure, doctor, you know 
 better than I do. But, by my sowl, I always found a drop 
 of the cratur good for myself, and sure, YOU know, 1 
 couldn t think i; bad for another." 
 
 The performing of this operation, and the enjoying of a. 
 plentiful repast, consisting of venison, wild fowl. Indian- 
 corn bread, biscuit, and various other luxuries supplied from 
 the French store s, and which the. squaws, assisted bv one 
 of the Frenchmen, who was fond of good eating, had se! 
 about preparing for the party immediatelv on its arri\ah 
 consumed so much of the day, that it was proposed to pneh 
 a few more tents, and spend the remainder of ii in this 
 place in jollity and enjovmenl. This agreeable proposal 
 was relished bv the whole company; and ihe French, du 
 ring the evening, got into such good humor with the pris 
 oners, that the\ permitled them to join in their revels, 
 ordering the Indians, however, to keep a good look out. les: 
 anv oi them should escape. As to the surgeon, whose 
 manners, education, and good sense, indicated the: uvn- 
 tleman, he had, immediately after the operation, obtained.
 
 77 
 
 ou his parole of not attempting to leave them until they 
 should arrive at l,e Bauif, the indulgence of being master of 
 his own motions, with the command of a rifle, for the pur 
 pose of hunting and fowling. 
 
 There are, perhaps, no people in the world better quali- 
 ued to enjoy tlie passing moment than the French. They 
 have the happy faculty of dismissing care whenever it be 
 comes troublesome to their feeling.*, or unnecessary for their 
 purposes; and on this evening they exerted that faculty in a 
 most commanding and masterly manner. We have seen 
 that they had brought themselves into a predicament ealcu- 
 a ed to make the most serious impression on their minds, 
 and that they were fully aware of the circumstance; and 
 yet, when they had got their bodies replenished with a rea 
 sonable portion of substantial fare, and had warmed their 
 minds with a sufficient dose of brandy punch, or, as on this 
 occasion they were not over nice, with whiskey grog, they 
 bade for the time adieu to all uneasy reflections, and abso 
 lutely set the power of fortune at de.iianca, except the power 
 she had of making them happv for the present, 
 
 Kaudoai catches, songs, jests, glees, dances, and loud 
 .aughing, were all that they now either could or would 
 think of. In vain did the affairs of to-morrow venture to 
 intrude. Out they were hurled there was no room for 
 ihein in bosoms where hilarity, mirth, and pleasure pos 
 sessed every comer that could be spared. 
 
 If the French are noted for unthinking frivolity, the Irish 
 are no less .so for a fervency of feeling, by which they are 
 enabled to suppress the sug^estiou-s of care, as effectually as 
 he trench can dismiss them. ilouiv, when opportunity 
 "empts, they arc ever ready to yield with their whole heart 
 and soul to the ti:ll tide of enjoyment, and swim away on its 
 stream, regardless of consequences. On this occasion, there- 
 iore, there was none who entered with more spirit into the 
 humors of the ovo-iino;, than Peter M Fail. 
 
 On a green level sward, by the edgy of the rivulet, the 
 fiarty formed a circle; but it was fir a verv different pur 
 pose from that funned the preceding day by the Indian 
 omicil. Here were no life and death matter? to he dis- 
 ussed here were no serious and vehement culls for the 
 8
 
 78 THE 
 
 d^struction and burning of a fellow-be;!!;; no loud and sor 
 rowful manifestations of ofricf no fierce and rei- ented mi 
 precations of vengeance upon mi unfortunate captive. Grief, 
 vengeance, and every u her uncomfortable feelim:, were ban 
 ished as unwelcome guests : while ^ood humor, sprightiinrSb, 
 cordiality, and joy, were invited to he on ,-ent, and inspire 
 the revels of the evening by the merry strains i>i a French- 
 man s flute, and the jolly sounds of an Irishman s voice : 
 for, in the intervals of the; flute player s performance, Peter, 
 with great spirit, industriously exerted cimseif, to n. 
 the company from vvanMng music, by sinking the merr\ 
 lilts of his native country. 
 
 At the commencement of the supple-heeled sport, the In 
 dians had entertained the party by exhibiting ; 
 dances ot their nation. The war dance, the iimitin;; d:-nce, 
 the courtship dance, the marriage dance, and the birth dance. 
 had each its characteristic -features and manu.-uvres some 
 of which were, to the eves of the Europeans, so groti ?que, 
 wild, and ludicron?, tint they M ere kcj.it in. an almost con 
 tinued roar of laughter. 
 
 Peter was particularly tickkd with the romping and ca 
 pering of the squaw?, who were tolerably handsome women, 
 and had been nothing loth to exhibit their personal attrac 
 tions in the various attitudes of their native dances. 
 
 " By the holy Patrick! but it s yourseh (-> can do it in 
 style, my girls! 1 would Peter every now and then exclv.im. 
 while he snapped his finders and beat tiir.e with his feet, in 
 the high glee of admiration at their extraordinary and laugh 
 able performance. 
 
 His fancy was particularly taken with the gracefulness 
 and agility of the youngest of the squaws, who made really 
 an interesting figure among the groupe ; and at every re 
 markable bound she gave, smack went Peter s fiegi-rs in tin: 
 air, dash went his heel upon the ground, and loud rose his 
 obstreperous cheers of applause. 
 
 " Well done, by the powers of Barnaby ! Och ! kape it 
 up, you -swate little soul, ye! There goes mettle fur vox. . 
 He thus kept vociferating, while the company kept laugh 
 ing, almost as much at, his extravagancies, as at the smgu 
 laritips of thr dancer.-. At length his herls itched SM muHi
 
 J.HL UlLl>Kf!M33. ?y 
 
 10 t.-t ar a part in the boisterous amusement, that he could 
 
 keep his seat no longer, but springing up, and with his sound 
 
 nil, hooking in with the squaw who had pleased him so 
 
 iiudi, he leaped, and bounded, und capered among the In- 
 
 i.ms \>, lib all his might, imitating as \vell as he could, their 
 
 vestures :.nd behavior, to the great admiration and delight of 
 
 When the Indians and Peter had finished, the French felt 
 
 uidincd to succeed them in the exhilarating pastime; but as 
 
 tneir musician was desirous to join them, and it was impos- 
 
 io;- him to both dance and play liie flute at the same 
 
 t.me, it was determined that Peter should either whistle or 
 
 i them, as he best could, to keep them in time. But 
 
 i knew none of the airs to which, they were accustomed, 
 
 ral ineffectual attempts to learn some of them, 
 
 t.Me Ffndi wen. at last obliged to accommodate themselves 
 
 t . those they did know. Tm>v accordingly set oil with 
 
 Sancv Duwson, 1 to which they tripped airily and nimbly 
 
 n measured movements, with great art, sprighlliness, 
 
 :. d vivad y. Now. for every ten or lifloen minutes they 
 
 c : mgrd their mood, and Peter had as ofien to change hU - 
 
 n i". t!ie light corant. :|.e gay cotillion, the merry rigga- 
 
 d on. the measured wall?., and the sprightly jig. succeeded 
 
 [d e ich odier, and wer rattled oil to tip 1 successive tunes of 
 
 the ln-h Washerwoman, the Soldier s Jov, the VVdiite Cock- 
 
 ;K . Patrick s Da\ , and Morgan Hauler. Through these. 
 
 v; ions mea-ure> the nimble-toed Frenchmen tript gaily and 
 
 lii gly without mudi noise, so that their easy hut busy 
 
 e.\ rtions were, in comparison to tiie violent rompuig, jump- 
 
 m. and tearing which had just preceded them, what the 
 
 img of a gentle river is. to the roaring billows of the 
 
 somewhat wearied with this species 
 a; down to an evening repast, rudely 
 rved up ir> doubt, but plentiful and substantial. 
 ! - \: ~ si.cci eih a :i ii ging oi s unc pn ial snugs, of 
 
 1 cli, onlv the two loliowmg have come into our posses- 
 Tl:: lir-t was MMr, r b\ one ol the Frenchmen, and the 
 i T b\ our iric tid f j eter. Kach sung in his own language. 
 1 die Frenchman s performance we of course can only give 
 t- .mslation.
 
 <<> vra.OLVi.N2ss, 
 
 "/.mail 
 
 Let phi; 1 , -;;IP^ r.5. thp v r.-.ll 
 
 T!it> ni he sources -.fblis.5 
 
 Tiio trne loner of knowledge and pic:;is;ire i- : 
 
 To lie toil! . 
 
 \ ii I nl _ r ;iv, 
 
 To on iH:!: , sur sorrows to cheat^ 
 
 Ah ! think o: ->! iv. 
 
 "VVliMi tis \varzn swi (.t 
 
 friends, 
 
 Kach evil 
 If o!\! v tliis cord 
 
 Wliich to each es : 
 
 Wh: ,! in " (Jisn, 
 
 If thij he;. i" sticks close to riv side 
 
 For in ii!". ;.: in war, tie is won_, 
 
 \Vhcii the foe ia ; and boldly d 
 
 Then, hw.r - ;>f truo wi.uiom a<-;<i ini-tii, 
 
 For mirth and true wisdom are always roii.bined, 
 The wisrst :>t tliinf.- we C;L:I do upon earth, 
 
 Is like truc-hfaru souls to ::ivo cure to the wind. 
 Then driak from this bottle, !h.-- dr;r;;;ht nt ih li^lit. 
 
 That can banish --ru-ii i!:)ra;--;ii!!j care from the sou!;, 
 Hound and round let us drink, and experiencf to-night. 
 
 The best cordial of lift; is a free-flowing bowl 
 
 Pcfcr M* Fall s Song.. 
 
 In Ireland so frisky, 
 
 With girls and with whiskey, 
 How happy was I when a strapping young lad . 
 
 Every market and fair, 
 
 To bo sure 1 was [ .ere , 
 With mi breeches and boots, like a gentleman clad. 
 
 And then as to monev, 
 
 Och ! sure it was funny, 
 To hear the dear shillings and sixpences clink, 
 
 And the lasses .so sweet, 
 
 Arrnh, faith when we d meet, 
 By the powers I could bring them along with a wink
 
 rui: WII.DKRM.SN. SI 
 
 : A nali. i:: iniluui ! he cjmej.ei 
 And bi in.;- iis th;it liquor " 
 
 I v. ouli! <:r\ ;tic.l heM :,kip ilk.- ; < it in the titif-t ; 
 Si) SHIILl i V thus li.v ii Up. 
 
 The pui.cli 1 SDOII inix d up. 
 Then handed it round so genteel* mid neat, 
 Tii, it the piris;, tin dear cieaturfi, 
 With <;\\ . i ; smiliny I l .iiin ITS, 
 - punch ;:i a tout \v:is : n elegant, neat " 
 
 Och ! the punch \v;is i chcci v, 
 
 I uat soon \\ c ti "t merry, 
 And tl.r las: I lov d hcst sal so snug in ins arms; 
 
 Th;<! 1 courted uin! kiss d hoi , 
 
 An-! tea/ d her and hless d her, 
 1 ill ;he lilnsh u iii-.e the iniiiiii \\ith :i million <il chaMiit. 
 
 1 : . : i ii in in : 
 
 Hiii iu cut s hon in v 
 I i.-- l.fsl tiling oi ii ! i iiiiscit -ncc. i tell von tin tiutli, 
 
 ( !n tin 1 !! i !s tu lie \r\ iti 4. 
 
 i u !ii;: lie I h -in cii|ii|)! \ iii :, 
 I -. I jii .: of food Clinch -iii .i ;i licit --ir:ipj)iii;r vonlli. 
 
 The iifN i. inoniinjr l!in party ro-coniinoiired their |ounu i y 
 
 in fort \ ,c HdMit , !c;i\ii)L r tlio \\-;i;i!i(l j(i Frenchman, who w;is 
 
 to cniiurc rcinovulj iihdcr the care ol otic of his coun- 
 
 lr\ i)H ii ;ui(l two sq!i;t\\ s. They arrived i.t the tort on the 
 
 day o! tlieii journey, without nieetino; witli ;inv ae.ci- 
 
 <! nt worth reeoi (liii^. Here the escort of Indians received 
 
 |i -cuts tor ill.-- sei vitros t e-v )>.ad performed, and were dis- 
 
 n ssfd. 
 
 As for the |)ris:)iii;!-s. ihev were all sliu-tly confined within 
 i rainj) i irts. except the surgeon, v/ho was occasionally ]>er- 
 iii tied on his parole, to recreate himself in the adjacent 
 itry. ():;; friend .i eter had il in his power, very shortly 
 hi- arrival, o;; acconni o! his undorstandinjr a little 
 ! :i:ch, to have e\: iia.n ."".! his situation D| a Prisoner, for 
 ll i t of a s. -rvaiit to one of liie ofiicers li;:t he promptly re 
 in c(i :t. from ;; molive whimsical enough, perhaps, hut cer- 
 la dy hon!:ra!)!e to his lidelily which was his resolution 
 MI ; to serve any one in a menial canai-ity except Charles 
 A. !erl\ , t. he airain v- i ; h whom, soon hecaine the leading
 
 8.S 
 & 
 
 a prisoner, and coi er ilic contiol of certain 
 regulations whirl: i ; id not relish; and \\hal was \\orse 
 he \va ter, \\ ho mi^ht lie .so 
 circumstanced c his services, lie. there 
 fore, jolly, pny. uiui ilun-- s Jiis disposition \v:ts , h:iu 
 suilii-icnt r - 1 -!?!;!! Cor leclinQ- nncusy in his cnptivily. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 ALTHOUGH Tonnaleuka ;iiid !iis iirotc<re liad rotired in a 
 slow and unhurried iiip.nnci 1 . \\hile in view ol the Indians, 
 yet they were no sooner removed from their ohservatien, 
 th in the former, who was nv/nro of Carnuvoona a implac 
 able and rancorous temper, tisouirlit projier to ]:;:.^ten on 
 wards with the utmo;- speed. lie conceived it prudent a!.=o 
 to change his direction, so that if the unappeasable savaor 
 should pursue them, he miL hi not he (MI ilie proper track. 
 He accordingly turned towards the uorthwaid, in which, 
 course he kept for about two miles, then turnino- airain to 
 wards the east, in about two hour? -after he left the savages 
 he reached the Alleo -,; .:y river nearly six miles above tht 
 Shanapin s town. Tiere they entered the \visi\vam of ai: 
 Indian, who receivcil them with great reverence and respect. 
 Tonnaleuka ( ; esired this man to prepare some refreshments.
 
 TJIE WILDERNESS. 
 
 and while this was doing, he beckoned to Charles, to v. hom 
 he had not yet, since their leaving the Ohippeways, spoken 
 a single "\vord, to follow him. lie h ; the way into a nar 
 row di! e from the wigwam, and to 
 surprise addn L in English. 
 
 My son," sail! he, "let us here worship the Great 
 Father of all, and thank him for ihy deliverance." 
 
 They fell on their knees, and the prophet lifting his eye?., 
 and spreading his hands to heaven, addressed the Supreme 
 Origin of -ill things as follows: 
 
 Almiijiitv Spin! ! We kneel here to adore thee, and to 
 thank thee. V, e adore thee for thy incomprehensible great 
 ness, for thy iilimiiahh 1 pov\vr, and thy everlasting purity, 
 V, e thank thee for thy inexhaustible goodness, thy readiness 
 to forgive, and thy forbearance to punish. Thy greatness 
 fills u-; with wonder, thy power with awe, and thy purity 
 wnh admiration. Thy iroudness inspires our love, thy rea- 
 dii.tss to forgive, our hope, and thy forbearance to punish, 
 I aliuuie. 
 
 Aliniirhty and good Spirit! Yv e humbly adore thee 
 and thank thee, at this time in particular, for the maniU-sia- 
 ti"ii of thy goodness in delivering this yo;;th, as ihou hast 
 this day done, from the hands of an unpityinir and cruel 
 enemy, \\lio had determined on his destruction. Ho is on 
 his knee-* and 1 am on mine. Look at us, merciful Spirit! 
 look mio our hearis thon wilt see them truly thankful for 
 this .-imial instance of thy protecting ami kind providence. 
 lie thanks thee because thon hast, in this manner, assured 
 him of thy friendship, and ! than!; thee, both because thou 
 hasi saved him, and because, in doing it, thou hast ma.de me 
 thy humble instrument. 
 
 "Almighty Spirit . Hear us yet ! \\ e entreat thee to be- 
 always our protector from evil, onr deliverer from distress, 
 and our director and conductor through all the snares and 
 intricacies of life, so that we may act pleasingly io thee, and 
 be worthy to I e i : ih d ihv children, and deserving of thy 
 favor. 
 
 "Aliniirhty Spirit we have done, and we hope thoi: 
 Inst been graciously attentive to what we have said, 
 Ann n."
 
 \Yheii they arose, ( harles caught the prophet by ihc 
 hand. 
 
 " Father." said lie, " permit me to a^k who tliou nrt, whom 
 that holy (Joil we have m -MI worshipping, has made the 
 menus of rescuin? mo from n cruel d. n ;uh :" 
 
 My son, replied Tonmdeuka, "1 am a man like thy 
 self. I have, home trial?, perhaps more severe than thou 
 hast, and vet survived them ; i\,r our (.-Iron! Father was good 
 K me. lie has sustained me, uul thanks he to his jrood- 
 ! ;c lias not left me \\ithonl come comfort in the world. 
 In return for his mercie , I wish to serve him in that way. 
 which of all others i* I M" mosl ple-ising to h ; m. the doing 
 oood to hi? creature 1 . 
 
 " My brothers, the Indian,-., wai:e often hloody and cruel 
 v/nrs ni! :iin.st each other, a :id, a-- 1 know, thai the Great 
 Father is always displeased nt any enieliies inflicted upon 
 his children, 1 think i! mv dutv. und I make it my hn^ ine>s, 
 r. i ."(> from trihe to tribe, endeavoring to reconcile them when 
 llicj quarrel, or if l ! : ! y \ri! ! destroy each other, 
 
 fryir.ii nil in mv power (-.) mi ;r unnatural f.-roeity, 
 
 and In so 1 tea and res . or when 
 
 I cannot succeed in thi*. to di: them, if possible, in 
 
 the execution of then 
 
 "I ma.v have oiii^r cares ;::\d employments on hand. 
 15:!t. mv son, ! wish yon to innuire n - furiher conceining 
 me. Tonnalenka cai!:;o{ no .v teli ;di lie knows to the 
 world, and I should not. wish inquiries to he made, that 
 I must rei tiso to answer. 
 
 " Mv son new in a ir from the 
 
 Liocs of your ncopie, without friends or resources. 
 
 Something n.u : our common lather 
 
 has thro\vn you upon my care, 1 shall try !o do something. 
 
 Ma} 1 ask what would best suit yon lo be done " 
 
 Charles now plated to him the name and residence of his 
 father, and rrave him a e">:ici.-e account of the expedition 
 which he had commanded, and which had ended so disL?- 
 Irouslv. lie concluded bv o\ ; jer vinir. tint ho nov 
 nothing left (or l;im but to mr-ke his way back to Pliihidel- 
 |ih ;a as speedily as lie could. 
 
 :! \Ivson," said he Propiiet. - von <
 
 THE Wl LBERNEPS, 
 
 rn to your friends is the most prudent thing you can do. 
 But the journey i- ; long ; and considering the state of the 
 country. to a single individual, especially u white man, bred 
 i;p in cities, it must be impracticable. You \vill find no 
 provisions on the vay, and there i.s scarcely a path to guide 
 you, lor more than two hundred miles. It will not he easy 
 to oveiTOine these difficulties. But 1 shall try to assist you, 
 and, pei haps, it may he done. In this country you are not 
 sue. I acknowledge it, my son. My brothers of the dif 
 ferent tribes will distiust you, for they have had reason to 
 both distrust and dibiike white people. But from Carra- 
 wcona your greatest perils will arise. Beware of him, for 
 1 know he is implacable, and will destroy you if he can. 
 
 My son, until we can prepare matters for your return to 
 tin.- east, I will tell you where to reside, and where 1 hope 
 Carrawoona will not find you. About fiftein miles from 
 us, on the bank of the Me.nonnaliela, lives the only man of 
 your nation in this country. II is name is Fra/ier. He i.s 
 my friend, lie will entertain you till 1 meet you there. 
 which will not be many days. 1 would go with you now, 
 but I must watch the motions of the Chippeways, and espe 
 cially of Carrawoona, that 1 may frustrate, if possible, any 
 atieii.pt against you. 
 
 " My son, we will now partake of the refreshments pre 
 pared for us in this wigwam. Its owner will supply you 
 will 1 , arms for your protection, for he is my friend ; but as 
 the day is now advanced, you had better lodge with him to 
 night. In the morning you will proceed to the house of 
 my white brother, Frazier, where you will remain till I 
 see you." 
 
 They accordingly partook together of a tolerably com 
 fortable repast of some wild fowl, and a preparation of 
 Indian corn, called hom my, after which Tonnalueka depait- 
 ed, havm<r first inven Charles particular directions how to 
 lint! the u ay to (i illicit Fra/ier :5 residence, ll is as need 
 le.- s to repeat the expressions of gratitude poured out by 
 Charles to his deliverer, when they separated, as to de- 
 sciibothe profound feeiinu of pious awe and thankfulness to 
 the Deiiy with \\hich, when left to his own reflections, he 
 felt his mind impressed. The reader who knows the cir-
 
 cumstanees we-; have detailed, \vill givti him credit tor boili, 
 as readily, and to .is i^real an extent, as if they were pointed 
 with .-ill UK: accuracy and force thai the culo. n.:; uf language 
 could jive them. 
 
 There is no fecim^ whatever so conducive to sound re- 
 a? the imprc-sioii of beui;f in tiie fa or and under ll): 1 
 piotectjoa of a supreme providence. Tiie wonderful deliv 
 erance which Charles had obtained from an M \vful and ap 
 parently inevitable faie, naturally produced upon his mind 
 tins e 1 en;iv; such aii impression ; and with feelings of a 
 isiosi comfortable, ahhou^n sidi inurn c cription 
 
 hiich feeli!!!jo as the manii": who, al ter the extinction of ali 
 hope, has been just rt^eued iroiii the power of .he rnum^ 
 main, experiences on ia\ in^ nis exhausted frame upon the 
 kindly-spread couch oi hume hospitable cotla<j;( i r he laid 
 himself down upon the bed of dry leaves and biitfalo skins 
 prepared fur him in one corner ot the wigwam by its friend 
 ly owner, and enjoyed a .sound and ; - elreshin<.>; sieep. \vhicti 
 .cd I iii ilu; morniiiu . 
 
 le arose, h;s iVieiidly host supplied hiiii with a 
 Tun and a war-axe; and with the former upon his should* 1 "-, 
 and the latter, together with some ammunition and provisions 
 l^irl to . he s, v forward mi iiis joiuney to (-Jilbert 
 
 Frazier s. i hc reader IP iy saul" at the car;> v.-nh which a 
 you n^ i eilow like him took to equip himself for so short a 
 ramble as fifteen miles; an excursion which a smart youiur 
 ?;ian ol his age v\oiiid in our day think no hardship to per 
 form in tuo or , ha\e. on care 
 ful inquiry, saii-iaclonly ascertained that ihe yoriuir men in 
 " 1 raddock s j iines \vere in all respects as co .:ra<;eous, 
 spirited, and active, as they are even m ours, and that 
 Charles Adderlv was one of the mosi emiii Mit of them in 
 in all these particulars; ye; he expected and found the per 
 forming of ih.u same journey of fifteen miles in about seven 
 hour.*, to be no despicable task. Hut it was the difficulty of 
 the road, and not the incapacity o! the man. that made it so; 
 and I can assure any of our modern heroes, who may imag 
 ine themselves lit to make as <jood a fijruri-; in a novel as 
 Charles Adderly, that they would have considered the jour 
 ney of which we are speaking as difficult, and found it as 
 tedious as he did
 
 . 87 
 
 T" have a proprT ]( i. . ,.t |ijg Mi i- t mi. <! H! what lie lnd ( 
 1.1 encounter, let any reason: Me reader lav down th;-- I 
 tor :L moment, and lii>ure In himself ;i yonnt>- i.ii.-m o! -ociable 
 : -, accustomed dm:: .: all hte pas; life, to the animation 
 .iui refinement of ciu . < , and churches, > paved 
 
 :oads, flagged pathways, duelled walks, no\v di opprd. 
 
 \ one of fortin d;s, in;.> the midsi of a 
 
 Mi haro\;s :\tid p.i;i,:ess \, . ;; close grown forest of 
 
 lieavy ;i;!ii er uf aii ei r:s <ak. hii ^ory, inapie, cho?snut, 
 nut, hircii. .io<> woo. !, pop; ir, *.Vt\ die., tin- ^inali :- paces 
 between \viuc ; i ^cie fnnipi. U:Iy chokud v;p i>y a iiiiviifiant. 
 trou ili ol underwood, wild irra^ : e,-> of innumerable desc.rip- 
 iions, not to mention Hu 1 tn;i,ks o; Inrge trci-s that irui lalii \\ 
 i. oin liu decrepitude of ae, or were overthrown by t!;. tur v 
 
 IDS, and \vhicii were perpetually presentin 
 i c obsti uctions to she proo resj of the traveller. Ami tiiiH 
 ! o. .n an extremely i .iliy country. iutei> :r!e- i l>v deep ra- 
 vines, elejis, ;iiul (i liis h .s ^ :th nit number or regularity, and 
 t it ol si)Mie oi \v!ii:h i; was impossible lor a stranger t<.< 
 < veii a!ii_U liiiiiself wilhont im-redible labor ;aid dextei ity. 
 
 JMICJI \VH< tiie coiinlr , ihi ii .i^ii wiiicii L haries Adderly, to 
 . . horn any sav;.oe path that miyhl be in it was toi.iliy un- 
 k iuwn. uinlertool;. in tue year l ?f) i, without iiniiie or com- 
 | mion, to traver.- r 1 . for a short distance indeed, but over 
 ^;>u!!il so difficult, and amidst impediments so intricate, that 
 r would l)o easier now to traverse tin,- same space in tuo 
 h mis than it was tm-n in sev< n. 
 
 The directions, howcvf-r, winch C harles had received 
 h TII tiie prophet, ucre plain, a;ii he set forward i ea, 
 n tiling, aiiiiouuii it was the first time he had ever been ;:i- 
 u .i dlier alone amidst ilr.: wood-^. I ut tins very circuin 
 s ince, instead of reivierinir IMS c.viir.-i U! disairrcv 1 ; 
 ll / i ver i 1 a peculiar charm of novelty and romance, 
 \\ lich, ! i a mind constituted and circumstanced as ins then 
 u is, was mi \pio.-:i!)ly attractive. 
 
 Meie I ail!," in 1 woui-i sav t.i himsi if, as he oiieii p. ms 
 ei to rellect, on an a ini^d! ii i.m whence he conhl 
 
 lo k Inr ,-ome short di lanco around him ; " here am 1, in 
 iF- mid-! of iliis iiiimense forest, cut <iH from ih.n i)!i>\ 
 w ii id of civilisation with whicti alone 1 am acninintcr,
 
 88 /UK \VILDF.RXKS5- 
 
 Here am I, with God alone for my companion ! Oh, wliai 
 a sublime and awful thought ! Vet, why tremble at its 
 vastness ! It cannot be presumptuous, for it is true: 
 
 "Oh, adorable Being ! tliou hast placed me here, where I 
 feel the true independence and dignity of my nature, for 
 here 1 am only dependent on thee. In this place sneietv 
 claims nothing from in 1 , nor 1 any thinrj from it. Were all 
 my fellow-men extinguished from the earth, and I left alone 
 here, dependent, just as I now almost feel myself to be, sole 
 ly on my own exertions and thy blessing, how awful, how 
 solemn, but how ennobling, how elevating, would be the 
 thought! O! lei me fur a moment enjoy the magnificence 
 of the idea, fur it will on!v list a moment. There are ye! 
 men in the world wiih whom I must unite, and to who-r 
 institutions and form* 1 must bend and this soul-exahiru 
 illusion of my God and myself, being all my cone -rn, will 
 soon va: .ish. But it is thy will, and I submit." 
 
 At other times the reeollecH on of Carrawoona s malig 
 nancy towards him, would occur to his m md,a-id he would. 
 especially in passing ravines, glens, and rivulets, instinct 
 ively exerl all iii.s ]a>".ilii .- of hearinir an 1 seeing, h;?t an 
 enemy should attack him unawares. At length, having ex 
 erted both mind and body, with intense energy for a number 
 of hours, he reached the Monongahela ; but he was uncur 
 tain from not seeing the marks referred to in his directions, 
 whether Gdbert Fraziers bouse was, in respect to tiv j river, 
 above or below him. In this state of incertitude respecting 
 his course, he reclined himself beneath a large maple tree 
 that grew upon the bank, amidst a thicket of sassafras, 
 elders, and hazels, in order to reflect, a little before lie should 
 determine on which way to pr.r>eed. Here his mind so-n 
 wandered from its original object, and turned towards the 
 waste and barbarous state of the country where he was then 
 seated, a forlorn solitary be uur, amidst ferocious savages, and 
 the object of intense hatred to some of them. 
 
 Among other subjects of reflection, the strange circum 
 stance of .) white man enjoying a permanent and unmolested
 
 [ HE WILDERNESS. 
 
 -sidence in such a country, and amidst such inhabitants, 
 
 : TM- his attention, and excited his snrprse. What could 
 luce a single individual of Ivtropean origin to settle among 
 Mich a people, ami hi such an unpromising region, he could 
 understand; and it i; had not been that tie considered it 
 ohnost profane to douhl the word of Tonnaleuka, he sho ; :ld 
 have conceived the tale of a white man i.-inir in that vicinity 
 a-^ altogether fabulous. To believe it, however, he \\- is re 
 solved, Miice his deliverer had said it and believe it he did; 
 bat he conceived tha this nvm must be some adopted son 
 of a savage, perhaps married to a squaw, and in point of 
 manners, disposition, and understanding, in all probability, 
 ii ithing superior to his wild brothers of tin; forest. 
 
 ilaviMLT come to this, charitable estimate: of Gilbert s char- 
 acier, he rose to pursti" his course up the river, almost care 
 less whether or not it should briivj him to t!ie residence of 
 one of whom he had form- d si indill -jrent a:i opinion. 
 S nee Tonnaleuka had agreed to meet hi n t:!! . i;i . he indeed 
 AVIS desirous to lind the price : but that ho believed he 
 co dd easily do without at present .nvnr_r himself much trou- 
 b ! " about it, before Tonnaleuka could be, expected to reach 
 ;t. In the meantime, the falling in with any Indian wigwam, 
 m;n ht aii onl him for the niL r ht, as hospitable, and perhaps as 
 en niortabie a lod^ in:; . With these idea-; revolving in his 
 m:nd, as hi j \vas advancing from his thicket, he perceived, 
 to his utter astonishment, tv.-o while mid decently attired 
 females, appm ichm > towards him down the bank of the. 
 river, fie suddenly drew back m f .o h 1 - concealment, struck, 
 tie with fear, hut vvi .li awe; lor as he could not suppose 
 eh di/ed white WOIUMI to >e in -le-li a place, and, at thetii st 
 u I ice. he saw thev were not squaws, lie for an instant eon- 
 d 1 l"d liii ui to be uolbiuu h. ss thin supernatural beings, 
 tor >ome divine |)urpose, to \ r i^i ! him in his present 
 ex raoi diuarv situation. Ills philosophy, howevi r, instau- 
 t.ii . ouslv rose in anus a^jainsl this conclusion; vel he 
 thc iiiihl lit to remain conceded for a few minutes, until he 
 ha I discovered something more satisfactory concerning ob- 
 |ec s mat had struck his excited fancy as beiiiLf ahnosi. too 
 lo\ . I v to be ej rt hi v. 
 
 V hen thi \- (lre\v ifar (mou<fh, h.owe /er, to be more 

 
 minutely distinguished, lie became satisiied that the) 
 
 of kindred clay, real llesh -nid blood iiki; himself; anil i". 
 
 was delighted to hear their languaoe to be j-liioii-ii, lor mn 
 
 perceiving him, their discourse AS as nut interrupted as they 
 
 passed. 
 
 " It war; indeed a noble, a holy proceeding, worthy <! 
 Tonnaleuka, whose whole pleasure is in domii srood," said 
 she. whom he perceived to be by far the most beautiful < i 
 ihe two, and whose loveliness had. indeed, riveted his alien- 
 lion so much as to make him almost overlook her compan 
 ion, who replied 
 
 "And J addy says thai the prisoner wrfs OHM of the lies! 
 looking younsi men he has ever seen. 1 hope Carrawoona 
 will not lind him." 
 
 "A good providence will protect him!" said the lirsi. 
 "That (Jod who afforded him such a timely rescue is able, 
 and 1 trust that he will still be willing, to extend over him 
 his shield of safety." 
 
 Charles, who at once knew himself to !)e the subject oi 
 this conversation, felt something inexpressibly sweet i.i the 
 tones of that voice which had uttered this wish I or his sale 
 ly : and he \vas oniv prevented from rushing forward io 
 express his "ra itude, bvihat profound feeling of awe he had 
 imbibed at tlieir lirst. appearance, and \vhich Mas now kepi 
 alive, not by an impression of their }>rh;<r unearthly, hut b\ 
 a conviction that one of them suipa-sed all of lier .-ex lit 
 had evi r seen, i.; loveliness and excellence, lie came lot- 
 ward, gradually, out ol his concealment, as thev moved lion 
 him, with his eyes steadily fixed upon them, or rather upon 
 her who had charmed him more than ever woman had be 
 lore. At length, descending into a valley, tV. v were hiddei 
 from his sin hi. 
 
 "i wit! follow her," t ! ;o; ;:ht he. ; although it be no! ;lu 
 course 1 intended such H being can lead no where Inn to 
 safety to happiness." 
 
 lie accordingly hastened afler them ; but, on c^mini; to 
 the point at which they had disappeared, he was surpriser 
 to behold, in a romantic v:;llev heneath him, throug 
 a meajidering rivulet sou;: ht and olitaiiicd a union 
 Monongalit la, :\ neat ami prosperoii:; luukiu;r f.irm.
 
 ,.: i,i fences, lis orchards, ii: : UK adow L ^ iiiid.. and its m id 
 -:ii! \\- stacks o! "rain, surrounding a lar^e, *id> 
 ;!ii;i:ii loir dwelling hous, , oi comfortable appearance, ha v- 
 
 :^- tiie - i >i ; hmejU of bn rn. stable, cov, - 
 
 ;iien disl 
 
 much I he air :i IK! character < ii n 
 :i (iiic \vhosf j mime nui\ r i \ cr\ il:i\ ! < -\i 
 
 \\ i ! u :i place i;i l i" 
 
 iii- p-niscii ii;;- :i iiKciicui. :ii in: iinexpt c led rfi^lit, and 
 
 ; ! a S! ns:itt(i!l of ll()!!li -!"ll couifori ^n>\\ iili 
 
 lie lona \vandcrin<r exile i n re.turniuir homo, 
 
 of his n;iti\ ( viliniic. i !; I . h soine- 
 \ ei \" exi-icii - - ! i ;i" uppca) 1 ;! n 
 . ill !! were in owsiiiir 
 
 so ;:iul diiii^-iiill 
 to \\ arm Ins. hei .ri, 
 re In HI pleasure;. 
 
 I i fair ohjrcl lliat h:id attracted lii:i; hiilier, had been 
 
 r ahoul :i miniile i-oncenled from his view, l>y llie inler- 
 
 i of some trees. 1 ut, Ir- now ;r_r:iiu percei\eo her, 
 
 nion, advancing alon?^ a >hort lam; lowaids 
 
 in, v/iii n lli 
 
 1 . he suddcul\ [)Hrcei\ ( d 
 .o men lioeino- oiil , . wliich hero spread 
 
 io \ iew hel wt i n linn and the ri\ r. 
 
 fie : ppnniched iliem and [icreeived imt 1 al. : o jierreive 
 
 ai 1 niii.- en short ihis ehapHT. A dull peri ormance 
 
 iL;lit never to In 1 a lonu one ; ii is so exhau.^in^ upon ihe 
 
 ader s patience, of which I am desirous thai he should 
 
 iam a >u lln-iciil stock to accompany me through the wliole 
 
 (lore make it ;i nilr, when 1 eel m\seif he- 
 
 . Io cease wrili IP. : and, if pos--ii <\c. 
 
 the reailer 
 
 cease reai : means \\ e have hoili an oppor- 
 
 ni!v o! reco\ laan^ our -jiirits. and ol rei-oiimienein<r oni 
 spedive tasks wiih renewed \ jo-or and animation.
 
 CHAPTER 
 
 Survives thvoii jh ;ill vicissitude : - <>! tinu: 
 
 And iiiil oi staK-s ; ilmt pure jiiitl innate love 
 
 < f liiiiiir.n kiini. uhi.-li pro! <:ruus souJi 
 
 To hi eccls, liicli bi U- il 
 
 Tl;c loj!" ;;r<] f : *t. 
 
 I;,\SKF;T OF SCRAPS. 
 
 I may, at oner, in form the reader, lor I hate a round- 
 about way of tciiinir a story, ihat llic two men whom \vc 
 at ;he termination of the i:;st chapter, lift Clmrlcs Adderlv 
 in t!;e art of approaching, A\ ;TC (Iil!)crt Fi azier and ii : 
 AiT-liy. i hi A were so husih iiKp oyc d in hoeing out iheir 
 poiato(,. tl:at thev did n >i ( bscrvo him tiil lie had advanced 
 almost close to them, when Arch> called on; 
 
 Father! look about! I purie-st ihere s a whiu; man 
 comin" to ii, c ; ! 
 
 Cnlilhert turned r(.und. and \\\\]\ an e\ident, emotion hoih 
 of surprise and respect, moved his hat. and then siandinjf 
 stock still with his hoe in his hand, jrazcd intently at the 
 stranoer until l;r spoke 1 . 
 
 "AJy {rood i riend." raid hr\ 4i ! am an unfortunate wan 
 derer in this wilderness, where I am hoth surprised and 
 rejoiced to meet Aviih a white man. ?,Jay I ask a few 
 nio-lit s lodp-ing- ficm \ our kindness:" 
 
 ]i()do-in ! ! yes. wi a iny hear! a white man! an a 
 pentleman: wi a" my heart! But. may 1 ask your name. 
 sir?" 
 
 3Iv namo is ^.clderlv. j 
 
 " Adder! y A(i;eiJy! you earn wi the Ohio settlers: 
 I dcol na. sir, ye liae he( n unfortunate. Hut we ll -aiuy to 
 the hoose, sir. \ e ll be needin somethin to eat an drink. 
 na (loot- for tliere s no muckle to be had that s <rnid ie-r onv 
 (hin<rin this woods." 
 So saving, he moved forward n. fev/ stens then
 
 93 
 
 snddenlv, he muttered "\\lia keu- ! wha kens! it iruv. 
 be sac" and turnin? i<> Charles, he asked 
 " Adder!\ , ye sav thc\ en ye !" 
 
 Air cannn yo mind to hae o T "cr heard o von Thomas 
 Adder v, wha. when i leev d on the Juniaia. I was Uuild. 
 had eame !Vae Ireland to Philadelphia. " 
 
 "That T!i. imas AtidtTiN" i-= m\ ilith;-,-.* 
 
 "Thomas Addcrlv! \ our i aliier!" (Jilbcrt exclaimed, sta- 
 rin<_ r onrnos lN" in Char! "Thomas Adder! v your 
 
 r;i lier! nr, ;vild I ricn !" here lu> thrcu au ay the hoe 
 I ll he h:!-l lill linvv rr-tainc d in his hand, by way of a 
 walking stick, and calrhinp 1 Charles ea^erlv b\ both hands, 
 he continued his exclnmations " U !i\ ! wr, \ l the sin o my 
 nu id frien , Tljomas Adderly, o Mau^hrvgo A an : ecine to 
 risk lodinn (Vae rue av, that ve ll hae, tlie best that i can 
 U i \< tiie be-i ()((!. : ! ,(- best meat, the best drink, the best 
 o everv tiiiii;; ; that (Jilbert l^razier can fie von. The sin 
 o in\ anld iVieir iVae Maii^hrvuowan Arcb.v! Archy ! rin 
 las , iiiy braw !ad! rin (as!, and tell \ our mother that the 
 sin o" mv anld IrieiT, the sin o" TI enKis Adderly o Alann;h- 
 r\ U - o\van, i-- c ce us. An baste ye, Archv! jlet the 
 
 w!iite-l;iccd e . it s the fattest an be na ian^some, 
 
 owre tie onn ain. an the Laurel I] ill, an the 
 
 1 me. ( . nid bless T , e, 
 s !anj - as 
 
 \ e i a 1 i i o > s a i T , 
 
 An the a.nld squire, - ere ^ranYather, (ni irr, :i funnv da, v L 
 " \vi ;!| " youngsters roon ;iie shrubb- Ties a,n (lie 
 i i e " s 1 1 ) Ve!. " 
 
 iiio i, the latent ac- 
 i \ e . 
 
 <} i, - li - .d , ; e. ill, 
 
 eoiiie ire o tli ; hose. X Vli \ , pti i s lie 11 be 
 
 t<) see the sin ( , b leipia iiilant e ! i i; were na bnrii 
 ; n Mai^ hrvp - iM snt, we.-
 
 9 1 i ni: v. li.uruxf ."s. 
 
 " No," replied Charles, " Pliiladelphia is my birth-place." 
 
 "All! weel, it s na di!i T: nc( -- ve re the sin an the 
 uraif-sin o Maughrygowan men an na doot a true Irish 
 man in your heart." 
 
 Charles ass.uied him, i-vuleMtlv \f:~:y much to his satis 
 faction, iliat he had a <_ r reat partiali;v i or that country: for, 
 ind; pendenl of iis ht-ii:^ the land of hi- fathers, he had 
 there, received the chief part of his education, and spent the 
 happiest pisriion of hio life. 
 
 "Then ye hae heen in Ireland, sir?" 
 
 "Yes; vvithin these last six months I sailed from Lon 
 donderry ." 
 
 "Frae Derry! frae l/erry! an hoo did tin- auld countrv 
 an the auld city look ? \n ye were at Mauffhryofowan 
 too, dooilc.--; " 
 
 "Yes, I spent jiart of the last uinter ther. ." 
 
 "A if \vas every thin;; the same. Ah! i doot na, there 
 an iuony cliarr/er. iiiere s\ ne i sa\v it. Hut 1 need na ask 
 sae fool a question frai i ou, lhat \vas na then in the Ian o 
 the lefvin ! ." 
 
 They ha;l hv fiiis iii"e arrived at ;ho door of (iili;crt > 
 
 dwelling, \\here . v H\ . i;i consequence of Arclr. "s informa 
 
 tion,. Mas (jvaitin r ia a : o reat impatience to meet 
 
 them. i\i r-oiirctMiL;- Manghrygowan. and tlic- days of her 
 
 outh, she had ius! iakeu timi to make h ?)if. as 
 
 .( -t !l c.xluliiit d -uaii S of those 
 
 bloominu ^ a.ces \\hichthirtv years before iiad crp ivated 
 (iiihe reiiort spoke truth, had drawn some eulo 
 
 gies, which had conic to i f>r ea.rs, and now returned to her 
 
 himself. 
 
 "X( ; * . 9 exclaimed (~ ,\\ hey approached 
 
 Avh : :v she stood in the door: "here, here is ibe sin o 
 vcuiiL r squire Adder! ; iUMnianee, an the. tiran - 
 
 siii o" t u? auld squire, just cam frae Derrv owre the sea. 
 an" a th." wa v owre !/::> .Sileu"hen\ .Mountain, an the 
 Laurel Hill, an" tin; (. hesnut Midge, to ask lod iin frae us 
 Did vou ever think o" sefin" 1 fitch a dav?"
 
 THli WII.DKR.N r.ss. !). 
 
 Nellv made a conrtesv, ;m;i ( . nrle;; holdino out his hand, 
 s!i caught it, and, while the tears were perceptibly swell 
 ing in her eyes, she bade him welcome, adding 
 
 Ah! sir, indeed \e pit m- 1 iu min o ;iuid limes, ye hae 
 sae muckle o the braw looks </ your fadier. l.-Uud I urn, 
 truly. 1o hae yen frae the place unYr iav roof. In thir 
 wild woods, I ne er expected to be sae christianlike on this 
 side o the. i Ta^e. I kenned your father weel in Mauulir\- 
 srowan ve hae muckie o his looks! But come in we 
 maun i^et something reach" to inak ye comfortable for ve 
 maun hae had a hard time o t ihrouuh the wood*. I wou- 
 ner in the wido warl hoo so could guide A oursel umauif 
 
 Sl;.> had by tliis time led Charles to the door of a decent 
 but small apartment, in which the funiiuin 1 . although it was 
 rouyh, wan convenient, and rxtremdv clean in iis appear 
 ance, it had been, as ihe ^rvater Dovnon of the i urnilure 
 in ill! house was, of i addv l ra_/.icr s workmanship, whose 
 industry, when he would be industrious, inclined more to 
 rs of i!\h kind, than to cultivating 1 the soil, j; was 
 wei! for the respectability, at least in point of appearance.. 
 of (Jilheri s hour-vhold concerns, tliat .! J :uldy did po:-s; ss 
 inyenuilv of th; : for lie himself i)osse?.rr: d little or 
 
 lion!.-, and as to \ivhv, he \vas totally destitute of any iliin^ 
 like ii. Yv e may here mention, that i addv hail procured 
 tools and other necessaries for maiviii^ furaiture, Irom sev- 
 
 id, in consequence. 
 IVeiju S. V;ibl; S. 
 
 . i he} \vi con\ ci: . . ti;; 1 
 
 i!e habitation i . 
 
 rs, doors, p; 1 nitions, 
 
 ii 
 
 in Shi 1 \\ hole, ( iiibe -i - n .id 
 
 r, iike 
 :its !or
 
 id TIIK \vii.M:r 
 
 enjoying the luxurious atmosphere of a snnimer s e,vcmn<r. 
 i lic ran door v,-;:s in ho centre -if . from 
 
 whence an (Mitry or hp J. nf about five feel wide, extended 
 throuirh the house, lending on- of the back de, ir into :i 
 secondarv or in ! 
 
 Inched to the other which served for ;\ kitchen. The st; Lrs 
 or nither step?, for thev \vcrf noiliin. : hnt :i /;,.-)(/ / s 
 ladder, boarded 
 
 MI try. f5o !i floors, consi o! nenrU 
 
 si/e and oonstruction, bu! nol x v. l! furnished; (hi- 
 
 one - into v\ !)ic!i ( liar! Al r- 
 
 Fra/i M- ie 
 
 i nt this rooin wonl . in Ch-M.-le.^ 
 
 it h ( - 
 
 apartm ii ter 
 
 savins 
 
 beantifii] bcin<r wliose e! 
 
 ted, so siroivj l\- riveted !i : alien d h:ni 
 
 . 
 i. and conjectured . n r ra/iiM*. 
 
 him ; 
 
 \ , v.-ho had !>e(Mi in 
 another apartment, : e \va* intrn- 
 
 of the forcsf; rec- i , \,T 
 
 :i.nd e- 
 
 
 jH <,ac. . 
 
 iinprovi 1 
 
 do ho same, \vlir-;; 
 
 nlie declini io\vever, *>e e-np]/osed iliat shi 1 
 
 i] ; ;i f- o :Vr;n.i a:v". r.^ er-:;: : :-;; ofliMmili v, miK-i": )- - : iVom a;v. 
 .i^wiHiiv.fijf^s ! r- liov," ih:- 1 Ftrnng-er ; prfr>rr jr 1 "-. :_ 
 p Cl. /u ihicr \AHS ^hn qni- 1 indifiVretir ^s to i^c eiu-ct of 
 h"r ;;rpparancf! unon him ; Jin" 1 , i: mns! !" c^-ue>scd. that 
 he-V)"^ she decided :"-:i.ins< fhnn^inir her nppnvel, f?h(? had
 
 aken a slv stolen irlance or i\vo at rt mirror, (for Gilbert 
 had been supplied by the river traders with several of these 
 articles.) which hunt! coir, enientl v tor such a purpose, upon 
 ihe \< ooden Avail of tin: apartment. The result of ihis ex 
 amining L ! ai!ce was. that she should be content Avith her 
 it condition; for, although she was no! jraudily, she 
 was lieaily apparelled, aiid liavii 1 .^ no tlesire to particularly 
 Iract ihe sir; did not think if neeessary stu- 
 
 \ to adorn lu r person. 
 
 \\ hen she lir^t saw Charles Adder! v. liowevrr, a feeling 
 
 of an undeiinahle nature, such as she had inner h: fore, ex- 
 
 perienced, seized upon liei- miiid, \\ineh eaussnl her. in a 
 
 :\in d: u reo. to rej: n! her i ot ha\ ino- followed Nancy s 
 
 ;: and wlie-n this feelhiir f ;isidera.hly iieiu ht- 
 
 hy his name .-uu ^csun^ io lier, that this niusl he the 
 
 same intcrcstiiiij youth who had heen so lately rescued troni 
 
 the cru 1 vengeance of th s ov her revc-reil Tonna- 
 
 Icuka, site, in spit. 1 of hei-.--"it , feii uni i sy :i id embarassed, 
 
 iViim the idea tlii i: had er to ha\ c m.:de 
 
 i tic reception she 
 him. therefore, A little constrained, 
 
 and limid. a,nd her manner AVIIS rendered the more, emha: 1 - 
 
 i her dis: i \vi:h it. 
 
 r\ the ot!:pr hamh N; jjared for the occasion, 
 
 \viih ail iii r rnr: cd him Avith an 
 
 ly, and ^ ; soniCAvhat ot 
 
 >. \vhich Charles would have iel rather disagree- 
 
 nd unljccoininir, hul for tin 1 aj)paren1 candor and inno- 
 
 d. In .-hort, the 
 
 manners ot 1 . comparatively speaking, 
 
 \ ihe IMI- 
 
 
 :md enliirlitened Maria e\hihhed .he h-:,-hfid- 
 
 
 nnnesiialino-ly 
 
 the : ner of liis n < by Al.i ria. 
 
 !n In r he Cither sa\\ , or iancied he sa\\ , the ellecls ;;! art 
 less nature, irennnie inodesiy, and refined sensibility; and 
 those he preferred infinitely to any cllnri it cultured maix-
 
 iier. or disciplined n in \<,< 
 
 \vnrle feed in oli 
 
 she (In he had 
 
 e,r belie v ( . e, fell iniiniieU -h M 
 
 f>f the en" rins of her i 
 
 1 
 
 : . III! ; , 
 
 ! iioui 
 
 111. i ir \ 
 
 . Ml! i, 
 (ill -e< 
 
 " Thir h 
 
 u lie. placing siDiuo 
 !). \vilh(1n > \\" !>! i!it |- . 
 s l cffiUiiiiv - oi n iiioi 
 
 -- i liir Lv . 
 
 l-.i-n. !KK: boon broiifhl uj 
 :;if ii man i I 
 
 ; \viiiic us 
 
 ouKl . 
 
 ll. .\^h ! I k( I;:;; (1 \";:; : ; i;i ; S} nc 
 
 tli< re was :::: (\ brisker iui ! 
 parish. ] hope lie : ;t, air svcar: \vcel. " 
 
 Charlc-s assured hiai ill, t he ^v;;s siill hcalthv, :md very 
 little altered r.\ ii:-; appearance since lie first kue\r him. 
 
 (Had o l. sir," replied (iiiherl; [ Avad i: ie 
 
 ihe best hurse ere put leir in rnv stable, io hac A 
 hi? auld 3iand, just 1 or the sal iv oor 
 
 i an unco 
 
 .the ( !L ; ppeway*. J5ut 
 
 i can in; ; !:-(> can 
 
 ];( >r s a A v ,"i mil thai." 
 
 C h.arles no\v iiitbrineti it was lv Tonnaletika s 
 
 directions thai he had olfiruded himself upon his hospi 
 
 " (.)l)trudi;. sir!" interruj)ti-d Gilbert, "oblrude! I m uo 
 v niuckle learned, sir, but 1 think that A\ ord means romin
 
 d v\ ii;n ven s no .\veeleom . [Son, sir, inn ve were 11:1 as 
 our here as in Nil :; rr, her s, parlor, this house siiouldiri 
 !>eion<_> lo ( i liberi i 
 
 i am - your kindness," observed Charles; 
 
 and to tell YOU the iruii . i in reality lee! happier just 
 jio\v under \i>ur roo! than ever i remember to Ji;i\i . I eli 
 under m fatln . or ! !: il ol ;in\ otlicr )cr>on 
 
 " r l h;i!ik ve, sir, .I m yhd o i aiid L \vis!i hoo laivf ye 
 nriv hide \vi us. ; aiisvrci \ . \ e 1! i\<> ihiiik o 
 
 a ;niL; ini. !i:!!iu? th . snths, al on\ rate. Til; 1 winter s 
 
 sac ii<;ar !i;i ;i\ il wadna ilc. 
 
 Charles replied, that ; . :, .. ..| lo;i ].i 
 
 earn or -- i nd speedv intelliironce oi !u-< laie disasters K; 
 
 to ihe me isuros he 
 
 shi.iiiii adopt i ";, he had thuiijj lHsi oi 
 
 heiii^- i 1 ; ilic advice oi Toiiiialeuka, 
 
 on \vhi lature o 
 
 ihe < nlor ami i riendshi p 
 
 in; iiimsci I , he had ev 
 
 " i e ;-. : : ! : . iii\ I ri ;) . :!!! re wise 
 
 loo in thai. Tonnaleu his eonn- 
 
 lr\ , ai i ry ither eountry in die \\ ; \-\\ 
 
 lee\ j!i . I ll no exi :\ e\v- 
 
 I mi. i i,-- I \ ^iisliman, M ha the\ sa\ i-- llic . greatest ph iloso- 
 (iher, an was e\ ei 
 
 known. \ e \vad \voinier, sir. to !: ine- 
 
 iiiin . , iiickle kno\\ 
 
 ii d _ <, that, naiu o : alien con ip re hen 
 
 liieie, lh:;l 
 
 linn . . : 
 
 \\ :ni rather ih. ii m\ h , ard ; : ; <; co/n i ii;r, ! r 
 
 i rstan siich ihiiio-s sae u eel as \ on do. Thai uia 
 
 , I maun I e 1 1 on \ n , 1 1 e " e i 
 \\ i 
 
 her." 
 
 i . . i . . i ia. \\ ho ] 1 thai i\ anc felt 
 
 
 
 UiijiiM a eoinpai e- il ii.-.. < 
 
 thin;. - jiidiiled niM -ii !i\ Tnnirdiuk. iidions. Am
 
 ;i: .it iii\ ;-(!; . considering- th 1 remote and secluded situation 
 in which I :n:i doomed lo pass my life, the jrra ilVinir my 
 
 en r;ithcr disad\ antag"eon* 
 
 iliini otherwise; ii mav have occupied that time which 
 would liavi iyed with more advantage 10 bod> 
 
 i;d myself in persona! labor." 
 
 " Personal labor, my bairn ! AVhy think ye, that gin ye 
 mod ihe al]>hahet, tha; 1 wad 
 
 hac 1 lei yon work In ihc cornfields or meadows, or in grnb- 
 bin:<" roots, or makin rails . .>, a. na, faith . 1 svad hae 
 done a ihir things on my knees first. [3u! hae na \"e been 
 aye busy. .Maria : Y\~hv Aeily has ai ien said that ye hae 
 doon mair sewin , an spinin , an knitt"i-i in yen v/eek than 
 Nancy, wi a her : to learnin , iias doiu 1 in a 
 
 month." 
 
 My dear father," said Maria, seeinir t nat Tvancy was 
 extremely linrl at tiiis invidions comparison, "do no; lu- so 
 
 . towards i:i\ sister. I cannot bear to be complim 
 so mncii a! li;-r expens; 1 . ^iie is iar from Jieini: so ioftioranl 
 : and Tonnalenka, whose jncUnnent von 
 will no; dispute, \\\\> lony lo tiie ^oodn(\ss 
 
 of her heart, and the amiability of her disposition. As lo 
 industry, does she ti m ilirico the 1 labor that i dn iji 
 
 d;;irv matters, and in concerns . I Yom M ltich of 
 
 us does our motlier he greatest assistance in the 
 
 aiion of your food . \ es. t:i 
 
 (her. she has often, when she supposed I was ion busih, 
 employed in these i their per 
 
 fbrmance to her. lest I s;;o:i!d fa.tisi ue myself . 1 rnnno! 
 bear iiiat so much kindness should no! receive justice. 
 
 Here Xancy, whose feelings were more touched -. \\\ h* : 
 oislcr s i T-nerous defence than they had been wiih her ta 
 tiler s accusation, caninu !ier b\ the hand, for she sal next 
 to In-r.j and with a he; ist o! yn i 
 
 tndc? as oi vexation, said 
 
 [ nuisi fonii-ss thai m\ ! peaks truth: K.-r von 
 
 h;i. obiained far more 1 bench! than 1 ever conld irom J on- 
 naieuka s lesr-on.-. And as to heavy working, yon are al 
 ways as willing" as I ;im. bni as yon nre no; so sn onu". \o!i 
 are more easily fatigued, and on thai account i do no; like
 
 ."HE WILDERNESS- 101 
 
 o ?ee you much at it. You are better and more usefully 
 "mployed at quilting, and darning-, and figuring, and knit- 
 iiiii. and such things that keep the house trig- and comfort 
 able, than I could be, for I couldna like you confine myself 
 closely at them, as they sometimes require." 
 
 Here Gilbert, pleased with this generosity of Nancy, as 
 if !iis heart mis<ra\e him for having 1 said any thing to hurt 
 her feelings, arose, and catching both her and Maria by the 
 hand, said 
 
 " Ye are baith mv bairns gudc lasses to yere father, an 
 
 ^ o ^ 
 
 I hae na fau t to find wi ye. I ditina prefer the tane to 
 lie tither ; I like ye baith alike, an I m muckle pleased 
 that ye hae aye liked yen anither sae weel. Indeed ye hae 
 aye been a comfort to baith me an yere mi the r in this wild 
 wilderness. Withoot ye, I think we wad hae brak oor 
 hearts. But Clod has jrien ye to us, an ye hae made the 
 desert smile on us. An oh ! may he lang 1 preserve ye to 
 us, my bairns, baith gudc, an innocent, an contented, as ye 
 1100 arc." 
 
 So sa\ inir, ho kissed them both upon the cheek, and 
 uniinjr to Charles, asked him if he would walk out with 
 iiim upon the porch for a lew minutes, until supper should 
 :>e ready. Charles readily assented, for he perceived that 
 ;he old man wished to relieve his daughters of their pres 
 ence, in order that Nancy might the sooner recover her 
 -oreiiitv and cheerfulness. 
 
 10
 
 Around the bowl of vanished yours, 
 
 \Vc talk of jovoi:s s<>< ;niiiir; 
 And smiles that mijjht ns well be tears, 
 
 So soft, so s;u! s iheir lio.iniin^ : 
 J ili memory brings us buck a^ain, 
 
 K;ich early tie that twined us, 
 ifo\<. sweet s the cup tliat circles then. 
 
 To those we ve Icit behind us ! 
 
 MOORE. 
 
 As Nancy s mind \vas not the most susceptible in the 
 world ol lasting impressions, especially of a disagreeable 
 kind, a short time was sufficient to restore her usual viva 
 city and good humor; and as both she and Maria non- 
 assisted their mother, supper was soon got forward, and- 
 Charles and his host were without delay summoned from 
 their perambulation on the porch. 
 
 When Charles saw the plentiful, and e\en luxurious 
 table that was spread before him, and the good-hearted and 
 contented familv, whose own industry, under ihe blessiuo 
 ol Providence, had thus procured it for them in a \vildcr- 
 ni ss, sitting down to partake of it, his hearl was lilli d with 
 sensations of pride lor his species, arising IVoin this pi-ouf 
 belore his eves of what their own ctlbrts, if properlv di 
 rected, can do to supply their wants, and m;ike them hapiu 
 in this world, under even the most unpromising circum 
 stances. AY hat a con .rast, thought he, is wliat i now be 
 hold, to that scene of savage wrath and \eneiu! ieeli!! ^.- to 
 which i was yesterday so neai lv l)ccoming the victim ! 
 
 Impressed with these ideas, his heart was in a lit state in 
 join fervently and thankfullv in that simple hut sincere ad 
 dress to the (liver of all n ood, which (lilbcrl, who ever 
 since he had been cut oil from all opportunity of enjo\ ina 
 public wosrship. had been careful always to pronounce, not 
 in set words, but in the spontaneous expressions dictated 
 by his feelino-sat the moment, before partaking of the bounty
 
 ! his Maker. Sometimes, this address, being the oiik 
 ies of religious worship strietlv attended to by Gilbert, 
 was extended through the duration of several minutes. On 
 the present occasion, it was not so long, hut it was still 
 longer tlrin any fashionable clergyman would e ver think 
 of making a grace. As it was, notwithstanding its illiterate 
 and (inharmonious phraseology at the time, highly gratifying 
 to Charles Adderly, I presume it will not he unacceptable to 
 the reader, and shall, therefore, submit it to hi.-; perusal, as 
 follows : 
 
 ( real Cod! oor Maker, an the maker o a things whilk 
 are in the heavens or on the yearth, an the ruler o haith the 
 city an the desert! thou ha:-t gien us these gudo things oot 
 o" th(! boiintifu stores o thy providence, that we may nour 
 ish ooisels \vi them. Albeit we are na worthy o the 
 sma esi morsel o thv favor, an could na mak the grun 
 produce a single ear o corn, or a koo bring forth a single 
 call without thy ordering ! Yet thou hast gien us plenty o 1 
 baith, an mair nor that, thou hast gi en us this e cning, 
 un er oor roof, what we hac na had for near-ban thirty 
 year, a vi.-itor, an Irishman s son, o oor ain kind, frae 
 Maughryi r o\van. Oh! bless him, an bless us a , so that 
 we mav be nourished by this temporal food, an also, or a 
 be o\vre, wi the spiritual food o grace an glory in heaven. 
 Hut thou kens better what tits us than we do oorsels. We 
 therefore lippon every thing to- thy mercy, whilk we ear 
 nestly pray fur, through Christ our Redeemer. Amen." 
 
 Many a more splendid supper than Oilbert Fra/.ier, the 
 only cultivator of the ground, at this time-within, perhaps, a 
 hundred miles of him. could afford, has been more splendid 
 ly described than I could describe it. No entertainment 
 could, therefore, be expected from a middling description of 
 what, at the table of a great man, would scarcely be ac 
 counted a middling supper. I will, therefore, be excused 
 from not. entering into tedious particulars concerning it. I 
 shall merely state, that at the one end of the table, (the end 
 where, our hero himself was stationed, 1 was placed an ele- 
 if:uit roast joint of the fatted calf which Archy had speedily 
 sacrificed for this joyful occasion. I y special request, 
 Ch-irle-; had undertaken in carve .ind distribute this- \vhii-h
 
 104 THL 
 
 I can assure any gay lady or gentleman, who wishes lo be 
 informed on the subject, he did with exceeding good grace 
 and gentility. IVlrs. Fnizier and her son Arch) had each 
 under their jurisdiction a large barn-door fowl, elegantly and 
 sumptuously stuffed with the most sapid and agreeable in 
 gredients the good hostess could command : the very smell 
 of which when opened out would, in lesr-> than a quarter of 
 an hour after a full meal, have restored to original vigor and 
 voracity, the appetite of any hundred thousand pound alder 
 man in existence. Gilbert himself had charge of a large 
 dish of excellent potatoes, which although he said they were 
 as gude as he ever could raise heie, yet were naelhing like 
 the rich, laughing, mellow, an nieally jeanar hies he used to 
 raise in Maughrygowan. Still \vi a their fau ts, they were 
 aye a favorite dish wi baith him an Kelly. 
 
 \Vheii a reasonable havoc was made among these sub- 
 stantials, JMaria and Nancy distributed to the company and 
 to themselves, dainty and enticing slices of apple pies, cus 
 tards, or egg puddings, just as the appetite of each desired. 
 After the disappearance of these, Gilbert returned thanks, 
 and the cloth being removed, (for, dear reader, Mrs. Frazier 
 had several table cloths,) he produced from a cupboard, 
 which was in one corner of the room, a bottle of brandy, 
 and soon the fragrant and inspiring vapors of the punch- 
 pitcher curled swately and irately, as Peter M Fall would 
 have said, over the table, which was now lit with a flaming 
 candle of Gilbert s own manufacture. 
 
 On this occasion the social bowl did not frighten away 
 the ladies, as it mostly doea within the circles of ultra civili 
 zation and high refinement. But in Gilbert Frazier s house 
 the superb customs of the Jiaiit ton were unknown, or rather 
 uncared for; and as no excess from spirituous liquors was 
 feared by the ladies, for neither Gilbert nor Archy were 
 drunkards, and they had no reason to suppose Charles Ad- 
 derly one, they conceived that they could spend the evening 
 as comfortably and as creditably in their society as any 
 where else. Nay, they did not disdain, for the sake o! 
 complaisance and good humor, to use a moderate portion of 
 the exhilarating fluid themselves, and to pledge in its social 
 izing draught their good wishes for their visitor s health and
 
 i UK u n.m:KNK>- . 1 IK) 
 
 prosperity. Hut the decree of their complaisance, I can as- 
 
 the world of sobriety, was both as moderate and modest 
 
 - the most riii id could wish, :inil extended no fart ier than 
 
 moM precise-mannered and delicately-nerved lady in 
 Cnristendom miti ht have carried it, without risk to either 
 h T reputation or her morals. 
 
 .Neither did the gentlemen indulge too heartily in the use 
 oi the fascinating liquor. They only drank as much an 
 leaded to dispel vapors and enliven conversation, thereby 
 
 owiiiif themselves to he real men, who>e strength of reso 
 lution enabled them to stop at any assigned point in the 
 path of enjoyment. But we must confess that, although 
 
 idies only tasted a little for the sake of complaisance, 
 ; t the "vntlomen used a sufficiency of the cordial fluid to 
 lender their situation comfortable?, and their conversation 
 free. It wa-; now that (lilhert communicated to Charles 
 ihe hisUH v of his life, from his leaving his native country 
 iill the present time, excepting that passage. \vhich related to 
 Uaria ;- birth, lie explained, at the same time, in his own 
 icly language, the feelings that the passing events had 
 xcited in his mind. In return. Charles detailed to him the 
 istory of i!ie expedition that he had lately commanded, its 
 .p.foriunate rc.-p.lt, and his own adventures with, and provi 
 dential de liverance from the Indians. Maria listened to his 
 recital with great interest, and seemed to be particularly 
 iffected with his hiur-breadih escape. She hung upon his 
 -torv with fervid and enthusiastic intensity, and when he 
 i;.d I lii-hci! she could not help exclaiming 
 
 * i iappv, happy Tonnaleuka, who has had it in his power 
 ;o do so much i/uod ! 
 
 "Heaven bless ye, my bairn," said (Gilbert, "for that 
 L r ude-heartei! savin Oh! Mr. Adderly ! <jin Tonnaleuka 
 
 oidd only teach the Indians humanity te) their prisoners, I 
 hmk he wad be amaist as jfreat an usefu a man as Moses, 
 wh.t tauch tii" .lews the sixth commandment, "Thou shall 
 not kill!" (Jin the savages only knew tint commandment, 
 md leiared to break if, I m thiiikm I miclit soon hae white 
 neighbors plenty roon m;-, and may be some Irish families 
 an its no likely that .Nejlv an" I wad then break oor 
 , ieirN sue muckle about Maufrhryijowai]
 
 100 VHi: wiLni-: 
 
 Alack ." cried Nelly, "bonny Manghrygowan will ne er 
 be oot o my head gin a the Irish in America were to settle 
 beside us. Its bonny preen meadows, an its hawthorn 
 hedges, wi their sweet smelling blossoms, an its saft dim- 
 plin burns, wi the yellow primroses an speckled daisies 
 on their 1 anks, an the sweet pretty larks an the thrushes 
 an the lads an the lasses, an the sports of a simmer even 
 ing, an the jokes an mirth o a lang winter s nicht- ah ! i 
 cannot think o them without a sair heart for for I ll ne er 
 see them again !" 
 
 Here Nelly s heart filled, and she was wiping away a tear 
 that annoyed her, when Gilbert addressed liei 
 
 " Dinna fret dinna fret, Nelly, at. misfortunes. It miclu 
 hae been waur wi us. God didna forsake us a tegither. 
 We are aye leevin examples o his gudeness. an hae cor 
 weans aboot us. We hae mony comforts, Nelly, gin we 
 should ne er see Ireland again. Dinna think o t noo it 
 maks }e greeve owre muekle." 
 
 Ah ! ye may bid me no grieve, gin ye like," replied 
 Nelly "but dinna Gilbert, dinna bid me no think o t, for 1 
 canna obey ye in that. I maun aye think o t, though my 
 heart should bleed for t though it should break for t, a? it s 
 sometimes like to do. It would noo please me, Gilbert, to 
 hear Maria sing the sang she learned frae ye. an \\ hich ye re 
 sae fond to hear yeresel, that was made by Tarn Beggs, om 
 neighboor on the Juniata, whom the savages burned on that 
 awfu day at Catanyan. He made it on leavin Larne, aif 
 I ne r hear it but it does my heart gude, its sae melancholy, 
 an it shows that there were ither folk that grieved for ither 
 places as muckle as I do for Maughrygowan. An Marin 
 aye sings it so sweetly, that it makes my heart baith pleased 
 and sorrow fu . Ah! it s a warm-hearted, comforting sang?" 
 
 " Weel, Nelly," observed Gilbert, "if it will comfort \c- 
 ony thing, an Mr. Adderly has nae objection, I m sure 
 Maria will please ye. That sang aye pleases me, though i?. 
 aye mak s me mournfu ." 
 
 Charles signified his desire to hear the song, and Maria,, 
 knowing that it would yield satisfaction to both her father 
 and mother, required no further solicitation, but sang as fol 
 lows, with a voice, every tone of which thrilled through
 
 I HI! WI1.DKRM>S. 
 
 Charles s heart, and awakened all his feel inns of sympathy , 
 
 teiu.erness. and admiration: 
 
 Oft ;is I think on other days, 
 
 When with ;i blithe lii;lit heart I rov d, 
 Those haunts which loveix Larne surveys, 
 Where first 1 felt, am! first 1 lov d ; 
 \\ hat sorrows pierce my bosom * core, 
 Since I must s ^rli. 
 F.irou ell to jov ! 
 Ah lovely I.ar/ie mus! I ne er pee, ne er sen thre mor 
 
 By Cumin s shore I often strav il, 
 
 Anil scenes of purest rapture knew, 
 When there I met the sweetest maid 
 
 That e\er blest a Inker s view; 
 
 J ut all ! those joyful scenes aro o er, 
 
 .lllil 1 HIM:.! si jil. 
 
 Farewell to joy ! 
 Ah ! lovely Lame ! must I ne er see. ne er see thee mrvv 
 
 Ky Invfr s hnnks, so green an<l L av, 
 1 jii.n d each iittle v, a rbler s son^. 
 Ami tuned to love the blithesome lav, 
 The fraixraiil liawlhorji shades aiming. 
 Fate ne er can scenes liU( these restore, 
 I cir 1 iiiu:-t sigh, 
 . are-,\ e l to jo\ ! 
 \h lovoiv Larne ! must I ne er see. ne er ee thee m,,i.- . 
 
 Oh ! mem iy, cease it irives me pain 
 
 Such reco!l(>ftioi;s dear to wake; 
 Vet I u ill think them o er a<_ ain, 
 
 Although my torlnr d heart should bieak. 
 N es. still I ll think, and still deplore, 
 How 1 must si<:h, 
 Kai -e\\ ell to jov ! 
 All ! lovel\ Larne ! must I ne er see, ne er see thee more ? 
 
 \\ lion IMaria liad done .sinking, so (hep was tho impres 
 sion \vhich her melodious voice and allecting manner liad 
 made upon her auditors, tint they all, lor a minute or two, 
 snt silent, as if lor the purpose of prolonging that luxury o! 
 sorrow which she had thus so strongly excited in their bo 
 soms. At length .\ elly, \\ hose feelings had become so acute 
 as evidently to require relief from weeping, retired, that she 
 mio ht indulge her jjrif I the more privately. Her daughters
 
 i OS 1 HK U II.DKIi.NK^-i. 
 
 M ithdrew also, and as Charles arose. ID hid them good-night, 
 
 ; wa - irresistibly impelled to say to Maria, " l h is has been 
 
 my happiest ni<rht 1 shall never, never forget it ! ilt: thru 
 
 nself as it lie felt that he had taken too much 
 
 freedom, and resumed his seat considerably embarrassed, 
 with hi.- eves fixed Meadilv upon the door through which 
 she had passed, as if still beholding the love.lv intake that 
 had there left them. 
 
 meditations \vere soon interrupted by (Jilhert ex- 
 " Poor T;:m l r ! ^:j~! his story was a moiimfn 
 Uut "Tievin s a follv. an we maun e en just tak the 
 as it comes the sw^et wi the Poor. [ venee ran 
 M the i-auntlet wi the, savages mvsei . That was na 
 sure, sac bad as hein<r burn;. Uut there s ua jnde in 
 complainin what s gane past is lifme, an eanna !>e Ixdp t. 
 We ll e f^i. Mr. Idderly, talk o soiiiethiny else, an no 
 f orment oorsel s this way wf sorrow. He !;ae :ia seen my 
 -.1:1 I aM.-iv yet. 1 christened him for oor auld Irish saini 
 he s a throujrh-iraun chap winna niin the farm, an .- :\wee 
 o\vre fand o" tlir. drap bv times. "> o hae na seen him yet, 
 Mr. Addcrly ?" 
 
 \o." replied Charlps, who had by this time thrown oli 
 his reverie, "no but 1 have understood that you had a son 
 :>! that name. 
 
 " Ay, bnl lie s a quite different chap frae Arehy. lie s a 
 -mart fellow, sir. an i wee eral iv in his disposition, thai is, 
 when he s dealin \\ p i the Indians. I m no p!ea-ed at it. lor 
 1 diuna like them cunnino tricks, it s so much like eheatery. 
 Thonu h Faddy winna cheat either, I ll no say that o him 
 but he ll no :ne the Julians fair play an he can help it. ile 
 palms on them shells, an beads, an brass rinirs, an ither 
 th.iiil.rs.no \vorlh a bntton. for whilk they sometimes oie 
 !ii:n !i:de back-burdens o skins o 1 musk-rat, an beaver, an 
 buffalo, that he sells to the traders comin doou the river for 
 fifty times as muckle as they cost him. I canna think it 
 a tPgither fair foriiye. 1 canna sec the glide o him tradin 
 this way. I m sure that a the skins an trumpery he has 
 gathered te<jither this six year past, wonldna cret us a com- 
 fortahle dinner in thir woods, I kenna. what they re cfiulo 
 for here, but to look it
 
 TIIK Wl LDF.HNESs. 109 
 
 Father," observed Arcliy, \vlio had just come in from 
 disposing of the cattle for the night, as Gilbert commenced 
 I his complimentary picture of Paddy s character and em 
 ployment, "father. I maun say yon speak owre hard o 
 Paddy. lie disna cheat the Indians half so muckle as some 
 o the ither traders. They aye say he deals lair, though lie 
 inaks hard barirains ; but the men that come doon the river 
 often cheat them ootricht. The jjentleman mamma think 
 Paddy sae bad a<? ye ca him. " 
 
 "1 liae na ca d him a downricht cheat, Archy; I canna 
 think that badly o him; but I think it wad be a mair hon 
 est employment, forbye being mair usefu , to stick by the 
 Ian , an help us to raise something that we can eat an 
 wear; for, atweel. I can see nae glide in%hem wild beast s 
 -kins, an bits o olass, an" auld brass rings that he s so land 
 o . They can neither be made into cakes nor puddiir, 
 Archy: air as to wearin them troth, a coal o the coarsest 
 sacking that was ever made into a beggar-man s poke, wad 
 be mair comfortable. 
 
 " I perceive, said Charles, " that it is not with your ap 
 probation that your sou has devoted himself to traffic rather 
 ban agriculture. ]>ut you seem to get on with the latter 
 tolerably well without him; and, perhaps, the furs you 
 -peak of his having amas.-ed, may yet turn out much to his 
 benefit. They are very valuable in ihe eastern cities. As 
 lo his obtaining them lor article.- of such little real value, if 
 the Indians attach an imaginary importance to these articles, 
 they have a ri<rht to please themselves, as much ab the white 
 people have to attach a value lo gold and silver, \\hi -h are 
 in themselves as intrinsically useless for eithei sustenance or 
 apparel, as any of the trinkets you mention. \our >on 
 cannot he said, at least in the common mcanint: of the 
 word, to cheat the Indians, when lie makes them such a re 
 turn for their imods as renders them content to part with 
 iheni." 
 
 It may be sae," replied ( ! ilbert, " I dinna dive sae deeply 
 mto silch arguments as lo ken a ahoot them ; but I aye 
 think that Paddy wad hae mair ease o min , an lieve hap 
 pier, helpin us here on the farm, than in riniiin after the 
 tail.> o the savages to spy failles, or to catch a chance o a
 
 bargain. Forb 
 or ither la in \v 
 liim-c i ." 
 
 "For aught i know," oh.- rved Charles, " there may be 
 some danger in thai icspec;, especially -as he never sees any 
 other females except those of his own family. A trip to the 
 eastward might remove this danger." 
 
 - I hae a(:cn thonn ht sae," returned (-Jilberi: "an" some- 
 Limes \vhan L think o my twa boys. 1 canna help comparin" 
 Miv-aT Io auld ls;\ac. \vi his flsaii an his Jacob. The auld- 
 e.-l is th : F,saii, Mi ihe voun;>;es! is ihe .laco!) ; the \ CM willn 
 a 1 .; stubborn, an :he ither obedieni an gude-nalured ; an wi 
 respect to baiih, I aften feel as if I could apph (o my-el the 
 words of Rebecca: [ am weary of mv life because of i ! :; p 
 daughters of fleth ; if Jacob lake a wife of the daughters of 
 Ileth. such as the.-o which are. the daughters of the Ian . 
 what irood shall my life do me . 
 
 "An what wad ye hae veil to do," said Archv, who ie t 
 himself interested in the cause of his father s uneasiness. 
 " \\ hat wad ye hae yen to do, whar there are na ither 
 women to be had. Ye wad na surely a -de yen to lee\e a 
 ins days ivithoot a Wife ?" 
 
 " it s a hard matter, 1 acknowledge," said his father; "an" 
 gin I could spare ye, Archy, I wad send ye, wi my blessing, 
 owre ihe mountains eastward, as Isaac did Jacob, to get a 
 wile ainang the daughters o yere ain kind." 
 
 "But wad it no he mi si thimr to impossible," said 
 Archy, "to coax ony o them white lasses at the ither side 
 o the mountains, to come hack here to lieve in thir savage 
 woods ? An ye ken, father, ye wad na be pleased gin 1 
 staid awa frae ye a tes ither. Trouth.I canna tell weel hoo 
 ye could work the Ian , and mind things ri:;ht withoot me, 
 noo when ye re getting auld, an hae sae muckle niair clear 
 ed than ye had no mony years a^ o. 1 think, Mr. Adderly," 
 said lie, turning to Charles, " thai it wad be better for the 
 auld man that I should bide wi him, an gin 1 should lak a 
 fancy to marry, to iak a squaw, than gang twa or three hun 
 dred miles owre the Allegheny mountains, for a wife, or else 
 ha nane ava. Want, ya ken, is an unco bare word, sir." 
 
 Charles acknowledged thai th 1 dilemma was rather ol a
 
 jurplcxino nature 1 . All ho conic! counsel him to, was to 
 ta\ uith his lather, and have: patience; as fortune, by sonic 
 unforeseen occurrence, might throw a white woman in his 
 ivay : in which cane, if he were too hastily to unite himself 
 with a squaw, lie might feel inclined to regret his precipi- 
 lancy. 
 
 "(_)h! sir," said Archy, "I m na just vet sae madrife for 
 a wife as that comes to. I m no just gaun to marry the first 
 Indian woman I meet wi . I m thinking that I ll ;,ne fortune 
 the opportunity o half a dozen years yet to bring me a white 
 wife; after that, I think the auld man canna say rnuckle \n 
 1 should bring a red daughter-in-law hen the hoosetohim." 
 
 "Guid forbid! Guid forbid! ye should do sae, Archy!" 
 exclaimed Gilbert, shaking his hand, "Hut we ll no talk mair 
 ahoot it noo. Gin ye only keep your word, an pie us six 
 ve.trs to come an no on, I doot na but Providence will con 
 sider your case, and provide some yen for you that we rnav 
 a like, before that time. Mut as to Paddy, I dinna ken hut 
 it wad lie wiser in me. " 
 
 Here Gilbert was interrupted by the door opening without, 
 ceremony, and Paddy hin self entered, and Gilbert, in a kind 
 of continuation of his discourse, addressed him: "An there- 
 ye are, my lad. We were just talking o ye, an I was tell- 
 inu this frien o mine. Paddy, ye maun ken that s a frien 
 o mine, a sin o mv auld acquaintance, Tharrias Adderly, the 
 young squ re, o .M -Hi^hrygown. Ye didna ken the squire- 
 Paddy, but your rnither kenned thorn a weel ; an sair grat 
 this vera nicht wi joy to see he sin o her aulu frien un er 
 her rooi in this wild wilderness." 
 
 Paddy had by this time approached Charles, and cordially 
 .-h.- ked him by the hand, expressing great pleasure to see him 
 here so far safe from the savages. 
 
 This younu man was rather below the middle si/e, and of 
 i slender, but very linn make-, indicating great agility and en 
 durance of fatigue, ralhcr than muscular strength. He was 
 not, however, deficient in the ialle.r respect, hi-- want of sufli 
 eient weight alone prcvrninig him from being remarkably 
 powerful. 1 1 is countenance was keen, smart and intelligent; 
 expre.-sive, however, of ingenuity rather than deep thought, 
 and of cunning rather than caution. He was slightly pock-
 
 112 unc WILDERNESS, 
 
 pitted, and so much sun-burnt as to be almost of that Indiau 
 hue which he sometimes affected, when he wished to flatter 
 the native tribe?. lie also often dressed in their fashion, and 
 on such occasions, as lie had learned several of their lan 
 guages, and spoke them fluently, he could not easily be dis 
 tinguished from any of his red brethren. He had been pre 
 sent, as a spectator, at the Chippeway council, which had so 
 nearly sacrificed Charles, in his Indian costume, on which 
 account, as his dress was now more of a Emopean than of 
 an Indian fashion, he was not recognised by Charles, who 
 had not, indeed, paid much attention on that occasion, to the 
 appearance of the individuals forming the mass of the assem 
 bly. He was at this time attired in a rudely formed white 
 flannel jacket, or rather long vest, with sleeves attached to 
 it, being put on in the manner of a shirt, with that part of 
 the front, usually permitted to open, tied with tapes. A pair 
 of long canvass drawers came up to his waist, round which, 
 outside of his vest or shirt, they were bound with leather 
 thongs, instead of buttons, and kept in their place by a broad 
 leathern strap carried over each shoulder in a crossing direc 
 tion, like modern suspenders. The common Indian gaiters, 
 and moccasins of half tanned deer skin, and a bear skin cap, 
 constituted the residue of his dress, which, from its light 
 ness and freedom from every kind of incumbrance upon his 
 motions, was well adapted to the exenti.se of that swiftness 
 and dexterity in scouring the woods, for which, habit, and 
 a healthy, sinewy, and buoyant frame, had rendered him 
 remarkable, even amon<r the wild sons of the forest. 
 
 When he first entered the room he had a musket in his 
 hand, and a long knife of the dagger form, tor bleeding any 
 animal he might shoot on his excursions, in a leathern 
 sheath at his left side, which sheath was suspended from a 
 belt that crossed his right shoulder. On perceiving Charles, 
 without paying any attention whatever to the address of 
 his father, before given, he hastily deposited his gun in a 
 corner of the room, and, with an air of recognition, saluted 
 him with the cordial expression of satisfaction for his safety, 
 we have mentioned, adding, at the same time, " But 1 am 
 sorry that you li.ive met with so rude and uncivil a recep 
 tion in our countrv. 5
 
 ! Hi. \\ ILUKKM>.-,, i l;i 
 
 11 In thai respect," rejiiied Charles, "it is a question 
 \heiher 1 oiiidit to complain or rejoice : for, since coming 
 o \our Wilderness, I have met with the extremes both oi 
 kindness and hatred happiness and misery." 
 
 Then you have me! with all that life can give you, since 
 \ on came amono us," observed I addv. " Hut i think you 
 have purchased your pleasure, whatever it mar have been, 
 dear, bv the suilcriiiffs you have paid for it." 
 
 Hut !. perhaps, enjoy it the more sensibly on that ac 
 count," returned (.-hnrles; "and I do not know if I can 
 ::Tud fe the personal hard-hips and trials 1 have sustained 
 from .lie Indians, since they have been the means of pro 
 curing me the happiness your father s house has this niii ht 
 afforded me." 
 
 " !i was but a sma" lhin:>; we could do to make you com- 
 brtable," s; id (Jdbert. "Could we do mair, T wad be glad 
 o t ; for the very sicht o ye, sae Christianlike, sac like 
 oorsel s, and o" oor ai.n kind, h.as made us a blither an* hap 
 pier nor we hae been for mony a year." 
 
 - Mr. Adderly," observed IV.ddy, "you have (rained one 
 :ri< nd by your misfortunes, for whom it was, indeed, worth 
 \\hile to endure something 1 mean Tonnalenka although, 
 I confess, 1 should be very loath to undergo what von did 
 even for such an acquisition." 
 
 To have acquired the esteem and friendship of thai 
 o-ood and wonderful man," replied Charles, might itself 
 ha\e been suilicienl remuneration for my suti erings ; bm 
 Providence has added to satisfaction others that" ^here 
 he checked himsell, and hesitlard lor a moment ; then con 
 tinued) thai providence has shown me in this house io- 
 niidi!, lha! virine can secure to herse|[ happiness, even in a 
 \\ ilderness, amidst savages; and henceforth I resolxe io 
 keep ill her paths, so far as 1 know them, in despite of all 
 iein p a lions io ibv coirrarv. Is no! the arriving at such a 
 wordi all ! have , n lur ! ." 
 
 I ha\ c no means o| , : ri:i : the benefits of 
 
 -aich a resolution \\rdi the evils you have undergone," e. : - 
 served I addv ; "lor I do no! undersaind the matter sul- 
 liciend\. Hut ihi-i I know, dial I yeslerdav saw \~ou in a 
 predicament. Io a" 1 out oi \\lueh I would have thought von 
 I I
 
 ilir. tt It! I 
 
 excusable, in committing an\ .-in. ai;ii<,U!ji! 1 contest! 
 
 better pleased r<> see you escape by a miracle; and I onlv 
 
 wish that in even scrape of llie kind \ ou ma\ jail into, you 
 
 mav be so fortunate. To be sure, you have watchful and 
 
 powerful fric.-iui in man i-an 
 
 vou i rom imiian violence, it is he. But he cannot do even 
 
 thina ; and, to be plain with vou. for it is oni i ; \ da; 
 
 that he desired me to be so, then 
 
 Jion into which you may yet fall, if vou be nol circun 
 
 Vour arch-e. iemv, Carrawoona, 
 
 vowed either to sacrifice himself or you, and i<. at th 
 
 sent time, ranging ;iie woods, like a wild and iufu 
 
 mal. in scorch oi you. 
 
 while, hou G\ er ; : i belie e that tie 
 
 prophet will manage ma 
 
 will take the wronii - direction in pursui 
 
 "Surely," observed Charles, i need not be under 
 apprehension from ilie hostility of a sin 
 relinquished their claim upu.i me, and he will scarcely 
 to desirov what it was their pleasure to spare." 
 
 lie has sworn your destruction," said Paddy, and l,i 
 tribe have abandoned any further concern in the busi 
 The contest is now between vou and him. and (iod u ra.n 
 the nu ii; side Lo be succc ssful, sav I. winch is a \vi--ii alto 
 gether at \ our SCIM ice/ 
 
 ,\ ith arms 1:1 nr-. hanii. aiivl a v/atciilul i 
 1 think." said Charles, if the com* si be onlv be:wer-n Inn 
 me, i f. He cannot be more terri 
 
 fi ht than his son." 
 
 lie is noi. perhaps. rrible," rejoined I 
 
 but he is more treacherous; and who knows bin li. 
 seduce some of the : 
 
 many oi them in this r >in his canst 1 . II 
 
 would ha\e had h:df ;: dozen al ier \ ou from Sliair 
 town, but tor the iimelv interference of Tonnaleuka, 
 represented to the warrmrs ili;;; \ on Averr uu(h-r the : 
 (ion ol the (Jreal Sj;;r!t. who had denonncrd vonvreaii 
 air.iiiist anv one who would harm you." 
 
 1 tear much," said Charles, "thai the prophrfs ^en. 
 roiis /eal in mv behal will excite tliis rancorou^ savnw
 
 i. i n ILDEKNESsi. ! 1 .1 
 
 Hi. which would in" tn the world n inucli <j-.-i 
 
 : - i . " . mid UT. e\ 
 
 I -vd- 
 
 i i 111::!!. 
 atain to ill 
 
 he Iii l"(l :\<j;\ insl hiin, and I 1 is name and 
 :>" , <; !:! i- 1 1! tho cneim 
 
 I . ity." 
 
 . i , ill i; r mi 
 * 
 
 "." said Paddv. \vlio had learned a mini 
 on;!]- Ironi liiei \vhite tra 1 : .- : lit- !iad so I re- 
 li ;ch, vvlicn he wish< d : 
 
 : :-p . 1 i: lirit, 
 
 iwooilii m \ sell, il he pur- 
 
 ; ; Lif liborhood, \\ h- ,-e i !;iio\\- ovcry loo! of 
 
 ninrnd times hc lter than either he or any 
 
 . . d li iiii (or iii.-f friendly iiiieni;ons, ol>sorv- 
 
 n . \\ ri: such [irotcctors as von MM! Tonnalonka, d<> 
 
 ii S;T \\h\ ! should Mpprchriid iinytfiinu t roni a sav.iffc, 
 
 in taken nna\varcs, or mi i >repa red. 
 
 e : i 1 1 ! i me 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 iry . " 
 
 i ;!(!d\- ! ye please me non." said (iillieri ; " 1 ayn ken- 
 
 ii d \ e had sunie spunk in ye. thouifh ye ne\ ( j r made a o-ude 
 
 \\ irker on die l.in . ! ih Mio-lil \~e \\i",-e earned. a\va" o\\"(>r 
 
 n u-kle \vi ii 1 . 1 Indians, hi;; ! sre ye hac nature in ye. an 
 
 am \iiid. \\ hi-n liie pineh eome<. 
 
 ;th ! Andi\ . you an ! loo maim hae an e c 10 lids mat- 
 . \\ e maima sii siill.an" set 1 a M;ni<i-lirv<ro\vn man ill- 
 
 amano us. \a. na ; | e_>-s ! dial \vadna he natni al." 
 \reli-. ha \inii 1 assented to die pn .iinH v ol ilns opinion, 
 a d < \\:>:-\, < is thaid.s kindm- 
 
 .[> :1 , ! VV;IS |,.- ( .|| N |;, r ;,(!- 
 
 \ a- ,;. ; . id | ,p . 1 1 . ( i d!>ei l \ ielded ti) 
 
 I roposal. ahhoii^li, !:" said, he \\ oid l hae lieen .dad lo 
 
 he cracked an oor or t\va lander \vi his Maucdirvmnvun
 
 ill!, \\ iLJii.KN KSS. 
 
 ] :-( - fees, 
 
 1 ! 
 .liiii \\ lini ;i. v. P;U \ v. . ise, 
 
 ] ;iiii. fain would i ii!\ griefs anjKirl, 
 Yc-t i " 
 
 liu; srcr< t mv IjOitl t. 
 
 1: J ( 
 
 A i/n;or(;ii Charles frame had need enough of report. 
 his mind liad lot) many objects of contemplation io <l\vcii 
 nptiu aiH ! 1 lie liad retin d for ii;e iii^iil. to permi; liiin for ;: 
 loiiii Uiiie io ( Ujoy it. j herc was one ol>|er<, in jiarticular. 
 that soon s\vaiio\\!(! up llie rest, and en^ros.-rd ever) l ;u:iil- 
 1v (ji his mind, and even 1 eeiin^ of his b.eart. so entirely 
 
 \\ hut was this o:>j( c; A\ as it ihe suddc ii and enthusiastic 
 friendship of his jiood. lios! am! hostess, and ihe singular and 
 unexpected state of doir,es;ie eond ort in wliich lie ibnnd 
 them . ?so. A\ a.s it the extraordinary :uid almost super 
 human chiiracter and cuiuluct of the benevolent Tonna^eu- 
 ka . rso. "\\ as it his own miraculous deliverance from an 
 apparently inevitable fate . ,\o. AVas it the unforluiuiie 
 issue of ihe expedition he: had commanded . ?so. A\ as it 
 the persecution and perils he was likelv to sustain from ihe 
 inveterate -malignancy of (, arawoona. INo. It was some 
 thing that had a more immediate, more uncontrollable inihi-
 
 I Hi \\ 11.1)1 
 
 /. !<T was ;ins 
 
 . . ! , \vli ie.li he : IH I .hMii he had 
 
 hanihiQ 1 
 
 iiei 1 -. oice and 
 
 i n!c resting niaii !esia : 
 
 C ] ieii! in her lirsl reeepuon ol him : 
 
 1 It ll I o| her \\ hol! de- 
 
 lortinen! and lion ; no; the l;m:i and generous 
 
 I in 1 not. one oi 
 
 en rapa- 
 
 inpre.ssion th;il w;is no\v made 
 , 1 1 en co it 
 
 - ;:>!led 
 
 these 
 led in 
 rness, 
 mi . 
 
 : : I i:o\\" id orpoworod 
 
 c 1 i o IIP , h is 
 
 . ;hat had 
 
 - ent 
 
 -suh- 
 ords 
 
 ess," 
 
 rondtuMfd 
 
 : lid 
 
 : i . 
 
 . indeed, 
 he i-ne 
 
 it is !;;.:. . ii is 
 
 fatli; . ;st:s. 
 
 i 1 ).!; he \vas yoiino- and irnimc. an 
 
 rh;it h 1 had some i<:\ ^\\ uJ-< 0:1 u Iiioh t.. i . \ -<.
 
 1 I H Tin: u n.!)i:i;\ KSS. 
 
 could be engaged. She was vet very \onni;. and. oxci pt 
 the Indian traders, to none "i whom il was !ikelv that she 
 could heroine attached, then- was no white man. hi; had 
 reason u presume, had e\er seen, much less solicited this 
 captivating daughter of the A\ ilderness. 
 
 "Shall 1 declare myself?" thought he. " Shall 1 tell her 
 lio\v much I love her ! how I cannot he happv without her. 
 Shall i do so to-morrow . Ah: I car it would ho impru 
 dent. I am yel too much a stranger to her. Such preeipi- 
 tancv : nn her delicarv, and rouse her pride to op- 
 
 po.se me. j musl act with eaulici:. ii .1 me;::i to ^ain such 
 excellence. Jirr understanding nuist I;e convinced, that I 
 am not unworihv of her. ( )h ! it i could onlv nain some 
 interest in her heart. But time, and time onlv, can eii i ct 
 these things. J must have patience! 1 \vish Toimaleiika 
 \vere here. i Mill tell him how 1 i eel. His wisdom will 
 advise me how to art: and perhaps his friendship may suc 
 cessfully plead lor me. if my own suit lie rejected : tor she 
 reveres him as a father, and will attend to his counsel. I 
 will wait the rominir of Tomi: .leuka." 
 
 AVith this irsohuion. whether wise or foolish the reader 
 may decide, formed in his mind, after about three hour s ac 
 tive meditation, Charles at last resigned himself to sleep, 
 in which lie spent about three hours more, very deliciouslv 
 dreaming of Aiana, love, and happiness. 
 
 Some of our sympathising readers will, perhaps, wish, to 
 know how .Maria felt on this eventful night, towards by far 
 the most inlerestin<_ r yr:un<r man she Irad ever seen, and upon 
 whose heart he, charms had made such an indelible impres 
 sion. But as 1 never con.-idered it proper to enquire mi 
 nutely into the feelings of yonnsj ladies on such occasion--, 
 1 cannot wive the exact chain of thoughts that passed through
 
 her mind, although ] have ascertained that their tenor was 
 something even more than favorable towards Charles. 
 
 And was it this noble youth, she would say to herself, 
 " that the hard-hearted savages were about committing to the 
 flames. Oh. happy Tonneleuka! I shall love you, I shall re 
 vere vou more than I ever yet did, since yon were blessed 
 instrument, in the hands of (iod, to save him. Oh! may 
 heaven still irrant him protection from that barbarous enemy 
 who seeks his destruction! Ah! if he were destroyed now, 
 in the bloom and fervor of youth, what an ornament to his 
 species would be cut oil from the world!" 
 
 But. as 1 have already said, 1 know not the exact chain of 
 Maria s reflections on this occasion, I shall not, therefore, 
 follow them further. I have Driven a few of them only, to 
 show the temper and feeling with which they were con 
 ceived, not the form or manner in which they arose. But 
 1 have another view in refraining to detail Maria s thoughts 
 on the first mirht that she beheld her lover, even if I could 
 do it in a regular and connected series, u hicii is. my wish 
 to acquire the reader s iavor by leaving him something on 
 which to exercise his own imagination. 
 
 The whole of the ensuing dav was spent by Charles Ad- 
 derlv. in the nianm r of alt others the most delightful to a 
 \ out hi id lover, in looking at and listening to the mistress ol his 
 heart. It was ;; dav a !:O;M-I her unebequered by any inci 
 dent (-1 importance enough to claim a place in this narrative. 
 It passed on in the calm enm\ incut ol domestic and social 
 happiness; or. if it be thou .:b that the happiness deri.ed 
 bv Charles from the presence of his Maria, was something 
 dillerent, perhaps superior, to this. Mian the appellation ol 
 < innnnri i! / ./;>//;/ may snii it better. in beholding and 
 eon\ ersiiitr with Maria, the world and all its concerns were 
 foro-oiten. or onl\ so far rem< inhered as to occasion a com 
 parison \\hich added a higher relish >o his present happi 
 ness. !l. during the preceding e\eniii" , the chains o! love 
 were prepa n d a :id ihro\\n around his heart, they were now 
 riveted there. ne\er to be taken oil : and so delighted was 
 be with these chains, thai he would noi ha\e < \ch allied 
 th(-m for kinir (ieor^e s crown. Although b.e wa:- afraid to
 
 . whom 
 
 Tov i: I 
 
 as li." walked ai haul. nv witli 
 
 lliems 
 
 oi all 
 
 
 
 ,g cil- 
 
 . 
 
 ,-on ( 
 uroun 
 
 mi;: 
 
 licsp
 
 \nLDEilNEaS. 
 
 : :(. But in the civili/ed world, you inusi have 
 
 hesc 
 
 i i child ni the forest. It would, therefore. !>: 
 i i ;i me \n oiler you Tonnaleuka 
 \ en mention." 
 
 "In the eivili/ed \\nrlii. as von are pleased to call it," 
 
 -. there nvc ; . . of natur 1 which 
 
 annot be studied so well as in the desert ; and such of the 
 
 forest as have iiujuirhii!- minds, frequently dis- 
 
 - in)- \\ hich tin- drudges ol : ci( nee ol 
 
 1 doubt not. hut llic most learned (>i our philoso- 
 
 i s \vnuld iind i (i!i!ia!cuka caj .a pl-.- of teaching : i in 
 
 -. osj)cciall\ on ahslract and uic:a. [)h\ sical suh- 
 
 cts, which i ;(ju;re not the proof of experiment, !mt ;nly 
 
 .~ of nature, for iheir elucidation. As fo- nr\ - 
 
 , rbud to learn from Tonnaleuka, ;ind 
 
 1\\ (\\ s (!. li^ht.-d. ah : more than delighted! to rcci. ive his 
 
 f ) U . " 
 
 li mav I). 1 so, sir," replie,! .Maria; --sine" vou sav it, I 
 
 nisi believe i : . But in this instance, as ! am convinced 
 
 .. : :i;ted b \- li c itinu .our lesson from its 
 
 ce, 1 will not deprive you of that benefit, by 
 
 tn;^ M at second hand." 
 
 "Forgive me, Maria," said Charles, somewhat startled 
 
 t this replv, "il m\ assertinii the truth has ^i\en oll ence. 
 
 ,e me. I sjioke seriously, and not \\i;h the least view 
 
 it compliment, \\liMi 1 mentioned the delight vonr commu- 
 
 licaiin^ I onnah. ul-.a"s doctrines would :.n\e me." 
 
 \ mi mistake me. sir," n plied Maria: \ on lia , e <j\\ en 
 10 oii ejice. Un! do \dii suppose 1 shall be so presumptii- 
 nis as to turn \ our insiructor . What a reilection it would 
 ( iijion the learned proli-ssni s of Duhlin enlle^e. if a sim- 
 :;ii l. torn and bred in the wilds of America, should he 
 mind ieachiun- ;i pupil upon whom they no doubt expended 
 
 ii n- lore !" 
 
 I hen- \ mi fur mercy," said Charles. lie not so severe 
 with me. \\ hat tho: c men taught me. miL hl be ol sen ice 
 io me m the ranks ol sm letv ; but here, I acknowledge 
 here, m the midst ol sublime and heautilul nature, it sinks 
 
 Mill lllS|o-|||||c;nice ;;|jd 1 1 e T; . 1 1 e I \ ( II kllo\\S,l liel happier.
 
 ami would in- j] . . j ;,ou 
 
 -\ ih: 
 ;;nd all 
 
 
 
 
 nor ill 
 
 have this m 
 
 ; dncsis to return t-. > i ever di me a? 
 
 so very di 
 
 1 meai 
 
 . ;uid 
 
 . 100, pOV. 
 
 arc in. 
 
 JlieiUS i\\0 
 
 a ! I do [ervalue me 
 
 jovs o! society but i value ; e ! led far 
 
 more acutely. 
 
 1 nin a lad thai .Mr. Adderly is so happy with us. ob 
 served Nancy, " bui ! cannot <jues wbai has ina. h 1 biin so. 
 It surely cannol ;onny blue mist that s IIOM around 
 
 us. ciii liii r over the tops cs like smoke rising from 
 
 the buniiiii! ot In usbv. i- 
 
 "?so," said Mad;:. r ; i!ii!ini)f, ! think not; neither our 
 fogs, nor our withered leaves, nor any oilier feature of our 
 ruulseape, nor yet iho gcnih . reception that our native tribes 
 have ofhen him, could have been the strangely attractive 
 cause that, has bound his i ancy so strong to these uucultureil 
 M ilds. 1 ratlier imainnc that !Mr. Adderly I to a 
 
 certain complaint, with \\hicli 1 have heani J onnaleuka say 
 lliat younof tra\ cll- i s and voiiiu poets were oi ien atllicted. 
 lie called it the hyperbole, which, he said, in Knirli-h 
 mean* overstrainiiiir. Not. ]\] r. Adderl\ ." said Maria, 
 ^omewhnt raisin<r her voir-e, to clu ck a.n attempt which 
 (Diaries was here making to speak, at the same time sweet 
 ly smiling in ID S face, so as to keep him in pood humor
 
 not, M;. idderly, diai \ on have wilfulK . or e\en knou- 
 v, ( alien :,: ^ our judgment ;uid your 
 
 candor, \ . nit your imay laiion ! hen- 
 
 your pardon, sir, s iboul il . 
 
 \h ! tun ig whether 
 
 in 1 oiiidit to ; ; : " . (i widi her observations; 
 
 ; ;i me whe diei- you reallv think me niad. f;>r you liail 
 : ;> do so : ; ::: vou oi ring i 1 ;: 1 " 
 
 " Think j - - .1 admit i 
 
 is lik vou \vere ;.; d. it ini;;hi be 
 
 .-"HIS lo banier 
 
 vou. ^><>. no; i sliall -i^x ; madman, unless I 
 
 . :uul nivs;. 1 !! . t$n;, i ; i sober earnestness, si;-, \ 
 
 do in you nrid ! d. Bui. per- 
 
 ; you ci non to ba so." 
 
 i ! i i < Mmrles : ; for really :; 1 lia\ e oi- 
 
 I cndcd bv expressing the sen-; m\ juvsrn! h;:[)pi- 
 
 jicss, ! liavc sureh i">eea < t iiou.^b. !>ut no," he 
 
 added ;" even this aent is h;i 
 
 Whal," said Maria, lin ! liui I set } on 
 
 incurable, sir. 1 \vi!l have don: \\iiii you, and leave 1 
 
 xo i to your malady. Si; lr . m- return home, if yon please." 
 
 Tin . \vards tiir uou^;-, \vii: ii ?\a.ne\ 
 
 oiiscrv in: 1 tort distance 1 in t!r. \vooiis. \\-iiicii 
 
 she wish ter them, and h.-fi 
 
 ( bar 
 
 A !;:> \i : . . said he, i npanioil was 
 
 out oi h. ann^-, .: [Jiness hci\ oh! 
 
 would to lira ven il p^rcved of it ! v 
 
 A! r. Ad s iir; v. h ic 1 1 
 
 had become snd(! rid \ . . nous and (i iiiii 
 
 Ijiiod \\ iiulil iii\ i-,;io\\ ii .ii;! 1 ot :h:u eii iMiin \ on . !i 
 
 i! \^ ill do yon _!<>od, let me hear it. for I \viii rejoice to serve 
 vou. Hi! il , 0:1 are happ\ , as \ on say, already, is it not 
 
 [>. \1 \ !. !lo\\ 
 
 \ oar c i, 
 
 lor m \ no\ver i lini
 
 1 V. 1 
 
 Sir," said she, inliTrnpiino- him, "this i.s mysieriou 
 laiiLi uaLre. How i can ill ;>n\ manner control \oiir fair, I 
 do not understand, nor do i \\ish, a! the j,n -, :,; Lime, to IK 
 informed. Mysteries and secrets iiavo never been pleasing 
 to inc. and to become acquainted \vitli yours now. is what \ 
 will not, with my own consent. [ am persuaded thai whili 
 it miLi ht do me harm, it could do yon no ^ood ; and now. 
 when ! think of it properly, I desire you to let me remain 
 in ignorance concerning your all airs." 
 
 Ah! .Maria," said he, whv put his cruel injunction 
 upon me. !>ui il is vour wish, and 1 sliall obey i;. 
 
 They here walked for some; time in silence, during which. 
 Charles s manner betrayed <>T< a! a nlaiion. Maria, afraid 
 thai this miirht continue after their arrival a! the hou- 
 be observed hv some of the fainilv, stopped at a short dis 
 tance from it. and said 
 
 " Mr. Adderly, I wish what has occurred between us: ihi: 
 evening, not to alt<T our hearing to\vards e;ich other, I 
 interrupt whatever decree oi friendship ma. have e: 
 between us. 1 assure yon 1 have not changed mv opinion 
 of yon, be that opinion what it miirhi, nor will 1 chap.. 
 manners towards you, unless a change becomes perceptible 
 on \ our part." 
 
 Maria! Maria!" s lid Charles, looking serionslx 
 affectin^lv at her, wliile lie laid his hand upon his bean, 
 "j here seriously promise, that whatever mav hi \oiir 
 wishes, onlv let me know them, and L shall obey them 
 for obedience to you is .:jul ever shall be, my chief bap- 
 pine; ..-." 
 
 Maria blushed deeph . for she could no! now avoid rom- 
 prehendinu his meaning, but she said nolhinj;-, and continu- 
 inu their walk, thev soon arri\ed at the house.
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Sin 5 k-lt his flame, uin her breast 
 
 ii; bas! LI! co) iies . iden p^ide, 
 
 T.ii aled ; save ^m-ii it stole 
 
 In sidi nces iVom her downcnst e . ; , 
 
 Or 1 
 
 Tom -. -avs, 
 
 Ho I riinrd ;i muhe. ,; lay In try !; r lic.irt; 
 
 .\ ml ii :iii Llii i 111 
 
 ppy swj.ni ! 
 
 , . i :! oft d CiitC 
 
 O, j.ir.iiuy muiianSis, tneu decided thine. 
 
 I m-: day ;!t"t"r the preceding interview, Tonn -ileuku visited 
 Gilbert s resilience. Taking Charles aside, h 1 in formed him 
 iif v;;rinu> iinsurcessfi.il uUcniMN t!i;il Uarrawoona had inuu: 
 u> cnizaii i thi nci^hljDi inir Indi.-ins to insist i:i [dirsuing him. 
 Bu . said he, inv son, ;i!t!u)Ui> h \\s is not Hi, civ to obtain 
 an >, iiiaric . S in ihis vicinity, yt. t he may obtaip, tin iu elsewhere. 
 " . ion! anv auxih.iry, his <\\-n personal exertii 
 
 hi inning, lerocity, perseverance, and intrepidity, arc ! :- 
 mi iable pen s to encjnintei 1 . I liiire will lie no end to hi:-, 
 attem I main in this c:-,nntry. 
 
 my son, while here, yon are not 1 or a dnyle dav as- 
 :- 1 ". ! >! ynnr hi-. . \ on kno .v not !; >\\ p soon, Iroiii some 
 iinsnsp . c - : :-:< VUM may dischai u^r 
 
 the timndorboli oi Nonr destniction. Then, iiear my ad 
 virc. l- ix ;ui eiiiiy d.i\ I M 1 yonr liep.irtine. Onr brothei 
 i r-.!/;er will ! ,iiiiis!i yon -.viih H IKM SC and piovi^ions, and 1 
 v. ii! ]n i)ciire \ on a irmde. My son, i \vi.-h von were salt , 
 \vi:h ynur !i:;-inl.i in the ! i-t. for 1 fear for yonr safely 
 
 ill IV." 
 
 .M y f.i l ; r," said ( hail* s, 1 [, n,iw 
 
 yon \\i-di onr :(>!! ! ! > be hap. Ah! if von \\ish him t .
 
 tu get (mi ot tins \\ liderness. .\uw. 1 dread, I imnnie, to 
 leave it, lor in leaving it, nuclei present eircr,;: stanees. T sli:i!) 
 separate from happiness, and perhaps hid adieu to it I orevcr. 
 Oh, father: fonrive the \\eukness of your son. \ will reveal 
 to yon MI y hc;-iri. 1 want a confidant and rm adviser, am". 
 where can I find a hotter than you . i on \vm->e I; i ; . 
 will sympathize with me, and whose wisdom wii! direct rue. 
 Father, my In-art is bound to this place, for it loves, ii rvt n-tlv 
 and unallerahly loves, the fairest, the swc.eteM m:;i(i n ilia! 
 ever charmed the aifections of man. Ah! need I It-ii ynn. 
 when 1 say so. that it is Maria, the daughter 
 host, to \\honi I :-m become so attached : . thai 
 
 without her. or without hopes oflic-r, 1 ki.ow not how j 
 support life." 
 
 My sou," said Ti>!iii:>l: :!ka. "yon your 
 
 confidant I will em cavta- to !;e a liue one. i on liave told 
 me your weakness I will n-f hlamo you h.r it, nor coldly 
 exhort yon against encouraging it, for I ::m not igiKiran! ol 
 what love is, and therefore know that it would he !niitle^ u . 
 Advice to a lover is like the wind to the burning forest, in 
 stead of cooling and diminishing the fury of the. flame, it 
 aggravates and increases it beyond the pov/er of control. 
 But, my son, I will say ihat i grieve fcr you. \our pas 
 sion is, at present, extremely inconvenient, ii is unfortunate, 
 it may interfere with your safety; for ii it will not permit 
 you to leave this country, yon arc sooner or later likely to 
 fall by the revenge of Carrawoona. 3!y ;:on, tn;,y I ask if 
 the nniden knows that yon love her ?" 
 
 "Alas! father," replied Clnrle--. she hr.s not permitird 
 me to make the declaration. But I believe she suspects- 
 ah! she cannot out suspect how I feel.* 
 
 Hear me, my son," ;.aid Tonnalenka; " ihe maiden yon 
 love is the child of my instruction, and ae. dear to me as if 
 she were the (Ifsprinir of my loins. Her peace i mind, 
 therefore, and her prosperity are as much the objects of ni) 
 solicitude as yours can be. Your attentions may have made 
 an impression upon her mind, even at present unknown to 
 herself, which may, in the end, be ruinous to her peace 
 for alas ! the female mind is too susceptible of such impres 
 sions. T shall try hv studying her at entivelv v, hdc 1 talk
 
 THE \\ II.DEKN KSS. l ?7 
 
 ,n her about you. to discover the stale of her feelings ; ;md 
 
 it she be undisturbed, if she he cool, if she he indifferent to- 
 
 !s yon, linar me, mv on. nor consider it unkindness if 
 
 - hail then require you. for her sake, to relin- 
 
 i|iiisli all p e ensions to her, and if possible, for your o\vu 
 
 -.ike. to abandon ail thoughts of her. For I will not sane- 
 
 lion anv measure that will tend to interrupt the even and 
 
 m-ooth ;ran nullity which has hitherto occupied her unnif- 
 
 tled mini!. 
 
 \h. father! will you he " 
 
 ar me. further son. do not interrupt me ; 1 have not 
 vet dine. If an impression has heen made on Maria s mind ; 
 if I ;iud that your attachment is likelv to be mutual. I will 
 then advise you to declare it. I will encourage you to per- 
 sevi re, and use a:iy inllucnr-o I may have over her in pn>- 
 raoting v son, you may now speak." 
 
 ! tl .i r bv what von h.ave said, you have bid me des 
 pair. 1 ! your interference in mv behalf, but, alas! 
 1 IVMV exr . You will not befriend me nay, you 
 will oppose mv eifotl-i to train her favor, unless you discover 
 I already enjoy it! Father, you may save yourself the 
 !: Hib e of miking the inquiry, for 1 know 1 do not enjoy ii. 
 >- forbidden rne to speak to her the feeliiifis of my 
 I, :! i ; ! have no friend who will prevail ou her 
 lo wi hdraw that prohi!)ition. ()!i ! if I had only permission 
 my cause, permission to teli her how much she 
 causes me to sillier, I know she would pity me she is too 
 kind-hearted to be a \vare of my sorrows, and not bid me be 
 comforted." 
 
 " My son, 1 replied Tonaaleuka, " I really feel for you I 
 .rrieve for you. lint if Maria cannot love you, irrief is all I 
 an irive you ; for never will I assist in either constraining, 
 >ir !>vcn in persuading her to join her fate with one she can- 
 101 love. It js my anxiety for her welfare, and not my in- 
 dill ereuce for vours, ihat jirevents me from interfering with 
 iiiv undue intliience in this matter. 
 
 My so.i, listen to another thing. Have you thought se 
 riously up.Mi what would be the consequence of your suit 
 :>eing successful ? You would, no doubt, make her your 
 s "ife. But vour laws require a certain prescribed ceremony
 
 iiJb Till-: WILDERXESS. 
 
 to be performed by ;; privileged perron fur that purpose, 
 "Where could such a j ci sun lie f er she 
 
 nor you \\ ould su! milting 10 our H inn u! 
 
 mamace; and you could not expect thai she wi 
 her la her and her mother, and tiavol wi;h yon, I m- weeks 
 together throuijh a ho\\ } \\.tr wihiei ne<- , in .- n h ol a priest 
 to tie the nuptial knot! ?so rny son. } on cannot expect 
 this inr you must si e it (nild not be done. AYhv, iherc- 
 ibre, disturb the mind of ; n innncent and hitherto h:>ppy 
 yomii>- \voin;m, by exciiii:<r JUT aflec .ions and securing her 
 Jove, \\hen to jMin the oi.jict fcr \\hirh the.-e are done, i>, 
 nnii( i r present circumstance s, .-o nt erh in practicable? rXo, 
 my >-oi], yi ii Avill be \vi.-e, yon , and ii \ou 
 
 rchlly love this young wormin. ytui uiii ; to remain 
 
 !;.ij j:y ah \ ou found her, :;nd no! v iadu!i;i!:il in .he pin>uit 
 oi :: viild and \ i.-ioiKirv, .u;d. von mav no\\ pere(-i\e, unat 
 tainable object, p!;;:";(ve hoth her and yourself iii!n perhaps a 
 series fit misfortunes, the extent of \\hieh can neither b? 
 f i re.-een nor cali-ulated." 
 
 Oh! Father! bear with me yet !" replied Charles. "Sure 
 ly 1.0 procme a la\vl id per.-on to nnt:e our . . - : . if our 
 hearts \ve;-e once united, would not he so cliiiienlt a maitcr 
 a you .snpj)o.--e. Oh! lit me only lie sure of an inten - I in 
 lier heartlet me lint have her consent to join . 
 lock, and I \vill soon hasten throuuh the desert, a.nd 
 iVorn tiie habitations <! elai.- .ia.n;-.; a clergy man to perlorm 
 the ceremony." 
 
 "My son: hear me main, said Tonnruka, "your impet 
 uosity blinds von to obstacles. It i* indeed ah\ a\. s the na 
 ture of passion, and especially the passion of lov j . to blind 
 its votaries. The .iceonplishnu ;;l of u hat you propose, may 
 not be inipes-ihle, hut an ii;iuK:nse majority of chances are 
 against it. .i\ son lei ns snp[)oec \ ou have gainet! the ;\f- 
 fections of Maria: voti are oiiiiged 10 leave her speedily, or 
 risk i alling the victim o( Cafra\voona. J his \vould render 
 her miserable. Or you get safely out of the wilderness, and 
 your father opposes your return, unwilling thn: you sh<>uM 
 auain encounter such hardsiiijis and perils as will even make 
 him shudder to hear reer.ed; or he perhaps compels yon to 
 iiiorrv some eastern heiress; or, if h !i to Your i:\vn inclina-
 
 lions, von may search in vain i or a priest to accompany you 
 ! it-!; to the desert ; or distance may cool your affection, and 
 : -ire to return ; or- hear mi; yet you may meet with 
 : : ! i! accident on your perilous journey; you may sick- 
 < a -ui! die. In short, a thousand things may take place to 
 prevent Maria iVoin ever a^am seeing you. She, in conse- 
 (;uenee, sinks into an agoni/ing suspense concerning your 
 t atc:slje pines under the weight of long continued dissapoint- 
 ment, and a; length, dies ol a broken heart, the victim of 
 disappointed love: 
 
 Listen, uiy son i- it not niy duty to protect her if I can, 
 :"j aiust such a I u,). and Oh! inny her irreat. Parent above 
 s>is* me! Still, my son! hear me. If I find thai her heart 
 is alreadv touched, that her ail eiMions are already yours 
 then, as I know she will lie unchangeable as I know that 
 her happiness wiii tlieii depend on yours I will bid adieu 
 10 caution on the subject; and, as ! before said, will be the 
 of your suit. For when two minds are thus mu- 
 linllv atiached, the .sooner they come to a mutual undrr- 
 standiiiiTi thev are the sooner relieved from an unnecessary 
 burden of suspense and anxiety. 1 
 
 "Father!" said Charles, "your sentiments may be reason- 
 i do not feel as if 1. could judyfe of them properly 
 now. They sound harsh to me, but you are my deliv- 
 . and 1 know yon are my friend. I will therefore, think 
 nothing yon can say to me har.-h. But, Oh! these senti- 
 inenls promise nothing to my happiness, and I am not now 
 in a lit state of mind, altogether to acquiesce in their pro 
 priety, lint you nc d not fear that 1 will importune Maria 
 with my passion. I shall for ever love her, and none out 
 her. j shall bear in silence the tortures of an unrequited 
 love; for she has commanded me to be silent, and she shall 
 lie obeyed. With respect to any danger from ( arrawoona, 
 since my life is thus likely to be miserable, it is scarcely 
 worth preserving. Still it would be criminal to tempt fate; 
 and the sooner 1 proceed to the eastward, the sooner 1 shall 
 have ii in mv power to I -i ini with the means of removing 
 at le;ist some of your obp lions to my suit. As soon, there- 
 Core, as the necessary preparations for my journev can he 
 nade, I shall bid. but I !ni-t oulv for a Mine. f:o "wei.l to a 
 1"
 
 130 TUK WILDKKNESS. 
 
 country, u here, iti the space of a few works, I have felt 
 both more joy, and sorrow, than I ever did during die whole 
 cour.se of my pre\;ous existence." 
 
 The effects of this conversation upon Charles s mind, 
 were vi.-ible during the \\ in.!e of that day, and .\3aria. conid 
 not hut observe them. Indeed, her own spirits were not in 
 the most coml oi ialile condition. Toi-neieuka had derided 
 that Charles was only !o remain another day with them, and 
 she saw that preparations were now making for hisjourney. 
 "But what, thought she, "is tiiis ailair to me, that I 
 should permit it to afl ect me so much This younu man js 
 but a stranger to me. Tis true lie is interesting, brave, and 
 unfortunate, and lie has almost said thai that no I will 
 not presume so for if lie did love m< , how imprudent it 
 would be to return or encourage ills partiality, when fortune 
 compels us to reside so far asunder. \Vliy should 1 regret 
 that he must now leave us when his safety reouins it? I 
 will try to bo cheerful although J se-> that he isnui. I. n for 
 tunate young man ! i really wish his safety permitted him 
 to stay, for some short time, at leas!. But it does sun. lie 
 must <ro and I mu-t not appear to grieve tor it. i will keep 
 up my spirits. It miinit occasion remarks to be made, if I 
 should appear paniculaiU inelaneholy about thi^ time." 
 
 During dm whole oi that evening, she accordingly did 
 keep up her spirns very successfully, and so reat was the 
 triumph of her resolutions over her feelings, that when 
 Ttmnaleuka, with die de.-i^n of di.>c ivering how they were 
 affected towards C liarles, talked p., iH c ly to her about, in.s 
 leavino- them, profe-sm^ a reat regrei jor the necessity that 
 occasioned it, and in eal admiration (or the openness, manli 
 ness, and general excellence of his character, she completely 
 succeeded in (lei eivin<f him with vey.ud to the state of her 
 affections. She adknowletl^ed that he was a very line 
 accomplished youn^ man bin she did so in such a care 
 less manner, tint Tonnaleuka supposed she conceived it of 
 no impoitancc whether he was or not. She pitied his" mis 
 fortunes, and wished him s-ifc at a distance from Carra- 
 woona s vengeance with so much undisturbed and trancjini 
 sincerity, tluit Tonnaleuku believed her to be actuated only 
 by the mere rliarity of her nature, to desire his safety. lie
 
 TIIK W/f,Dr.K\i>S, 
 
 gave uj) his exaniirr. by the bye, ho had coiii- 
 
 ,i just when she 
 Iv coin meed ihu! . . . 
 
 . 
 \\ hen, however the morn inn oi thai day came, which \\ a.s 
 
 naliv so agitated, that h< feared . ::;( (hiring iis course, if 
 
 - !;; id at hoiiK 
 
 it prudent, therefore, to spend the dav a i e, \\\> c 
 
 . she accordingly sel olT on a visit to l^ leen Alliquip- 
 p . -o that Charles, very much !o his t! i and 
 
 mortification, felt himself compelled to pass 
 
 ; h T abod , with 
 i;;s i-irurrin at her absence was the greater, 
 
 usual attention, fn i 
 
 expressing ;heir icirret that ii did. n-->t suit, him to remain loi\- 
 m. 
 
 il he is siie who i I all 
 
 Is me . She avi iid - me, .-:. 
 
 ill. perhaps because she knov. . mot but know, 
 
 she renders me miserable by All ! th 
 
 meat in eta . a torture less toler- 
 
 ;<> my soul, and less excusable, than ihat which Carra- 
 u oon I would i m me. ) i would only in 
 
 dict ven Lie nice u poll an Ulieiu v bu , alas ! she en; alls in isery 
 md despair upon a !o\a a. Da:. h M mi forgive me il 1 ac- 
 use her wronifl ully ! She certainly knows not how much I 
 ire her pie.-ence to-dav. or she woul o cruelly 
 
 abst.Mit herself, for it is not in her natup 1 lo La; so cruel." 
 
 ! mis he reasoned, . bus he ac 
 
 cuse d , a n ( I thus he a c( ( u i ! ! ed ! i e >-, u 1 1 1 1 1 ; ; : i day had a 1 1 v a ; 
 somewhat into the alieiitoon; \\hen unaMe longer to bear 
 hi ir a!>sence, ( specially as he was not sure whether she 
 would return at all before bis departure, lie resolved lo set 
 on! lor Mli(|inppa s, and solicit ai least a parlinii inlen lew. 
 
 lie accordingly, without acin aintin^ an\ or,e \\ iih his in 
 tention, sel oil in that direction. Fortune sometimes favors 
 lovers even in their most desponding moments, and, on this 
 occasion, she favored ( harles so far as to permit him, when 
 i little more than half wav to Alliquippa s resided e, to meet 
 us \I;iria i etunimif homeM ards -done in the wood-.
 
 His heart leaped will: joy as he beheld her continuing (> 
 
 advance : for he \yn ! ! iirs! saw 1: ! , th;:! she 
 
 : in order to the 
 
 V iv.- idence. I ::: 1 may n : -rs of 
 
 : -- liimsc ll 
 
 re t!r> 
 
 cause i nn her 
 
 visit. She thought that it would he carrying her caution 
 with respect to her lover, knew \voll that Charles 
 
 he acting with too much 
 
 less o h- th hi^ arid her own feelings. I -o I elt 
 
 ;i i!:n. ! imething else f.>; Cli rly, which 
 
 phe di. l nol wis?!i !> consider love, although it possessed 
 every one <>i it: a.-ept the name, to refuse him 
 
 \n opportunity . proba 
 
 bility, w: lould ever 
 
 bid i 
 
 : ire he departs," 
 
 V ,! : , liei -ell ; there cnri ! ;> no !;arni in tiiat, since 
 dl ! ; i farewell. -ly never to meet again." 
 
 i!:t ! > ! e resolution of 
 ! met her \viih feel- 
 in! tho \ loved can comprc- 
 
 hend, an I v. hi T ; -;: who 
 
 have not. 
 
 Oh, Maria!" said he, \v ie her, while 
 
 slu; h! ii " 1 i -eM out her hand !.> 
 
 hiisi hv wiy o i () :, .Maria! IMV; glad ! am to 
 
 meet you ! i reall\ feared I should not have seen vou to 
 liave taken a lon</. : . >p , ;i-.)t a la^t farewell." 
 
 " Your not seeiny me, Mr. Aiu erlv," said she, " would 
 have been no great di? I !o vou. I believe it would 
 
 siot have added one p : ~ leno-tii, wildness, or 
 
 difilculty of your way hoinew 
 
 It would. h:)v/evo; - , : replied Charley " have disnirileil 
 and Rnfeehled me. I should have leaved that you wilfully 
 avoided nie. from foiuo personal diihke ; so tint 1 shouhl 
 have been far less capable of encountering the diliii-ulties of 
 the journey, than if 1 commenced it with a consciousness of 
 ,(v;--e- ; ing our eii>oin and goorl wishes
 
 THT \VIT.DKRN >> 
 
 My esirem or pood v : <T r ui br> of l-nt lit ! - >m- 
 
 ch as )i< ;, I 
 
 in -:.\ ir - .:ii., I ilicy . ;:; T ; 1- 
 
 . 
 ;. nn until I wish [\\ ;.\ s he ;:;:d 
 
 . 
 
 i ? ! ! i! ire 1 ;;<k nothing; hut , t, i m from yon I- 1 there 
 o \vurn er t ( C !in ; ci yi ur : 
 will ion- -- " 
 
 :. !o \v! jrh I 
 
 wi>h lo "ini: t 1 1 .:;,;!;, Ac ni 1 ; soon to 
 
 ir.iv, perhaps, nr ver ; ({ain meet. To r!i< n>h, 
 
 .vnrnn r :t !if. cl(-trii to the 
 
 
 ui fiicli oilier only >- " 
 
 iii re -!. \v:i= ort o! ;> nn;.sket, tin.- Imll 
 
 if u liich strurk . ] .!(. -.( it. 
 
 l h > \ tiiuK.-lv succcr-tled liv ilir ttMTifvinjr ai id tre- 
 
 i im upon 1 1 is 1 ; [ , ,m 
 
 . 
 
 : . \Vith hi- ill li.md, 
 
 . by tin i rcby, forcilily \ <r< \ 
 
 in in : - iictl 
 
 \\ i t ! i \v 1 
 
 . 
 
 l)(->tioycr ol >i: -\ -i . 11 mi v 
 
 i s (_ r r;isp. Yes, sn.iic tlion ; 
 
 \" vi- Hiii. 1 .^licriiic" thy ( in i r" 
 
 vi ni:: 1 !. i. . d . spitf o| ii!;a ! 
 
 . 
 
 th. i 1 i ;ir;h, 
 
 whi-n ii pi ri i d the ! i | | did?l 
 
 loi k -it t ic \ <nn!i w- . i i ni:m;i iii to : inn 
 
 Ai.i! ci !-t tiiuii not \ c s, | (M liiiui thcc ! 
 
 tlinii didst kill the hero i e ihe pride, ilie ri. !i-!it of 
 
 !;!- 1 ilicr! I>i:t. mv soul iin\v rinN in !; isnre. ! nnw
 
 have my revenge- Yo^. i will lot inn- sec drat woman! 1 
 perceive ihou easiest ihinc eyes towards her. Didst tlinu 
 love lier ! Tb :: am " ; ~ ( revengi d f< r si e. lier sonl is 
 
 She 
 
 is killed ! I wii! h after her. Thy blood 
 
 shall appease my passion, thy scalo shall <rratifv my pride, 
 and thv soul i . THIII to Carravi issa ! 
 
 Xo\v ()) it.! Xo prophel of MannU) saves thce now ! 
 
 So saying, he col!ec!e<: hi-; whole strength, and !he fatal 
 blfftv was in the act of ^ i "- iding, v^li Mi -, riflo-luiH pene- 
 fraled t ie brain . IMH! he i uli lifeless by the side 
 
 of hi.- intended vicjini. < harles ^einsi t nis unexpectedly 
 freed fro;-.) th ;i il n-iide foe. >tari<-d 1o 
 
 his i had ealirtly fainted 
 
 way . frt , :u;d terrifvin^ 
 
 rjcene, ne pcrci .isible, and in a 
 
 " Oil ! God ! is she indeed 
 (h, ;id ! Is I to save IK-" 
 
 At iddy 1 but diref-t- 
 
 in^ hi-? v, ho! x alter) . arrawoona : on liftinsr 
 
 wliose liead. an " ired on the earih. In 1 
 
 t :ri -d on! 
 
 !);. ,-vccl. It was a good hit 
 
 too, at sueh :: distant s. I le very spot 1 aimed at. 
 
 iiine to <re! nearer jut never yr-t. sliiee I wa= a 
 
 hoy, liave j mi: hundred yards. Il lias done 
 
 his bu-inos, and kiiic.-d him snugly i ciiik viod ! " 
 
 ?il;i; p i,i . . and, the first words 
 
 she distinctly heard, were the a vlul ones, "nn .i killed him!" 
 which, in the present scattered stale of her senses she sup 
 posed were applied to Charles, whom she did not at once 
 perceive beside her, supportintr her head with his sound 
 arm tindrr i;. and wish tb.e \V )i!nd d one Ivino on the other 
 side, bleeding 01 
 
 "Ah! ;nv Charles! my Charles!" she in a fren/ied 
 manner exclaimed. h: - Vs- killed thee ! lias the monster 
 kiileii iiiy lieloved i Oh! let me see my Charles ! Is be 
 dead P 
 
 (Here, seeing him beside her, and thinking what she 
 sa\v to be only his corpse, she threw her arms around 
 him"
 
 i HL. U lUJLRNKSS. 
 
 "Oh ! n>\ be.- 1 beloved. have they muiueied thee ? : s-he 
 
 ijain e.xrlaimed. -Oh, (..cd! ihou hast eonn taken him 
 
 lii in ii! 1 . I :iiii ieit miserable here. ( Mi ! tint I could the 
 
 with him V\ hy did not the murderer kili us in:;h ! Theso 
 
 j.an^s I I (hero her senses h ;d retinuec; so i,ir tint she, 
 
 i di.-cover the trutii I 1 oh! \\li.it " she nu\v 
 
 e.istiiiijuished (, iiaries, saymp; m a sooiiim;: manner 
 
 " ,\iy hnt 1 . be c,i!in neithei of us is killed. Thank God! 
 .ou are vet sale still uiive to r-s i ight your 
 
 niin 
 
 : thiink (jini ! UK - rej bul 
 
 is . "\\"as not that shot mortal . And 
 
 Miffly 1 sa\\ \- i .sp ol that drendiiil 
 
 ~ .(\ ;:ii< . 1 lliank heaven there h:;- been no murder here." 
 
 "-No murder, indeed/ "has taken place ; 
 
 init then 1 is a . :. Aiy 
 
 i nemy. ( arrav, 
 
 j our enemy : " . 
 
 <ii ( . who lUiee protected you, ai i <1 you from your 
 
 enemies. ()!:, Charl . , thankful \ve siioidd be!" 
 ;l;i-n chenking herself, as if sh le Iiad expre.sed 
 
 ler . \iidi-riv, 
 
 you h .. . the ])rotec-;ioi) oi 
 
 heaven, which . : scued vou 
 
 Jrom impending fa; ." 
 
 I a:u tlranklul, M; 
 onlv, hi 
 
 rath; r 
 
 tiian those ol >.e world besides, is not indji- 
 
 ifreni to my fat(-. Ol), M; ; a wn : i:on- 
 
 -olation ailbrded to me this t : .~ mil .. J onnaieuk; 1 \\ 
 now ask me to leave thee so . 
 
 .Mr. Add-Tiv," s.rd sh-, . "you have, T believe, discox- 
 red the \veakhe.-s [ wish id eoiiceal ; but Irt u> talk, a! 
 j)i e.~ent, no more about it. Ah ." she e.\i [aimed, imi: 
 the condition of in- ri^iit arm. " ;di ! 1 tear von aie wounded, 
 perhaps dantrerously <>!i, Charles! the W<M>T 
 
 may not yet be o\ er :" 
 
 "The \\ r orsl is over, m\ lo\e! sanl lie, m a low \cni:i\ 
 -o tiiat Paddy could not overhear him, " 1 think tins hun
 
 ll tip. < Hi. ( !har Miijch 
 
 you have : e you have been In t ii.-. 
 
 \\ il l 
 
 ven 
 
 \ 
 
 rrawoona s .-.-kuli exl iibi;!".! of ):!. 
 
 lhe lovers " ye-?," 
 
 ! . Tlii-: - 
 
 : m\ niio. requires no morn KK - 
 _ . \Iaria." 
 
 - of -.::! eye. l^nddy, I 1 o ;!-. - 
 
 " 
 
 P.iddy, " ahou! my ev( ; the fellow 
 
 von ; I it. As to th>. worst 
 
 o! it, } rfi lik(. j a t \viif Irmii a 
 
 tree Maria, lend me that .^h awl ; I will sling i I rfUjil -rtalilN 
 to hi.- nrea.- t tiii. we .^et lionie. and then i onnniriilc) \v 
 it as neatly ;is he did my hrok<-n h ir lon:r a 1 .-/), for his liaiids 
 are as V.T!| skilicd iu these matters, as h.is ; van is in nhi 
 losophy." 
 
 Al ;iria hasiily loo -ened hi : ; ha\v] ; and 
 ] :H|I!V i:; !: xinir ( harlc.-- :; l !-i<"tnre wiih it. so \\\:\: ils m 
 liim pain ; ;;i he readied ihe house, whi 
 
 he was a i i: to \valiv stonily enough, was ae< p . SJH.-I - 
 
 (illv :!] .! \viiiio:M Accident.
 
 WII,DKKM;SS. 137 
 
 CHAPTER X1I1. 
 
 O woman ! in our horns of ease, 
 Uncertain, cov. and hard to please 
 And variable a; the shade 
 
 By the Iiirhl <|iiivennsj aspen made; 
 When pain and aiiL uish wring the brow, 
 A njinit ; te.rinji an^ul thou ! 
 
 SCOTT. 
 
 The excitement the mixture ot alarm and joy produced 
 on Charles s arrival at the house oi his kind host, upon the 
 minds of iis inmates, mnst. like many other things hinted 
 at in this history, he left lor ilie reader to imagine. Their 
 joy soon predominated, however, when Tonnaleuka, after 
 hindinir up his arm as art. or rather as nature, suggested, 
 declared that the hurt was not dangerous, and that a lew 
 \veeks of care and uood nursin, r would restore him to as 
 much viijor and soundness as he ever possessed; and they 
 >varmly expressed to Charles the reat satisfaction they felt 
 at this successful termination of his contest with his rancor 
 ous enemv. Paddy also came in for a share of their joyful 
 atteniion, and obtain* i many heariy thanks and eulo<ne.s for 
 is timelv and fortunate interference, with his steady and 
 keen eve, on this occasion. 
 
 ( ioth, man ! said his lather, " it was the besi o-uided an 
 I ickiest aim ye ever took. Ave dra\v \ c re triiryer in sitch 
 
 cause, 1 addv ; aye shoot sharp in favor o yere ain kind 
 o tolk, an dinna sj)ar e the ithers when they wad do mis- 
 i-hief, an I winna say, hut after a ye were horn for a ouid 
 i nd, thoiiL 1 !! \c l! no work christian-like on the Ian . Heth, 
 lad! ye hae a! last done whaf maks me prood o ve !" 
 
 As lor Charles, the assurance lie now had of hem;/ he- 
 loved l>v the mistress ol his heart, and the assiduous at- 
 lentions which, in this period ol Ins allliction, she unhes- 
 natinjrly paid him. a\e him such a deliohilMl How and 
 uoyancy of spirits, thai hr appeared all cheerfulness, ani- 
 13
 
 mation. and gaveiv, happv in himself, and pleased with ail 
 around him. 
 
 Tonnaleuka, who did iiol know tiiat. in. Lad discovered 
 the stale of liana s feelings, naturally ascribed Charles s 
 good humor 10 his having so providentially got rid of his 
 persecutor, to<i e:her with the prospect he now had of enjoy 
 ing a longer residence in the same place with the woman he 
 lo\ ed. 1 1 is mind beinsr now at ease with respect to ( harles ^ 
 saff ty, he was not. of course, so solicitous i or his speedv 
 departure as he had heen ; and the wounded arm making a 
 delay of some weeks necessary, he acquiesced 1:1 i;s pro 
 priety, lie thought it prudent, however, to take an earl\ 
 opportunity of cautioning Charles au ainsi disiuriiinir the 
 present screnitv of Maria s mind by any disclosure of }\\> 
 passion. 
 
 "You know, mv son. said he, tiuit then 1 are diiiicul- 
 ties in the way of \ our union which you may never he able 
 to overcome. How unfortunate would it then he for this 
 young woman to fix her affections upon one whom it is so 
 unlikely she shall ever call her husband. If you wish her 
 well, my son, YOU will be careful to conceal vour passion 
 from her knowledge. 1 know it is. under the circumstances 
 in which you are now placed, a hard task that 1 prescribe 
 to you. There are few votinsr men who could accomplish 
 it; but it yon can do it, so much greater will be your vic 
 tory, and, in the end, believe me, so much greater will lie 
 your self-approbation." 
 
 Father," replied Charles, it would he wronir in me 
 to conceal aught from you. Of my attachment, for her. she 
 is already aware. If you have discovered that she vio\\^ 
 it with indifference, it is my misfortune. But, father, per 
 mit me to say, that, 1 canuol, and I believe no one can, love 
 as I do, without hope. N es, kind-hearted, lovely maiden ! 
 she has given me ground for hope. Ah, father! 1 feel here, 
 within my breast, a presentment, in which I cannot but 
 confide, that this sweet, this fascinating young woman and 
 I are destined for each other. Do not do not, 1 imploiv 
 you, you who are ray best of friends do not, by \ our cold, 
 discouraging injunctions, forbid me to cherish that sacred 
 presentiment, which affords me so much happiness!"
 
 SHE WH.OERNESS 1 lUt 
 
 "My son," observed the prophet, " I am then mistaken 
 
 .! respect to Maria. 1 have lalked 1o her about you, and 
 
 included, from her manner as -\vell as her language, that 
 
 mind . \vas yet at ease. I may have been deceived. 
 
 i Jut you vourseif said you were certain she did not love 
 
 \ on." 
 
 I said so once, my father," replied Charles: - I was 
 ien niiseral)!c 1 believe dili ereniiy now. thank heaven ! 
 .iiid I am happy." 
 
 "Jt it be so," said Tonnaleuka, then the die is cast. If 
 she loves you once i know, her she will love vou lor- 
 cver; ami the onl\" method to secure her happiness, will be 
 lo promote yours, and use everv i air means to clear tin. way 
 for vour union. She has btvn more than a i avoriu; pupil 
 with me. She lias been the very child of mv tuition. I 
 mist forever feel concerned ;n her welfare. Mvson. if von 
 ave her ali ections. vou have, indeed, a valuable pri/e, 
 A hich I trust yon will ever poss,-:--s wisdom enough lo ap 
 preciate justly, and honor enough lo cherish fondly. 
 
 -.\i\ son. 1 iro ojf to-morrow to ihe northward. An 
 Indian council requires my presence in a few days. Jt will 
 >e three weeks before I return hen:-. Von will be then 
 I .mi h recovered, and. under vour present prospects, 1 ex 
 pect \\ id ha\e no objection to proceed soon to Philadelphia, 
 vhere you may smootii ihe wa\ tor the attainment of \ our 
 I uture vieM s. 
 
 iJurmii Tonnaleuka s absence, Charles, wno had, as \ve 
 have seen, cxchanii ed an almosi l)roken hear! for an alto- 
 :cther broken arm, was so rejoiced at such an improvement 
 ii hi-< iii fnirs, tliat he I d: as if all the world was in the 
 \\ ilderness all ot it, indeed, -thai be at this time consid 
 ered necessary to his happiness, namely, Maria Frazier, 
 A as there. 
 
 Since the accidental discover , he had made of her feelings 
 ou a rds him. she Ind not sho\\ n him ihe same ;h\ ness and 
 reserve r : < belore : nay, during the hr<t le\\- davs oi his 
 iracinre, she mamii sicd ioi - him unusual tenderness and 
 sympathy, under the persuasion thai his imslortune was 
 sufficient justification for the disphiv of such feelings. Hut 
 die soon found herself under the necessiiv of abating her
 
 1 40 THE WILDKRXKSS. 
 
 attentions, and sometimes even of avoiding his presence, in 
 order to prevent him from exposing both her :md himself, 
 by an ill-limed display of his fondness; and. also, perhaps, 
 with the view ol keeping alive that respi : of passion 
 
 which lie had hitherto borne lor her, and which she sup 
 posed (for sh" had occasionally a slight tincture uf the prude 
 in her disposition) that too much familiarity would tend to 
 weaken and diminish. JShe. however. kne\v liow to regu 
 late, this slight assumption of diym ly so well, that in place 
 of reserve, il appeared gracefulness, and instead of displea^- 
 m<r, it only the more charmed her lover. Hut she. in real 
 ity, allowed him so many opportunities of enjo\ inir her 
 society, of talking of his love, of his hopes, and of his in 
 tentions with re>peci to her and connubial happiness, tliat 
 lie had. on tlie whole, dnrin<r Tonnaleuka s absence, no 
 reason to complain. 
 
 His love matters, hat is, the matters dearest to his heart, 
 being 1 thus providentially placed on the most favorable foot 
 ing, he be^aii seriously to reflect on the propriety of returning 
 home, that he mi rht not only acquaint the Ohio Company 
 of the misfortunes that iiad befallen their expedition, but 
 also arrange matte; s for a speedy return to the V\ iideiness, 
 with the neeessarv means of making Aiaria his wife, raudy 
 Frazicr, to whom ; :,,)V, r naturally much attached 
 
 him, was desirous to accompany him on his journey, for the 
 purpo-e of carrying h:s furs and peltry wares to Philadel 
 phia, to exchange them there for such merchandise as suited 
 the Indians. This desire of .Paddy was very agreeable to 
 Charles, not only because he would lie both a useful and 
 agreeable companion on the way, but because he would 
 have an opportunity, when they should arrive at Philadel 
 phia, to reward him by a present of merchandise, for the 
 active and dexterous management by which he so critically 
 saved his life ; and, if the whole truth must be told, he also 
 wished to h:ive the means of writinir to his beloved by some 
 safe and speedy conveyance, il it should happen that uncon 
 trollable circumstances compelled him to remain longer per 
 sonally, for he felt assured that he could never be mentalh . 
 absent from her. 
 
 Paddy accordingly having resolved upon this journey.
 
 mi: wn.nKKMvSs. 1 1 I 
 
 considerably to his fathi r s satisfaction, who hoped he mMil 
 tall in with some <rood chrisiiau vroman on the journey, 
 whom he mi j ht brim r back with his other eastern u oods, as 
 lis own property.) was now busied preparing for the ifreat 
 undertaking, by assorting, cleaning , and packing up his 
 wares, and adding considerably to their quantilv. by hastily 
 puivhasinu whatever the Indians in the neighborhood could 
 spare him. 
 
 At length Charles s arm waa sufficiently recovered to per 
 mit him to undertake the journey, and the day drew near 
 when IK; was to bid farewell to his beloved. Tonnaleuka 
 had returned (rom the Indian council which lie had been 
 attendina . and the guide whom be had some time before 
 i led for Charles was in readiness. This man whose 
 name was Alanhulseh. was much in awe of Tonnaleuka, 
 Hid was, at tiie same time, well acquainted with the whole 
 mountainous district of L ehnsylvimi, from the Chesnut ridge 
 ;o tiie South .Mountain, tie was also a tolerably brave man, 
 and could handle a musk .-t or a tomahawk with any indi 
 vidual of his tribe. Hence he was one of the best qualified 
 persons our travellers could have procured, to conduct them 
 i.lirou!/!i the vast, intricate, and appalling Wilderness they 
 iiad to traverse, and his reverence and attachment for Tonna 
 leuka. secured to them the full benefit of his fidelity. 
 
 Although thus well supplied with n nuide, and in every 
 other respect fully equipped for the journey, Charles felt 
 in his heart such a reluctance to commence it, that, under 
 under various pretences, some of which were so frivolous 
 as to be seen through and smiled at, although they were in 
 dulged by his friends, he succeeded, in spite ofall Paddy s 
 ell orls, who was very impatient o proceed, in (retting their 
 starling postponed, from day to day, for upwards of a week 
 aher the tune originally fivd upon for it. At length all pleas 
 and excuses were exhausted, or rather he felt ashamed to 
 advance more; and. becoming resigned to the necessity of 
 separating, for a time, from his heart s best and deaivst trea 
 sure, lie a:"-"cd that the next risino- sun should see him on 
 h;s way. lie had past enpiyed what he considered would 
 be his last private interview, at this time, with Maria, and 
 was wandering, towards the evening, alone in one of ( i ilbert s
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 stood before him the well-known and ioltn - ii of Peter 
 
 M Fall, who. ly caii! . , hand, cx- 
 
 w i Inn e found y< 
 
 your h; , ;;nd feel iiow Peter s heart beats, for Pin 
 
 all out of breath with joy, and wiiii running to see you -dive. 
 liy tiie powers of Moll .Kelly! but i ihoi iiht the ould prophet 
 had ai.cn you to heaven with him and I feared 1 should 
 never see yon again, 
 
 "Had I been taken to heaven, indeed," said Charles, it 
 is likeiy yen never should. I therefore, suppose, Peter, tint 
 my being there ., od and grieved 
 
 you." 
 
 Arrai:, master! now L. . for its true as the 
 
 that 1 \v. . \vished mys; ; 
 
 But mv b csssing or, I . I. st 
 
 are not so badly oil yet." 
 
 "Then you ,;re pleased," observed Charles, "that 1 must 
 fret and fight a little longer whh this troublesome \\orld." 
 
 "By the sweel Itiil of llowth!" replied Petci,--aiul sure 
 I am so and manv u hard liu ht may you iiave oi i;, and the 
 blessing ol Saint Kenan into the. bargain! But master, yon 
 der cumes the doctor who fret my arm in a sliim so neat 
 but how! what! your arm in tapes, too! Not broken! mas 
 ter 1 hope mi an aii ! by my sow], the doctor must cure 
 it. Not broken, 1 hope! 
 
 "Yes broken, but mended again," replied Charles. 
 
 "Mended!" repeated Peter, " och ! sure now, wasn t it 
 a pity to iret ii done so soon, master, before either the doc 
 tor or I Ci ulii get to } on to nx it. Uoe. .or Kdbreath is the 
 best hancl at soldering bones ever came from a coll< ge. Arrah 
 now how how luckv it would have been if you had known 
 we were commas for, sure now, wouldn t you have waited 
 to get the doctor to cure it . 
 
 "It is pretty well as it is, Peter, " observed Charles, "and 
 a good deal better than if I had kept it hanging these five or
 
 i in: wiLDERNtisa. 143 
 
 -ix weeks by flesh and skin, in order to accomodate yon 
 
 Mid the doctor with a job. Hut 1 ben your pardon,!" he 
 i-ontiinied. turning to the snr; eon, who had pist approached, 
 or lie had no; exerted hi 0:1 seeing Charles, with 
 
 nch enthusiasm as done; but coming forward 
 
 at a moderate rale, he ; . this point ol the con 
 
 versation. "Doctor, I be 1 ; your pardon," said Charles, "I 
 was just cxc.u-rm. i; mysell to Peter for not permitting my 
 arm to remain for the last six weeks in a state of fracture, 
 i;i order that you mi^iit now have Hire of reducing 
 
 it." 
 
 ]. ad vou done s >," said the doctor, smiling, "it is ten 
 to one ii yon should now have had any arm to talk about." 
 
 i- \Vhy sure, now, doctor,- observed Peter, he didn t tret 
 them both smashed. Arrah, master, 1 think you stiil would 
 have had on;.- < ; i them to t hew and to talk about." 
 
 1 hope so i Yter, " replied Charles, "I am glad you are 
 so witt} . V, by, you have reae ic doctor in a 
 
 bull; unless ho supposes, that had [paid him the eompli- 
 meni to wail for Ins t jivico-, both ol my aims should now 
 liavi been food for the worms, aiicl consequetly until for me 
 ;o talk about. Hut !ii\ friends, I am i> lad you have come 
 here at such a critical moment, for L u as about setting off 
 ;o-morrow lor Philadelphia. .Now we can :dl <jo together. 
 say you doctor. My -rood friend, Fraxier, who lives 
 here can have you hoe d for the journev in a single 
 
 day. 
 
 There is notiiiiiii 1 wish lor more sincerely, replied 
 the doctor; "the sooner \\ e u el out of these wilds the bet 
 ter. 1 am happy that that \\ e got here so opportunely. 1 
 have indeed, rea.-on to lhank Peter lor it." 
 
 No, by mv sou I !" said pet<T, vou may thank master, 
 there, lor 1 would not have thought ol leaving the French 
 vet. ii liie ould prnpiiel hadn t told me to a .>havii)L , how 
 master lived here \\nha decent cliristian and an Irishman, 
 heaven ble:-s him! hni i must see h.im and shake his ould 
 bone lor him on accouni ol tile sod. 
 
 ( oine alon, f then. Peier," said Charles, "old Cdbert 
 will lie o|ad to see vou. v . under comes his daughter, Nancy. 
 Doctor. \ o:i must take care of vour hear!, lor she s a prettv
 
 THK WILDERNESS. 
 
 girl and 1 know it is rather tempting to meet a pretty girl in 
 the wilderness. > 
 
 "I suppose you have found it so, Mr. Addcrlv." replied 
 the doctor. 
 
 "1 cannot .say much about it," observed Charles, "but I 
 know, doctor, you are no woman-hater and Nancy, as you 
 will soon see, is really handsome." 
 
 "1 acknowledge," leturned the doctor, "Hint in this des 
 ert, I should consider the sight of a handsome young woman 
 a real treat. " 
 
 " Well, take care of your heart, my good friend," said 
 Charles, "for here comes temptation." At this moment, 
 jNaney, who had been in the woods on some errand, and 
 was now reluming home, turned oil in another direction, as 
 if to avoid the men with whom Charles was convcrsinir. for 
 she had advanced m-ar cno iijdi to perceive they were stran 
 gers. Charles called on her to stop, which she did, and the 
 party approached her. 
 
 " Whv do you run away from me, JNancy . " said Charles. 
 "These are some of my old Philadelphia companions, just 
 escaped from Le Boeuf, and one of them is a countryman of 
 your father." 
 
 " My lather will be glad to see them, doubtless," said 
 Nancy. 
 
 "And won t yon too, make them welcome for a couple 
 of days " asked Charles. "Here is Doctor Killbrealh, 
 my friend, who, I hope, will be found a pleasant com 
 panion . " 
 
 "Sir," said Nanev, who had t ikeii one or two sly looks 
 at the doctor, for she had observed his eves fixed upon her, 
 with a meaning she did not exactly understand, but whirl- 
 she thought did not denote anything uncivil. "Sir, 1 will 
 do my best to make your friends comfortable, for I doubt not 
 that they will deserve our kindness." 
 
 "Doctor! why don t yon thank the young lady," said 
 Charles "why, man, you seem to be in a reverie." 
 
 "I feel, I feel her kindness," replied the doctor, rousing 
 up at this reproof; "Aliss Miss Frazier, I assure you I 
 feel your kindness as much as if I expressed it better." 
 
 Whv, I think." observed Nancy, " von express well
 
 THi: \VIT,1>ERXKSS. MJi 
 
 enough what there is, indeed, no need at all of mentioning. 
 i MU should first receive ihe kindness, before you IMVP thanks 
 tor it." 
 
 A_ r h ! let the lasses alone for jiood manners !" cried 
 i eter M Fall. "The pretty creatures can still teach us 
 uenleehty. (od bless the kind hearts of them, for sure my 
 mother was one of them. 
 
 And have you never seen any of them you loved better 
 Man your mother?" asked Charles. 
 
 Well, the devil take me, master, but T have," replied 
 Peter, "but it was in sweet Dublin, your honor. Oeh ! 
 Miere. how I longed, till 1 was bothered almost out of my 
 riiM s. tor a little bit of the cherry lips of Molly M Nickle, 
 "f Thomas street. Arrah, master, just think now how it 
 ^leased me to sit beside her and sing 
 
 i ! Molly Astore 
 
 [in\v inn 1 !; 1 adore 
 The sweet >ini!m _ r t;harms of vour beautiful face, 
 
 On your lovely \vh>te breast, 
 
 Oh ! liiiu fond 1 could rest. 
 And enjoy ;;il the :.; : -; of; 1 . mutual emijrace." 
 
 Uas ! poor .Molly ! she may never hear me a^ain !" 
 The party had now arrived at the house, and a hearty 
 
 hake of (Jilbert .s Iri>h iist soon dispelled from Pttcr .s 
 volatile heart the melancholy which the remembrance oi 
 he happiness he once enjoved wiiii Molly M Nickle luul 
 
 veiled.
 
 THK WILDKRNKSt, 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Sprod, speed for your freedom, the war dot;s are oat : 
 Their scout is a stire one, it marks out your path ; 
 
 Speed, s-peed tor your safety, I hear t.ho tierce .shout 
 Oftho loos who are panting for blood in their wrath! 
 
 BASKET or Sn.u"-. 
 
 Whether (lie writer of a tale should relate more of it than 
 is just necessary to make it easily understood, is a question 
 which I could wish tho critics to decide. It would save an 
 indolent -uuhor, like me. many a half hour s troublesome 
 reasoning and balancing within himself the various pros and 
 cons concerning the nropiioty of narrating incidents, the con 
 nection of which with the "rand thread of his story, mny he 
 somewhat doubtful; hut which, if not narrated, would leave 
 a certain air of incompleteness and obscurity hanu ino- over 
 some transactions and cl ai actors, which must be introduced. 
 It is true, there are many readers, who miodit not observe 
 this want of oonneciiun -for there are indolent renders as 
 wcil fs indolent writers ; hut thero are others who n ould 
 not only observe it, but feel it offensive, and be, in conse 
 quence, heartily inclined to consign the author to unpitied 
 condemnation. 
 
 But who are the critics ? My dear reader, you are one 
 of them ; and if I could possibly have your opinion on this 
 matter, before I write this chapter, the intended subject of 
 which is one of the above perplexing description, I should 
 then know, whether . riving it would please yoi; or not ; and 
 to please you, you are aware, is the great object 1 have in 
 view. But beincr, of course, ignorant ol what may be your 
 wishes on the subject, I can only do what I suppose best 
 adapted to keep you in temper. I will not, therefore, with 
 hold the chapter, lest peraclventure, you miirht desire, to read 
 it, but will tell you the subject, so that, if you should think 
 it has not concern enough with the main story, yon may 
 avoid it, and without either troubling yourself, or vexing 1 me
 
 I UK \V ihiU-Jt.NKHS, 1 i~ 
 
 i>\ \our displeasure, go on with the next, which will be the 
 fcfteenth chapter of this volunit:, and which will carry yon 
 along the path of the history, ruggedly and coarsely enough, 
 [ forewarn yon, hut j assure you, with great fidelity and 
 exactness, liy this management, ] conceive that the only 
 error I shall commit, will be giving to those who mav travel 
 through this work, the choice of two roads for their jour 
 ney ihe one shorter, but a liille more obscure and abrupt, 
 and the other clearer and smoother, but more, winding and 
 ledious. Now, reader, having thus slated the merits and 
 demerits of both these ways of getting onwards, and left it 
 fairly to your own choice, which to take, I think that you 
 cannoi in conscience blame me, if you take the one that 
 you least pleasure . 
 
 The suhjec; of this chapter will bo the adventures of 
 Peter M Fall and i/octor Ivillbreath, in making their escape, 
 from Fort Le Hc-uf, and traversing 1 the wilderness from 
 thence to Gilbert Frazier s. It will consequently have little 
 or nothing to do with the history of either Charles Adderly 
 or Maria Fraxier. You mav. therefore, pass it by if you 
 clioo.-. . 
 
 Although Peler M"F;dl had the fortunafe, laculty oi soon 
 making himself comfortable in almost any situation, yel 
 there were places and persons in the world whose presence 
 lie infinileh preferred to others. For instance, the, air of 
 sweet .Dublin he greatly preferred to that of Le l><euf. and 
 the authority of Charles Adderly to that of the French com 
 mandant. Notwithstanding th s feeling , Peter had not for 
 some weeks afier his imprisonment entertained any desire- 
 to escape. At Fort Le I>u-nf he could eat and drink, and 
 be idle, or when lie pleased, he could he merry, and dance, 
 sing, and frolic awa\ with his nay-hearted jailers, as con- 
 tentedlv and giddily as any oi them. iSiit ihis was because 
 he saw lie could do no heller. If he got out of the tort, he 
 was com ii.ieed that lie could never get out of the unbounded 
 forest that surrounded it. The chance was, that in attempt 
 ing it, he would either perish from cold and want, or fall 
 into ihe hands of the savages, and perhaps meet that terri 
 fying late from which the huiinnilx <>f his present jailers 
 had rescued him.
 
 148 ilit; WiLDKKAKSrt. 
 
 These reflections had prevented him troni harboring am 
 
 desire to escape, until about ihree weeks previous to hy 
 appearing in the presence of his master, as related in the 
 last chapter. An accident, \\hicli befell his fellow-prisoner, 
 Dr. Killhreath, iirst exciied tin; intention to effect both his 
 own and the Doctor s freedom. 
 
 The Doctor had been amusing himself one day in the 
 woods, shooting srame, (for it will be remembered that such 
 liberty was permitted to him on his parole.) when he n ar 
 row Iv esc; ])ed beiiiir killed by an Indian, who shot at him 
 from behind a tree, lie iinmediatelv iired at the assailant, 
 who attempted to run off, and killed him. Five or six 
 savages instantly raised the war-whoop, and the Doctor 
 was nearly seized hv ihem. By swift running 1 , however, 
 he escaped into the fort, which fortunately was at no <:rea! 
 distance, where the French protected him from the imme 
 diate vengeance of his pursuers. The whole tribe of the 
 Otawas, to which the man whom he had killed belonged, 
 were excited to revenue, and made such continued and un 
 appeasable demands upon the garrison for the Doctor s 
 punishment, accompanied with threats, if tliev persisted to 
 refuse, that the commander at length thought that prudence 
 required his compliance. The matter was in consequence 
 submitted to the decision of a council of twelve, composed 
 one half of French and the other of Indians. The latter 
 insisted strenuously that the prisoner should be committed 
 to the ila.me.-:; and. after as much resistance as diey could 
 possibly make, the French were on the point of yielding to 
 a compromise which had been proposed, of having him 
 shot, when the approach of the prophet Tonnaleuka was 
 announced io die council. The Indians received him with 
 profound respect, and the French, on aecoun; of their ex 
 pecting some favorable, result from his visit, witli great 
 cordiality and satisfaction. 
 
 After some minutes of profound silence, during which he 
 alternately pointed his wand towards heaven and towards 
 the council three times, his lips moving in the meanwhile, 
 as if lie were soliciting the dictation of a superior power, he 
 spoke as follows : 
 
 " Mv brothers of the Oiawns ! Ye seem not at this time
 
 1HE U II.DKK.NKSS. 149 
 
 to ivu.iw the will of Maueto. He has seal UK: here to re- 
 v ;il i;. This white m;ui, whom you would sacrifice, has 
 killed one of our brothers. I grieve as ye all do for his 
 death. Bui I must tell you, ;hat the Great Father said he 
 tiiould die l)v the act of this while man, for he himself ex 
 cited that act. Yes. I can lell you, brothers, that he first 
 lnvd at th.: white man, and tin; Grout Spin , in consequence, 
 permitted his death. Do not. therefore, brinij down upon 
 \ on lie vengeance of Manc,o. hy destroying this prisoner. 
 Whv should vou litrht against the Almighty, against the 
 G.v.it Fadier. Otawas, you will be wise, and do as I am 
 ordered by Manelo to direct you, and pardon the prisoner. 
 Brothers, I hope you will obey these directions, for I would 
 grieve much for the calamities that will befall you, if you 
 disobey h-m. You li.i.e heard what 1 was sent to say; 1 
 
 licrs, you will attend to it. 
 
 One of the intli;in counsellors, named Palaro, replied: 
 IVophet ! ;o obey the directions of Maneto, who gov 
 ern-: all things, is our dtitv. 1 believe his words as they 
 have been delivered by you, but all may not believe them. 
 } ou say that MaiH to requires us to let a while man who 
 1 as killed an Otawa, go free. We have not been accus- 
 uii. d to receive such commands from him when, we would 
 sacrifice an enemv to the spirits of the slain, and it is hard 
 i ) let our brother remain unavenged. 
 
 {.Jut, prophet, hear your son ! Is it not fair, in order 
 
 ha! our tribe may be convinced that pardoning our prisoner 
 
 :;<;!.!. to ask what si<rn vou can give of your words 
 
 ihe words oi she Great Spin! . \\hen we can say to 
 
 I tir brothers behold he siun! they will not blame us for 
 
 _;ivino- up tin; pri,s;n;( ;. 
 
 I rophet, you ha\e heart! my suii ii esuon : is it not rea- 
 1 1 1 1 ; i ! 1 1 e 
 
 Tonnaleuka no\v lifted his hands and eves towards heav- 
 
 n. .ml continued in this attitude, with his countenance ex- 
 
 iM-i-ssive of earnest supplication, for several minutes, during 
 
 vhich all eves were tixed upon him with mute attention. 
 
 ile at length spoke audibl \ : 
 
 Thou art, indeed, liind and merciful. I hou dost pity 
 IK ir \veakii( i ss, and pardon their unbelief. Oh! that they 
 1 1
 
 I5U mi-: u II.IM:I:N HSS. 
 
 U ere as merciful as thou art ! then would such ilurst lor 
 vengeance and for each other s destruction cease. 
 
 " Otawas and brothers, hear me ! You have desired 
 proof of my veracitv a .-Mini, by which you mav he con 
 vinced that Maneto forbids the sacrifice of this man. Were 
 ve not afraid that lie would punish such presumption? lie 
 would have punished it, but shows himself merciful, that 
 you mav learn mercy : and he allows me to ffivo you the. 
 sign you ask. 
 
 Listen to me, brothers ! There is a hi^h rock on the 
 shore of Erie, the top of which was rent last summer by 
 the hand of Maneto, when the land shook, and the waters 
 trembled at the thunder. 15eneath that rock, you, Palaro. 
 my brother, had then your wigwam : it. stood uninjured 
 amidst the ao-ony of nature, and you were piously thankful. 
 Brothers! on the third d;-v from this, let three of your war 
 riors proceed to this rock. \ living eagle will be found 
 there, fixed in the breach made by the thunder. Seize 
 him he will be a sacrifice to the memory of your dead 
 brother, and a more acceptable one to his spirit than this 
 prisoner. 
 
 "Brothers! attend to Alaneto. and avoid destruction." 
 
 The council determined to send in search of the eagle. 
 and accept of it ns a substitute for the prisoner, who Avas 
 given over to the charge of the French, on condition that, if 
 no eagle were found, he should be without delay put to 
 death in any manner the Otawas miyht desire. 
 
 Three warriors were accordingly despatched to the rock. 
 who, arriving there at the time directed, found the eagle 
 exactly as Tonnaleuka had described; and to the great sur 
 prise and satisfaction of the French, returned witli it living 
 to Le Bcruf, where the council and a numerous party of the 
 tribe still remained, anxiously waiting for the result. 
 
 Palaro, in the name of the Otawas, now addressed tin- 
 commandant : 
 
 "Father, the Great Spirit, who i? the owner of al! thing s, 
 has thought proper that we should not put the white priso 
 ner to death. We submit, to his will, as his good prophet 
 our brother Tonnaleuka desired us. We have lost a broihf r 
 by the hands of the prisoner, but our brother was himself
 
 I 111. WlI.liLKM-.SS. lf)l 
 
 io Maine. Maneto knew this, and has not permitted us lo 
 iiirn the slayer. 
 
 F;il!i T ! look ;u this oasrle ; it. has been miraculously 
 ; Hind lixed in th.? fissure ol a rock, which the linger of the 
 <ircat Father opened last summer. The Great Father per 
 mits us to sacrifice tins bird to the memory of our brother, 
 in jilace of the. prison, .T. \\ r e will obev him, we will reve 
 rence him, and respect the voice of his prophet. 
 
 Father, we. wish you lo let the prisoner go free." 
 
 The ductor was instantly liberated from his bonds, and 
 HI about lifieen minutes beheld t.ho unfortunate eagle tied to 
 he stake that had been intended for himself, when; amidst 
 a bla/iiijr pile of fagots it was soon consumed in his stead. 
 Hi 1 was, however, forbidden for the future to be seen out 
 side of the ramparts. 
 
 During this sacrifice., the Indians chanted forth with great 
 fervencv the i>lorv of Alanelo, the praises of Tonnaleuka, 
 and the valor of their deceased warrior. The doclor wish 
 ed much to thank the prophet to whom he owed so much ; 
 but Tonnaleuka had left the fort immediately after pleading 
 his cause before the council, and now all he could do was 
 to supplicate the deity for blessings upon his head. But 
 ihe prophet had not withdrawn so hastily as to prevent 
 I eter Ale Fa 11 from obtaining with him a short, but, to Pe 
 ter, a verv satisfactory interview. 
 
 I t icr was standing, a very anxious and deeply interested 
 spectator of the deliberations, when Tonnaleuka entered 
 ddressed the council. He recognized him at once, as 
 ame extraordinary personage that had delivered his 
 m.istiT from the Chippeways, and he immediately conclu 
 ded that the doctor was safe. 
 
 1 will ask him about my master/ 1 thought lie ; -whether 
 he took him to tin- other world or not, sure he won t be ;ui- 
 iirv at, in.- for inquirinfj." 
 
 Peter accordinuh watched his opportunity; and, as the 
 piophct was hasten! Hi: towards the crate of the fort, with 
 hat in liand.be very reverentially approached, and addressed 
 him to the following ell rct : 
 
 Och, now ! I hope your reverence won t be angry with 
 nif, it I ask you a civil <]iiestion . " 
 
 I, i-t thai ciiies!|,)n be hrii-f then. --aid Toim deuk a .
 
 152 THE WILDERNESS, 
 
 "Suppose now. 1 ask you what you (lid with my m 
 when you took liim away from the Chippeways would 
 your holiness tell me " inquired Pete;-. 
 
 ""\Vhat is your name my brother?" asked ihe prophet. 
 
 "Peter M Fall, may it please your worship to com 
 mand." 
 
 "And what is your master s?" 
 
 " Charles Adderly, your reverence. 
 
 Tonnaleuka, now whispered something into Peter s ear, 
 which he ended by enjoinintr him to strict sccresy : adding, 
 " if you reveal it to any one in this garrison, dread my ven 
 geance ! " 
 
 " INJ ay your holiness blast me to pieces," said Peter, 
 earnestly, "if I brea .he a word of it to any woman s son. or 
 daughter either, while I am within twenty mil; s of ibis 
 place." 
 
 But ere he not the sentence finished, the prophet had tie- 
 parted from the fort, and Avas instantly out of siuht. 
 
 " Agh ! lontr life to you, and arc you gone ! ye j( wel of a 
 prophet ! I wish to St. Patrick that I was only clear out of 
 these Avails with you. I could find the Shanapin s-town 
 and then, ten miles up the river, AV]IV, it would scarcely 
 be a hop, step, and iump, to bring me to "But mum s the 
 word." 
 
 So saying, he gave an arch smile, and accompanied the 
 last expression with that very significant gesture of slyness, 
 the placing of one of his fino-ors upon his nose, and then 
 leaped off, singing Avith great glee 
 
 " In Dublin so c.!e\ er, 
 
 liv Liff Vs s\\ ert ri\ er. 
 
 When Aloiiy MuNicklc was civil ; 
 
 With ki>?in^ and Jnurrliinsi, 
 
 And whiskey-punch quaffing, 
 
 Old care I sent smack to the devil ! 
 
 From this moment. Peter resolved by some means or 
 other, speedily to attempt his escape. He had the determi 
 nation fully formed in his mind bv the time the doctor s 
 fate Avas decided ; and the ea<_ r le Avas not yet altogether con 
 sumed amidst Ihe flame, when be accosted his fellow-priso 
 ner :
 
 1H1. \\lLDKli\K.SS. I U,$ 
 
 By my sowl ! my dear doctor, but the fellow fries well. 
 Oeh ! botheration to them that would have roasted your 
 precious llesh in his stead, in that horrible bonfire. Sure, 
 now. i couldn t have stood to see the fat melting from your 
 cracklinir bones, like grease dropping from a lei: of roast 
 mutton. The devil take me now, dear doctor. don t be 
 frightened." for the doctor had actually turned pale at this 
 coarse representation of what was so nearlv bein<j; his fate; 
 which Peter perceiving, (rave him a sly wink, and said 
 "Oeh. now ! come a Ions:, I just want to s})dk>: with vou, 
 to comtort vou a bit . 
 
 So saving, he half drained the doclor to a convenient 
 plaee. where he acquainted him with the determination he 
 had come lo, of escaping trom the fort, and the ease with 
 wh eh he believed h" could in three or four davs, at furthest, 
 
 esidenee, and invited him to join 
 in the en! \ prise. 
 
 , he doc or considering thai, he was now under no obli 
 gation Irom parole, and thai while he continued in the yar- 
 rison, he was still in danger ol some accident taking place 
 which mi (.Hi l ao ain expose him 10 ibe awful fate from which 
 he had bei-n just saved, by an absolute miracle, agreed at 
 one to i 1 me isu re. 
 
 l ort !,e Bir-uf was situated upon the bank of the western 
 branch of French ( reek. ll occupied about, a rood of 
 (round, and was sin-rounded b\ a stockade circumvallation, 
 made of strong piles driven close io each oilier into die earth, 
 sharpened at the top. and more than twelve feel hi<rh, wilh 
 port-holes for cannon, and loop-holes for small arms, cut 
 through them. The garrison, at this time, consisted of 
 about two hundred men, whose cooking, washing, tv,c. lhe,-e 
 bein<_ r but. few European wiiiiien amoiio- them, were princi 
 pally pertormed b\ squaws, who had learned a snialteriin 
 ol ihe French Ian j. ua.^e. 
 
 : oiil of this stockade, \\-as the question, upon 
 which 1 eler .\! Fall now for about live or six davs exer 
 cised his inirMiuily. he end of lhai time, however, bv 
 din! ol personal explori itr, ralher than dunking, he resolved 
 it to his own satisfaction. He had discovered a small sewer 
 ominencini/ in the \;ird of a u a :h-!ionse. v^iiicli \vas occu- 
 I I"
 
 154 THE VJLDERXF.SS. 
 
 pied hv a numbe;- of squaws in the service 1 of the o-arrison. 
 I his sewer hud IK-MI made lor the purpose of carrying olf 
 to the creek, the waste water that had been used in wash 
 ing. The distance from ils entrance to its outlet upon the 
 bank of the creek. Peter conjectured to be about ten or 
 twelve vards. il was ih;v.u. !i this passage !ia! he contem- 
 
 
 
 plated making his escape. it was. indeed, so narrow, lie 
 perceived, as scarcely to adinii his body: and from the daily 
 flow of dirty water that passed through it. it was an abso 
 lute puddle of mud, and fillhiness. The softness, and spun- 
 inuess, however, which the l;:!ter circumstance occasioned. 
 he calculated would facilitate his passage, bv enabling him 
 the more easily to dray his body through. The onlv ob 
 stacle that perplexed him, was a strong iron oraiin^ dial 
 was fixed over ils entrance. This, lie however was deter 
 mined to overcome hv some energetic eli orl. His chief 
 difficulty was in persuading the doctor as to ihe practiba- 
 bility of the scheme. At leuulh, when the latter perceived 
 that no reasoning would prevent Peter from tr\ ino- it. he 
 determined not to desert him. hut to assist all he could, al 
 though he anticipated all the evil emiseijuences of complete 
 failure and detection. 
 
 la pursuance of this resolution, having secretly provided 
 a small haof full of provisions, and a couple of spades, they 
 one dark niifht, about two weeks alter the doctor s rescue, 
 when all the garrison, except the sentinels, had irone to 
 sleep, scaled the low wooden fence that surrounded the 
 washer-woman s vard. and commenced their operations by 
 dicing a hole close to the irraie, sufficiently hi rue to admit 
 their entrance. As the ground was soft, and Peter an ex 
 cellent spadesman, this was only the work ot about fiiieen 
 minutes, and into the mud-bottomed pit he plunged, without 
 hesitation, head-fore:noi ; !, (b au iiinu-. b\ means of a stiou^ 
 cord attached to it, the bag of provisions after him. The 
 doctor had now nothing for it. but to follow. 
 
 For the first three or four vards, they swam or paddb d. 
 like ducks, in the stagnant water which had here collected 
 to the deptli of eight or ten inches, on account of some de 
 ficiency in its fall towards the creek. But this was t!u 
 "isiest pnvi of their progress, for during " rem;nnd" .\
 
 ; found tli! 1 pass;i<ro so sni:ill. thai it required ;ill hi: 
 perseverance ;nul strength, to squeeze himself forward; 
 \\ Inch, lio\vc\ er. lie persisted in doiinj. and ;it last, will; 
 incredible labor, and no! \vithou1 </reat fjitigue, and sorenest 
 ni both iloh ;ind bones, lie arrived at the open air on the 
 bank ol the creek. The doctor hein< ; a smaller man. found 
 less dillieulty in passing, especially as the efi orts ot Peter 
 leared the \vay lor linn. 
 
 Although enveloped in a complete vesture of mud ant! 
 (iii". our adventurers did not \vait to wash themselves in the 
 creek, but taking to the woods, hastened on as speedily as 
 I he darkness and the numerous iindedimenis of the way 
 ,vould permit, towards the Allegheny river. Daylight over- 
 ook them while yet in th; 1 intricacies ol the forest, when 
 iciiiir lio h hunjjry and fatigued, they thoughl pi :per to 
 ii|o\ some ol such (are as their bat> - a.ftorded. and then to 
 repose tliemselves for a few hours. \boiit noon the\ aifain 
 ede j. ayd continued their journey till the e\enin<r; 
 when resolving not to undergo the fatigue of anoieer niiiflit, 
 struiril lino amidst brush-wood, swamps, and fallen tiudier, 
 the\ selected a place of shelter, and by coilectiiia together a 
 ijuaiiiity ol (\i~\~ leaves, made themselves as comfortable a 
 hi-;! as thev could, on which their fatigue and lon wakeful- 
 ness, enal)led them to sleep soundK till the niornini:. 
 
 Alier three da\ s ii oi;! !i -nine murnrx iiso- m :!ns manner, 
 during which, they became some I >.\a :~ a I raid el nut hem;/ on 
 ilieii propel course, the\ arri\cd at t!ie Alle lieiH rivcir, 
 a .-horl distance lielo\\ iis i onliuei)(;e \vith r reiich creek. 
 i Viiin tlicnce thev kept dosvn the stream of the rher for 
 up\\ard.s ol lour days, and it \\as the ninth Irom their leav 
 ing iie lUeul, before thev mel with Charles, as already 
 staled
 
 I Hi: \VII..I)KRNKSS. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Survev his front, where wisdom sits serene. 
 And the bright flashing of his fearless eve; 
 
 That gallant port, that rn.iJHstv of mien, 
 
 Wind) promise needs ot unsurpassed emprise, 
 Such as to minstrelsy its fondi-st theme supplies, 
 
 And (in ins the j)ulni th > world may not deny. 
 
 Ji.ASK F:T 01- SCR APS 
 
 Tin: dourest to r-ndi other are often doomed to part. Jt 
 is one of the evils incident to humanity, and one from winch 
 all th- ihy in he world \vill not relieve us. The 
 
 best way, therefore, to meet ihe evil is. to do i; courageously, 
 and philosophize no:hing about it. 
 
 Charles Addevly, on this occasion, did so; and in conse 
 quence, he succeeded in separating from Maria, with a 
 reluctant heart, il mn-t l.e confessed, bul not with a des 
 ponding one. 
 
 His pariy, consisting of himself, Dr. Killbroath, Padclv 
 Frazier, Peier M i ;ill. und Manliniseh, their Indian oiiide, 
 commenced their journey on the thir:i day ai cr I eier and 
 tli" ! /nctor htid niTived nt l- i-axier s. Besides the iiorses on 
 which they rode, they had ;:io:r.r with I ICMII ihree others, 
 two of which were laden with Paddv s merchandise, and 
 the third with provisions and other t; - a \ ellino; stores. They 
 were of course \veli armed foi 1 in those days, no one ever 
 thought of attempting a journev, of even n short distance, 
 through the Wikler". - - -, without being pro] irepared 
 
 lor both defence and attack. 
 
 On the third day they crossed the Chesnut Rid ire, and 
 encamped that mirht between it and the Laurel Hill, in what 
 is now called Li;ronicr Valley. As tliev were about con- 
 tinuinir their journey the next morning, they were unex 
 pectedly attacked bv a small party of Oiawas. whom the 
 French had despatched to scour the country in pursuit of 
 Peter and the Doctor. The savages, however, had given
 
 THE WILDERNESS, 157 
 
 their lire at too great a dit: nee to rio any serious mischief. 
 
 i wo nl their shots feebly pierced through a package of 
 
 I addy s furs, and another slightly wounded one of the 
 
 dorses. The rest fell altogether harmless. Eaeli of our 
 
 \-;\\ ellers immediately took to a tree, and kept up such a 
 
 well-directed lire upon their enemies, when any of them 
 
 ; :arecl to appear in sight, that the latier thought proper, 
 
 bout mid-day, to withdraw, after having lost live or six of 
 
 liieir number, who were killed on the spot. 
 
 Our party then cautiouslv proceeded onwards, keeping 
 tin nil direr-lions a good look out, which obliged them to 
 travel so slowly, that they only reached the top of the 
 Laurel Hill that night. I [ere they encamped on a spot 
 .vhere tlic\ could not he easily surprised, and Charles, 
 i qualh with ihi 1 resl, took his turn in wavhin;.. as s?en- 
 ii!-l (luring the nigh;. 
 
 The savages, however, during ihe preceding day, had 
 - d so hitler!;, of their intrepidiix . that they had no relish 
 >r more of it, and they were not molesied during the re 
 mainder of their journey, which they performed, without 
 }( , innf with any serious disaster, in about four weeks. 
 
 The account which Charles jjave to the Ohio Company, 
 if ihf fate of their expedition, which he ascrilied altogether 
 in the jealousy and management of the French, made a great 
 noise in the political work!, and produced much excitement 
 iliroujjhout all the colonies. Cut there was none of them 
 hat look up the matter with greater spirit than Virginia. 
 That state, indeed, did then, as it does still, possess a high- 
 minded and courageous population, that could not tamely 
 ulimit to any insult or encroachment upon their rights : 
 nd ihe territory thus usurped by a hostile force being then 
 nn<idered as within the bounds of her charter, she felt her- 
 -eif called upon both to demand satisfaction for what had 
 ieeii done, and to take measures for resisting such aggres- 
 ions lor the hit tire. 
 
 But, although die public mind continued, during the whole 
 
 if the spring and summer succeeding :he occurrences we 
 
 ,iave related, to receive Iresh and repeated provocations 
 
 mm Indian incursions upon the back settlements, especially 
 
 n the Virginian territories, V et the colonial governments
 
 thought proper m delay making any public effort to restrain 
 i>r punish these depredations, until they should receive in 
 structions ori the subject from the govern men t of CUT;)! 
 Britain. Thev had reason, indeed, to presume thai the re 
 monstrances which they knew the IJritish ministrv would 
 make to the French <rovernment, would induce the latter to 
 recall, and perhaps chasiis.e, their Canadian servants lor the 
 outrages they had committed on the subjects of a power 
 with which ihev wen 1 then in a state; of peace and amitv. 
 At all events, ihey wished to bo fully authorized by their 
 own trovernment to make whatever opposition they should 
 find necessary, whether by force or otherwise, to put a stop 
 to the unwarrantable proceeding s of the French. 
 
 \\ itli respect to the hostile Indian.-, small parties of militia 
 and volunteers were, indeed, immediately employed, but in 
 a very inefficient manner, against them; and for several 
 months, the terror and sufi eriiitrs of the \ irffinia back- 
 settlers continued dailv to increase. 
 
 At length Mr. Dinwiddie. the (iovernor of Virginia, re 
 ceived intelligence that liie French government manifested 
 a very suspicious reluctance to give any satisfaction to the 
 British on the subject at issue, and he was authorized to 
 use his discretion in brinirinu the auuressors to an account 
 for what they had done. A national war, however, at this 
 time was not to be wished ; at al! events, he resolved not 
 to act rashly in kindling its (lames, but. to convince the world 
 that every tiling had been done, consistent with the honor 
 and dignity of the British crown, and the prosperity and 
 safety of its subjects, to prevent such a calamity. He, there 
 fore, thought it expedient, before he should have recourse 
 to actual force, to send an envoy to the commander at Fori 
 Le BoMif, to whose instrumentality the late outrages had 
 been particularly charued, for the purpose of demanding 
 from him in the name of his Britannic .Majesty, an expla 
 nation of his hostile conduct towards British subjects, and 
 some satisfactory security that it should not be repeated. 
 
 It was, at that crisis, very dfiicult to find any one proper 
 ly qualified for such an embassy, willing to undertake it, 
 a circumstance which, if the nature of the country and the 
 state of the times be considered, will not be thought surpri- 
 
 VI
 
 I III-: \\ ri.DKUNK.Ss. I .> . 
 
 ing. A distance of several hundred miles through a track 
 less and rugged wilderness of woods, inhabited only by 
 . avaoes, the most of whom had of late become inveterately 
 liostile to the English name, had to lie traversed. Pso Eng 
 lish white man it was thought, could then penetrate into 
 these wilds and return alive, unless by the aid of a mere 
 miracle ; for even the traders, that had formerly been rather 
 invited than forbidden to frequent the country, and were in 
 most instances kindly enough treated by the natives, had 
 latterly been often plundered and sometimes massacred, for 
 no other reason than their being Kngiish. There were in 
 Virginia, no doubt, numbers of patriotic and gallant spirits, 
 whom danger alone could not have deterred from the under 
 taking. But various other motives operated on their minds, 
 .Many were opposed to the measure altogether, as betraying 
 imbecility, and want of promptitude and wisdom. They 
 exclaimed against the folly of sending such an embassy into 
 the midst of a barbarous race of men, who neither knew, 
 nor cared for, the sacred character of embassadors ; and 
 alleged, that it was worse than madness, even if the mes 
 sengers should happen to perform their errand in safety, to 
 expect any favorable result from the enterprise. 
 
 .No," said they, "if we go at all into the haunts of these 
 savages, let us go sword in hand, and drive them and their 
 chnstian allies together out of their dens with the bayonet 
 and the rille. We should negotiate with such enemies only 
 with the mouths of cannon." 
 
 Domestic concerns and family interference prevented oth 
 ers, who might not have the same objection to trying the 
 effects of negotiation and remonstrance, before the drawing 
 of that sword, whose unsheathing might involve two power 
 ful nations in all the evils of a tedious and sanguinary war, 
 
 In short, (iovernor Dinwiddie, after he had decided on 
 the poprioty of the measure, found so much difliculty in 
 finding any one qualified for the hazardous service, \vdlmg to 
 undertake it that he began to harbour thought.- of abandon 
 ing the idea, especially as the winter season was approach 
 ing, until the ensuing spring. 
 
 As he was one day in his private apartment, meditating 
 with considerable anxiety on bis subject, he was informed
 
 160 THE WlLUi:il.\fcSS. 
 
 that a very respectable looking younu man n;qu;: -ted admit 
 tance t() Ins presence. The jMivernor desired luiii lo he; 
 shown into ;t front cnamber, where he in a lew minutes at 
 tended him. 
 
 The governor, although, as we have i-een, Ins mind had 
 been rendered unea:-y l>y contemplating the unfortunate as 
 pect ol a favorite and importan t measure, saluted the strati 
 j er with much complaisance : lor notwithstanding his youth, 
 being appaiently not ab;>ve twenty years of a>re, there was 
 in his manner and aspect an air of dignity and intelligence, 
 with which the u overnor was struck, and before winch any 
 feelino; of ill-humor that miylit have ari.< n I rom the un 
 pleasant nature of the reflections from which he ii-.nl been 
 interrupted entirely yave way. 
 
 As this younir man will make a considerable fiirure during 
 the remainder of this history, it is presumed that a descrip 
 tion of his appearance on this occasion will not be unac 
 ceptable to the reader. 
 
 His stature was exactly six fee , and bis form a happy 
 medium between the usual slenderness of youth and the 
 more rounded muscularity of manhood. His chest \yas al 
 ready somewhat full and expanded, as if to make room for 
 a ii! eial and capacious heart. His limbs were in just pro 
 portion to the rest of his frame, and so free aud uninciim- 
 bered in nil their motions, as to o-ive a peculiar frraceliilness 
 lo ins irait and o-cstures. His shoid.ie:^ were broad, but 
 finely shaped, and harmonizing so well witli ihe stateliness 
 and ju: i symmetry of tiie f-ther jiarts. of ins ii^ ire, as to im 
 part to the wiiole an extraordinary decree of dignity and ma 
 jesty of mien; and indicating, ul the same time, sir. 
 hardihood, and activtiy. 
 
 With respect to his countenance, if ever ihere. was uiie 
 that expressed hue nolileiies? and masJiianimity of SIM.;!, it 
 was his. It was of the oval lorm, witii a remarkably lnsih 
 forehead, which was open, serous, kind, and candid. His 
 sparkling blue eyes displayed the fire of pa-sion, combined 
 with the coolness of wisdom, while the movements, of his 
 d the beholder, that in eveiy
 
 1 HE WILDERNESS. 161 
 
 partaking of both, and it was, perhaps, this feature which 
 mo-t forcibly impivs-ed the beholder with the idea of his 
 fearle*-; intrepidity and umii \ iating intc^riiy. But it was 
 in the expression of his mouth that the benevolence, gener 
 osity, and tenderness of his nature weic chiefly to be seen ; 
 for his were lips to which no one, could ever impute the utter 
 ance of falsehood, calumny, or even unnecessary censure. 
 Mi* chin wa< muscular, round, and full, but agreeably cor 
 responding with ihe general conionr of his cnunK nance. 
 As to iiis complexion, it was at this time slightly sunburnt, 
 but stili affording a pleasant mixture of that fa i rues-! and 
 ruddines:- which is so becoming in youth, am! which j/ener- 
 nllv betokens an originally healthy and still unbroken con 
 stitution. 
 
 His dress was- at once modest and Dented, affecting in no 
 par icular eitin r to despise, or to be fastidiously imitative of 
 the fashion of th" day. It was neither <jamly, nor slovenly, 
 but such as a -jentleMian u !io, while he does not despise his 
 person, seems conscious that liis mind i* his better parl, 
 lui^ht be expected to wear. When we h.ive said this, and 
 wi en we add that it was a mourning-dress, (for this young 
 gentleman had lately :->uve,cded to the ample estate of a de 
 ceived, tenderly beloved, and much lamented f-ldt-r In-other,) 
 the reader \vi!! eas>i\ ii^i.iM! it to himself, without our giving 
 
 f \ irgini.i, and descend- d from oiie of 
 ct. .ble f:imi!i .- in that iTovhve : but in the 
 nior Dinwiddie on this occasion, such a youth 
 deanv family te^pectable. f!i- : name was 
 i-\ci o\ ,i n i:ne \viiieii i.-, L: OW svnonyn 
 virlue, >.:sd to pronounce \vhicii is to < ido^i/.". 
 After the usual salutation w.s over, Mr. Wt^litngton pro- 
 sented an introductory letter from a valued friend of the gov 
 ernor, wh > immediately read it as follows : 
 
 "May it plea-e your Excellency, 
 
 "This letter will be handed to you by Mr. George 
 
 "U a-hington, of Mount V >-rnon, a young gentleman of whom 
 
 1 doubt not report has airc.idy spoken favorably to you. For 
 
 my.-elf, 1 profess to feel a high respect fur his promising ta- 
 
 15
 
 tents, and a still higher for tint stead} c onduet, unsullied va- 
 tue, and : ;troiiL> sense oi honor v.diic,h have hitherto marked 
 his character. 
 
 To speak thus decisive!} in behalf of so youn;;- a man, 
 ma} seem to your excellency, to be a somewhat overstrained 
 recommendation, but if I know any thtiiH of the character,-- of 
 men, 1 am convinced that in giving credit to Mi 1 . Vfa-hrisj- 
 ton for ail die virtues a;;d talents my language may ascribe 
 to him, yen wil 1 yi ursell deci iv<-d. 
 
 Tne ardor oi liis patriotic feelings, logeth r with his 
 commisciating the distresses tnuKr which <>ur back-settlers 
 now labor, and, no doubi, a hiudahh. 1 ambition to signalize 
 himself in doing <j;ood to his country, induce h:ui to solicit 
 w!rr. he is !:n ! so r name aud pre- 
 
 tensions have lately reft; -inmesit of envoy to 
 
 the French commandant ai J.e Bcrni. 
 
 Should it p! ur excellency to /oni ide to him die. 
 
 management oi that arduous and important mission, 1 am pi r- 
 suaded that young, and consequently inexperienced, as lie, 
 is, you v. ill have no reason to regret having done so ; lor, I 
 believe, that il prudence, intrepidity, and perseverance in 
 the attainment of the public good can succeed, whatever en 
 terprise he con;!ucts must be successful. 
 
 " 1 have the honor to be, your excellency s sincere friend 
 and most obedient, humble servant. 
 
 "Why! 3,Ir. Washington," observed the governor, when 
 he had done reading, " this is really a complimentary letter, 
 
 but Mr. is a good judge of characters, and I believe, he 
 
 has not mistaken yours. Your brother was a brave man, 
 true to his country, and I think that you cannot be inferior 
 to him. AVhen would it suit you to go on tins mission . 
 
 At a day s, warning, whenever your excellency ordeis " 
 
 Suppose let me see this is Tuesday the 23d day oi 
 October. In a week from this date could you be ready !" 
 
 "To-., orrow to-day ibis hour and at all hours, i am 
 at the service of niv country. You are her monarch s re 
 presentative ; order me when you choose. But if I might 
 suggest any thing in tin..; matter, it would be promptitude 
 and expedition Your excellency is aware thai the reason 
 requires it. "
 
 \ ounjr man ! my friend has not been mistaken in his 
 n itc of your c haractf r. \ our ardor in this case is wis 
 dom. \ our i ountry has been fortunate ir, giving you birth ; 
 for I perceive, ii heaven spanks you, that you will lie holh 
 her bles-ini; 1 and b.cr b.nast. Had I known of you only t\vo 
 inon hs .-ooner, this mission might now have boon suceess- 
 fiiHy t rmimited : but name your ilav, and ever;, thins; shall 
 iviilecl." 
 
 " h is your excellency s riuht to name it." 
 
 " "\Vell, then, lei it bo this day week; your commission 
 iiV tructio he iimnediatelv prepared. Bui, toll 
 
 mo, h. Ve you thought of the dangers and diftieu! 
 
 i have thouo-lu of thtMii seriously, sir." 
 
 And they dont t make you hesitato ? 1 
 
 -Xn .hin-r. I Irusf, will (;ver make me hesitato to do my 
 duty." 
 
 I am satisfied," observed the (governor. "It lias been 
 perhaps fortunate ;hat ;!;;: perils of the undertaking have 
 deterred others from en^air nn: in it whose services I should 
 have ii atHy accepted. Til - deluv may not have been lost 
 to our eoun .ry, sine;; it his brouijht you i orward to her ser- 
 viee ; a.nd iliat backwardness to serve in this ease, which 1 
 !f a;i hour a^o lamented as an evil, may in reality turn 
 o.it to be a ;: ueiit. M v voun^ frieiul, 1 shall now detain 
 you no lono ., Is il shall be. sjlail if von eome to s[)ei;.i the 
 evening whh me." 
 
 \V i ih your excellency s, permission, I should rather re 
 turn to Mount \ ern on to aiT.uun: some matters, so that 
 nothing on mv part mav retard the expedition." 
 
 You can return to-morrow : on,; day wilt make no dif- 
 ferenci. , and you will have .-uiii/ient time to be back here in 
 a week. If von sliould !je a day longer, it will not be ciiar^- 
 d upon yon." 
 
 ^ our excellency wiii excuse me: but 1 cannot remain 
 to-iii . IK; that some public business requires mv 
 
 n
 
 THK \VILDI-:n\KSS. 
 
 embark in ibis service a single evening will be of no con 
 sequence." 
 
 " I should, indeed, feel happy and honored in your excel 
 lency s society," observed the young hero. " hut 1 am now 
 lie service \vhich requires expedition ; 
 and I confess that, unless my going" off instantly to make 
 pro- j-,:i- [] (jive von more displeasure than, if I have 
 
 rnv knowledge of your character, I think it will, I should 
 mud! rathe r depart; for I must ever make it a rule, that 
 when duty is to he performed, no time should be lost upon 
 pleasure." 
 
 "My friend," replied Dinwiddie, "be ever thus proof 
 against temptation. I esteem you the more tint you have 
 resisted MV- wishes on this r ; tint. He as expeditious as you 
 please, and inoy heaven prosper vonr zeal ! I shall trv to 
 imitate you in getting evcrythinir read}- without d 
 
 Washington no\v withdrew, -and immediately hastened 
 home to make the best use lie could of his time, in both 
 arranging his private affairs and in providing for 1 he per 
 formance of his public duty. 
 
 When lie was out of s|fjht 4 Dinwiddie could not h^lp 
 exclaiming "Admirable young man! you will yet he of 
 more service to Your countr than n thousand mines of
 
 niAPTFtt XVI. 
 
 is a tic, \vl fore; 
 
 The power of lengthened years defies; 
 There is a ihoicj; 1 !! wliose stayless course 
 
 A dearer tide of : ie suppi ics, 
 } han sivcs to other thoughts their source ; 
 And davs oi glootn may intervene, 
 
 Like ocean s waves it.- ili^hi to stay, 
 \nd distant climes may come between 
 
 Thev cannot mils! nut check its way! 
 And there s a cord \\hich love entwines 
 
 I nconscionsly roand kindred hearts, 
 \Viii:-ii length of absence hut refines, 
 
 A nd death aione forc\ er pa rts. 
 
 r.T OF SciiArs. 
 
 How it is that the female heart, when in love, can more 
 successfully control us affections, at least the display of 
 when their object is present, and snmof with all his 
 miirht, for soni.- little symptom of reciprocal fondness than 
 when he i.- absent, and cannot witness, and, consequently, 
 cannot LMIJOJ such endearments ! will not stop to explain; 
 and, perhaps, for tlie very o-oe.d reason, that I cannot do i , 
 to my own satisfaction. \}\\\. I ean state, that alien 1 Charles 
 Addcrly s departure h om (he \\ ilderness, Maria I razier 
 experienced that .-he possessed this feminine .jnalitv in per- 
 
 
 llc \v;is not man\ mo, wlien his ima^e took sneh 
 
 lid! and lorcihle [lossosion of her mind, iha.! \vhelher she 
 Hied iiy niii ht, or meditated by day, that linage was s;iil 
 |;ie--i. ni \\ i:ii her. li haunted her in her rambles, it eno-rtiss- 
 ed I , .mil disturbed her .! votions ; and whether 
 
 her, an;i wiia! wa> i;i ,dl respects as extraordinary, she never 
 wished il >, .-he rhei i-hed ii I ee!]\ in he;- 
 
 he, 111; it u a.- . care, her onlv comlort, and lier only 
 
 I oy. Tho iiJih .-h:, 1 daied hardly venture to expect that she 
 !:V
 
 166 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 should ever see him rurnin, ye) sh< iHt thai without him the 
 Y\ ildcrness was cheerless, life insipid, and the \\ orhi a blank. 
 II< j r fears lint he si .rn were vrt it, hut ihey 
 
 arose P.O! !10 :i - n-(. tli) _r the r-incenly 1111(1 Ull- 
 
 changeahleness ve for her, bin from the numerous 
 
 knew HO mi!?; eiu ounlor and 
 
 o\e.reome lieloie he could relrare ihe dread and savai/e- 
 haunted wilds that now separated them. 
 
 She. however, succeeded tolerably well in ce ici alinir 
 the.-e feelings Ironi the observation of all her friends, except 
 Nancy, who, perhaps, on account o bem<j actuated by some 
 feelings of the s;Miie kind, for a difFerenl object, hi;; one also 
 now at a distance, the UK. re readily sr.r-pected her sisier ; or, 
 if it he true, that the pap<rs ol love a>c always relieved bv 
 lieinir poured i:ito the ("M" of a confidant, .Maria may have 
 voluntarily intrusted her with her scere!. 
 
 \\illi respect to ^Nancy s own case, Dr. Killbreath had 
 found means, during h,is short abode with her, not onh to 
 .:onvin< e her . < , she possesse ! his h-.-ari, ixit ;.lso to obtain 
 n,i^s(-ssion of hers. In cons: ! tlii-, although the; 
 
 feeling with which she remembered the doctor was not so 
 very deep and acute as that with which M-irh remembered 
 Charles, yet it was sufficient to make her sympathize >o 
 sincerely with her si.-ter, as induced the latter to coniide her 
 r-orrowf, and her love, !e. her secres\-. ."Nancy returned the 
 favor by a reciprocal confidence, which, perhaps, did more 
 to keep alive the doctor s interest in h"r heart, by occasion 
 ally affording her opportunities to talk of him, than any im 
 pression his addresses while with her had made. 
 
 .Maria s affection fur Charles Adderly did not require any 
 such stimulus of conversation to preserve it, during his ab 
 sence, from decay. 1 1 was an affection which no tune no;- 
 distance could diminish, for it was planted in a mind as con 
 stant, lender, sincere, and unchangeable in its attachments, 
 as any woman ever possessed. It mio-ht, perhaps, lie for 
 this reason, that, although she felt more acutely, she talked 
 less freely, on the subject of her feeling than Nancy. Nay, 
 sometimes she felt more enjoyment in meditating alone upon 
 her lover s perfections, as they appeared to her imagination, 
 than in conversing about them, But often the disposition
 
 r H E w 1 1 , n K R M . s K . 1 6 7 
 
 . 
 
 I p wards of four months passed on in this manner, and 
 .Maria had not heard from her lover, for Paddy had not yet 
 returned from Philadelphia, and she was becoming very un 
 easy ;o ascertain his safely. 
 
 Surely," 7 thought she, -if they had reached Philadel 
 phia alive, Paddy would have returned before now, and 1 
 should have heard of Charles. The Indians, alas ! hated 
 him ihev may have taken him they may have put him 
 to death, a cruel death, when Tonnaleuka could not be near 
 to save him. It is true the prophet has discovered that the 
 marauders were disappointed in their attempt near the Laurel 
 (lill but they may have succeeded elsewhere, for it was a 
 lon<: Wilderness they had to traverse. Heaven, grant thai 
 my tears may be unfounded !" 
 
 At length, to the great joy of all Frazier s family. Paddy 
 arrived, accompanied by J)r. Killbreath, whose desire to 
 revisit Nancy had rendered him easily persuaded to join 
 her luother in trading wi .h the Indians. Thev, there-lore, 
 brought with them in partnership a large and valuable as 
 sortment of goods, not only suited lor the Indians, but also 
 fur the French, with whom Paddv was desirous to open a 
 trade, because lie expected thai it would be lucrative. and 
 that it might be the means of preserving their friendship, 
 which he was very anxious to secure, since they were now 
 become the lords oi the i orest. As ;o the danger the doctor 
 was in of falling again into iheir hands, he believed that it 
 could be ea-il\ remo\ed. by a present to the commandant 
 at l,e IJu uf. willi a declaration that the doctor wished to 
 s tile as a trader in the \Yilderiiess, under the French pro- 
 tt ction. 
 
 Near the North "Mountain they met with several Indians 
 who would. ;;o duiiht, have ait;ickeil and plundered, and 
 perhaps massacred them, ban MMIIO oi them not. known 
 Padd\. who. speaking tiieir language freelv, managed mat 
 ters so well \\r,h tiieni. ihat ihe.v agreed, for a present of a 
 few blankets and some trinkets, to escort him home,
 
 ii IVmcy was rejoiced to see her dear doctor come back 
 ao ain, IIP w;-s no less so to find hi in- - If once more safe under 
 her 1 atlifr s roof, with the prospect oi beini>- permitted lo 
 remain there unmolested b\ either l!ie Fn-nch or Indians. 
 
 Bui the pfrcn source of Maria s \\ \ 
 she !io\\ had of IK r lover . He had transmit! 
 
 her a ] \ ariou.s books ol : :,. such as 
 
 of .Pope, Tho:i:- J on. Addis:)! 1 
 lie knew she ls:ui 1101 seen, and was , 
 
 J here were :;i -. \ aiue, as 
 
 jewelry, articles of dross, &c., which n : particu 
 
 larized. The c had be< u inii usted to the care of i 
 Killbreath. \vho punci.ialh obeved his : , liaiul- 
 
 insr them to h> r in private. Hut the <nl; whii-h afforded li"i- 
 l)v iar the jjrea , 
 
 by her Cl n ];a n;i. 
 
 In l! , -etl ; ;i r of or of 
 
 !li:- ](>-( . \, 1 h:!:l CXI 
 
 to the \Y ; 
 duties 
 
 thai durin ; the summ< ; lie should be . 
 most ig ]n-r. In tin 
 
 meantime, lie exhoned, !; conjured lier, ;*> constancy and 
 ice ii 1 ch. . . il was !.i- 
 
 onl\ ; 
 
 Uui, reader, -. ou luiv< . 
 and many, [xn haps, 
 
 ceived. To detajn you, therefot I : of die 
 
 sentiments ront;;ined : ,; those of C!:a iy, (for t!ie 
 
 sentimental [tarts of all L 
 
 nine-tenths (>f [heir rontenls, are v<>rv much alike. 
 be no treat. i!;;; as love had made . , ;hinu (; . 
 
 poet, and i:; h; .1 ;; fc;w vt rses in one of these !e;- 
 
 ters. m praise of his f;ur one, (a thin;.; v.liicii n\ery \vriKM 
 of love letters cannot do,) I shall take the lihertv of submit 
 ting them to your perusal. These verses, although far Iron: 
 !)ein<r of first-rate excellence, arc at least no worse than die 
 rh\ mes which many a love-sick gentleman lias tiiou^ii 
 proper to string too-nher in compliment to his mist.-; 

 
 nn: \vn.Dnn\Kss. 
 
 i .ut he tliev good or had. since Charles Adderly wrote them. 
 I think 1 may he permuted to print them. 
 
 To Maria. 
 
 Maria ; i< ;f eld!d. 
 
 Sweet tiowret . .int wild ! 
 
 Wh Mi firsl . y ravish d eves, 
 
 How leapt my bosom witli surprise. 
 To tind tinil, in ! :( desert waste. 
 Nature, \vith cr.rt , ... l;ad p aeed 
 The loveliest plant that over irrew, 
 To warm the heart, and charm the view ! 
 
 Ah ! fov. but hr: nose days, 
 
 Wiien f,n your charm ". i/c ; 
 
 With heart enraptured ul the -i rht. 
 
 Ird w ,th pas 
 1 or ne er e -uld ] belli 
 That woman l.ii 1 sue 1 ! charms in store, 
 \ 
 
 III J ::- : :> 
 
 May fo:-tuu< bear :no soon i 
 
 To where von trt MI rei^n ; 
 
 \Vhero, blest om ; 1 \ie\. your r.Iiarms, 
 
 Feel t!i-" sweet pressure of your arms. 
 
 As ;!i;-ori !i , jiir native woods we rove. 
 
 And L i\f- our li"arts mid souls to love: 
 
 Till then, my onlv !ho n:iit thou It l>e ; 
 
 J iicn tii::ih oi me- and nor.e but :.ie ! 
 
 The summer months passed without any remarkable oc- 
 
 .irrence happening *o ail ect the fortunes of .Maria. Her 
 a ; its of household rural employments were attended to as 
 
 i. hut her srciv! thoughts were altogether occupied with 
 
 the idea of him who loved her so warmly and tenderly, and 
 
 ."horn, she did not now ail ect to conceal from herself, she 
 
 l >ved with equal- warmth and tenderness. The perusal of 
 
 ie hook*-;, hut more particularly Hie idlers he had sent, her, 
 
 ccupied the chief portion of her leisure hours ; and on some 
 
 .occasions, hut not olien. she would indulire her feeliujjs hv 
 
 ; :ilkino- ahout him to her sister. On such occasions, how- 
 
 \er. she still look care not to dwell long upon the dangerous 
 
 iih|ect, lest she inijjhl express hersell more ardently in his 
 a\or, than her (leliraln views of propriety would altogether 
 V arrant.
 
 It \v;;s one beauiifu! oveninir iu No\ember, ]75:i, the 
 Indian Summer beimf then in all its ciiorv and sweetness, 
 thai tliese two vouno- women \valkcd upon ihe bank ot" the 
 Mononofahela. Charles Adderlv, I<r. Killbreaih, and some 
 Indian transactions, \vere the chieJ Ionics 01 their conver 
 sation. 
 
 "f am not sure whether I could wish Air. Adderly io 
 visit us this 1 all ot not," observed Maria "the French dis 
 like him so much, that they miuhi instigate ihe sava^i lo 
 ];is destruction. Oh, JNancy ! what a barbarous and blood 
 thirsty people we live a mono . " 
 
 "1 can say but hide," replied ,~Nanc\, "in ! ;r, or oi ih< 
 Indians when they u o out lo war, or when ihev lake pris 
 oners, lor .Dr. .Killbreath says that they have; then little 
 mere) oil men, women, or children. But 1 think .Mr. 
 Mr. Adderh could dwell here lony (>nouh without th. ii 
 knowledjjc : anil Tonnaleuka, you know, could protect 
 him." 
 
 Tonnaleuka cannot In x everywhere," said Maria. 
 has ol ien to be at a ;^reat distance. amoni> the contendin 
 tribes, o-ivin-r them conns;-!, and sei;lin;r tlii-i. disputes : and 
 ilie Indians are tar more exasperated this season a ain 
 J lnolish, ilian tliev overwore before. Hut if is before !n r 
 arrives liere. that danger is chieily to be dreaded. If the 
 a\;:i;-es find him crossing any of the mountains, alas! i l i ar 
 iis destruction will bc> inevitabk-. [ am sometimes tempted 
 to pray that he mav nor venlure to come, at least until tin se 
 outrageous times be past." 
 
 "Truly," observed Nancy, "it would be better that lie 
 should not attempt to visit you, than that he should he 
 killed. But both Paddy and" Dr. Killbreaih say, that the 
 white people would have no occasion to fear so much from 
 the Indians, if they would only treat them kindly, and not 
 attempt to cheat them, or wrest their lands from them, as 
 they do." 
 
 " But Charles Adderlv never cheated them," replied 
 Maria, "nor had lie taken any land from them by force 
 when they attacked him last year, and were roinii- to sacri 
 fice him. \h! I fear much 1 or him, for the Krcnch now 
 hate him thoroiijfhlv: and from their haired there is less
 
 i H 
 
 li ; hard to i r he would 
 
 onsu iit to do v. l dour : make friends 
 
 of the French, and liv< their protection. Jf he 
 
 would do fins. T think ail wt ,ii:! i); 1 safe, and " 
 
 o !" c -xcbimed Maria, " ( harleri \ddorly never will 
 
 stoop to such a tliM!;! 1 . ! know him t.o IK too dignified in 
 
 his sentiments for that. i e considers ihi; i iv ieh the ene- 
 
 of his couulrv, , ssuc.Ji h n vcr \viil cr;ivo 
 
 . i. ! nc. if hi I oiiH 1 at ; ; [|, li \\ ill lie ciilicr 
 
 ,: llu ii 1 ciniiiN ; .: apfes and 
 
 . 1 four, li ; i"i liivir iM \ ;:(. r cs in o 
 
 . ; .ilciiic;, i.sl\ iind do.structivcly, not to 
 
 nnide everv one of ihat nation thr.ii 1 enemy." 
 Why, ih.at cannot be!" obscrvrd Nancy, "for L-L-. Kill- 
 ;--d he HONV lives here with us as th;; 
 li iem! oi the.- i rcnch. 
 
 J iic doctor s love i:>r you," returned Maria, -has in- 
 
 duced him in this :; flair, i am persuaded, to act contrary 
 
 otli H/ jus inclination and judgment, ii;; has become an 
 
 exception to ilie conduct that all the rest of his nation \viii 
 
 |)t, \\hicli i know ( liarles Addcrly will n;-ver become." 
 
 I m sure vou know," said iSancy, that Mr. Adderly 
 
 1 as much in love, and as desirous to live here, as ];i\. 
 
 -> dlhreath : and whv shouldn t he as well as the doctor 
 
 refer Jo\ e to politics ?" 
 
 !;< cause, said Maria, -it v/ould be prclerrin^ p-rivate. 
 iii rest to public dul\, whicii diaries never wdl do." 
 
 ".I /a! now," cried INancy, "1 cannol believe ihai yon 
 .iink so. i- on t you suppose that Mr. Adderlv would [irc- 
 i you to all ihe 1 rencii. and all llu; Indians, and all the 
 . i..!:^h into ih: 1 li;, :..>;;( in, in tlie w<;rid . " 
 
 "1 ha .e jio riyht," said Maria, "to suppose anv such 
 lino-. i\,\\. ii he did so, it would be \erv wrong, and 1 
 ;.o in;i think i should esieem him so much it 1 thought him 
 . apabie ul ii." 
 
 ".Now, fjurely," return (! Nancy, with a look ol inc-redu- 
 lii.), "vou caiiii()i i,; 1 serious. Whai harm has 1/r. Kill- 
 hc-ralli done h\ inrtkinj;- frieinl.> of the i lvnch . \nd sun- i
 
 172 I HI. WILDERNESS. 
 
 must like him the better for dom<r it on uiv account, and I 
 am persuaded, that if ]\Jr. Addrrly s love tor you \vould so 
 i ar overcome his dislike to them, you could not be dis 
 pleased. 
 
 " Von a.re much mistaken in \otir oj>inioM of me," said 
 .Maria, "if you believe so. A strict adherence to prin 
 ciples and dulv. i >hall e\er admire : and 1 shall the more 
 admire it. that it i< accomplished in opposition to self- 
 inlere<t and personal advantage; for the more diflicult the 
 perform vni e cf virtuous actions is. the greater must he their 
 merit, and the higher should he the approbation afforded 
 them." 
 
 "Then you do not ihink tha Dr. Killbreath has done 
 riu ht ?" observed ?Sanev. 
 
 1 do not undertake to jud<re the doctor." returned Alaria. 
 "Duties are, perhaps, like almost every thinir else, in tin 
 strictness (if ihoir obligation, capable of being- modified hv 
 circumstances. \\ hot m:iv be imperiously incumbent upon 
 one man to perform, may be less so, or oven not at all so. 
 upon another: and he same man may. in different circum 
 stances, feel himself bound to act differently in resjs-. cl to a 
 genera! duly, i! he wants to act rig-ht. !)r. Killbreaih, iu 
 mnkiiisf ]ii-;ice v.-ith tl;c I Yench, even whili; the\ are ma.kiv. j 
 war with his count! vmen. may have no d-. siiju to injin-e ! : i 
 latter : on he eonlrarv, \\<- mav tlvrehv ha\(> i! in his power 
 to serve some of them. But Chnr!e.s Adder! / has hi^h. 1 " 
 vesjiunsibiliiies i K i-n already employed as 
 
 a leader, and his coumr- men mi .-t exj. H t inore Iro,: 
 than from m;:iiv others. [};!, IXancv, to cut short tiie 
 discussion, I am convinced that, in the present times, no 
 temptation will induce Charles, even in anneara.nc , 
 I believe that it is onb~ in appejirance ;!;at i)r. Kiilbrcrth 
 has done so, to court favor with the French." 
 
 "1 know." said Xancv. "that the doctor dont like them 
 in his heart; for when lie heard of them sending the "\\ian- 
 dots on their late Blue Kidoe excursi(>n, "it will be a mur 
 derous affair," said he "I wi*h to Cod the Virginians may 
 give them a thorou-jh defeat !" 
 
 "It, is indeed *hoci;in^ to think of these doings." returnee 
 .Maria: "what cruel hearts those men mi:-M have, that can
 
 mi: WILDERNESS. 173 
 
 rtlfaoe in them! 1 fear thev will not give, over nntU"tHfc 
 Knirlish are excited to retaliation; and then, alas ! wha t 1 k 
 
 rrible state of things may we not expect to witness iii t his 
 country ! Hut 1 hope Providence will avert the calamity . 
 My heart sickens to think of it. How different frtim thai 
 -ece.re and peaceful slate of society, which the delightful 
 author !. have in nr-~ hand describes! Let us sit dowW, 
 Nancy, and I shall read for YOU the heart-cheering 1 picture 
 of love, peace, and virtue, which the beautiful tale tif PaTe- 
 mon and Lavinia exhibits ; it will drive away ! the disagree 
 able reiiections which tin eontemplati o n of those sanguinary 
 horrors, of which we have been talking, have excited." 
 
 They sat down beneath a tree which grewoiV a sllelvi n g 
 portion of the bank, and ?\a.ncv lis.ened \vith great e arne st- 
 uess, while .Maria read with an audibld and sweet voice, and 
 with a tenderness and pathos of manner which showed that 
 her whole soul was enrapt with the deliirhtiul" strains "m 
 wliich the poet of the Season-; has told iiis sweeiest tale. 
 Sir- had just pronounced the following exqui^itc lines - 
 
 When Nancy, happening to direct her attention a- little to 
 one side, perceived a whit.- 1 man leaning agamsl a tree -care e 
 two yards distant. She immediately started to her feet m 
 surprise, cry ing OIK 
 
 "Oh, Maria! her: is a white stranger !" 
 
 Maria arose, considerabl } .slar led, and the s,trangef 
 a pproa chod, \vitii mildiiijss, benevolence, and admiration 
 sirono-lv expreaseil in his countehance. 
 
 I ) 
 
 " Ladies!" sail! he. [ must ask pardon for my 4elay,in 
 addressing you. Hut how could j interrupt the noble exier- 
 rise, the relined eiijoyniciH in which 1 found \ on cnsrum d 
 And in such a place too so unexpectedly ! 1 liave ira 
 versed the wilderness nearly (wo hundred miles .without 
 seeing a whit u oman : and here to discover such as yooJ, 
 and so em[)lo,ed ! Ladies, forgive me, ii 1 say my delight 
 i s equal l*) mv as louishi 
 
 "Sir!" rep! 
 
 >o It w ii entl -ai! 1 !! Ii:, \ ou. that, if we have on our pan 
 Hi 
 
 r " oi-. lvrt,! M;ni ;. "we meet in :|ii> wilderness, witii
 
 I 7 1 mi; \\ II,L>I:KM-;SS. 
 
 manifested any symptoms of childish surprise at sceni j 
 you, we presume that you have discernment and candor 
 enough to ascribe it to its irue cause our peculiarly se- 
 chuled condition; for these woods, that river, raid the sky 
 above us, are the utmost extent, and variety of external na - 
 ture that we have seen since our birth. But our father lives 
 near at hand; he always makes the sojourner in the fores! 
 welcome. If you have no objection, we will lead you t 
 his house." 
 
 " Is your father s name Frazier " asked the stranger. 
 
 "It is, sir," was the reply. 
 
 "I was informed that his residence is about this place, 
 and was just in search of it, when I perceived you," lie 
 answered. 
 
 An idea now crossed Maria s thoughts, which made her 
 change color, and embarrassed her manner more than even 
 the sudden appearance of the stranger. 
 
 "He may be from Philadelphia he may have news for 
 me (thought she); but I dare not nsk him;" and she un 
 consciously heaved a sigh, which was not unobserved hv 
 the penetrating stranger, whose eye, indeed, since lie (irsl 
 saw her, had, in spite of all his efforts, been kept steadily 
 fixed upon her. lie would lain at this moment have in 
 quired into the cause of her slight agitation, but his delicacy 
 and an agitation which he himself felt, keener, perhaps, 
 than even Maria, prevented him, and they went towards the 
 house in silence. A few minutes brought them to the lane, 
 where they met Gilbert; and Maria becoming soon satisfied 
 from their conversation, that the stranger was not. from Phil 
 adelphia, the fluttering of her bosom gradually subsided. 
 
 "That, sir. is my father," said she, as Gilbert approach 
 ed, lie soon saluted the stranger with a friendly welcome, 
 who cordially shook his hand, saying, 
 
 "I haA c heard of you, Mr. Frazier, and was directed to 
 take your house on my way to Fort Le liieuf, where f am 
 proceeding on public business, by the order of the Governor 
 of "V irginia." 
 
 The high respect with which the stranger s appearance 
 had impressed Gilbert, was, of course, nothing diminished 
 by this intelligence.
 
 TDK \\TI.DKR\ESS. 175 
 
 " A \ , ay ! Indian business, \\:\ doot," said he; "1 wonner 
 i!c (Jovernor did n;i lanir ere this, scud to inquire after thir 
 r.iiiiis; I m- there hac been unco fearfu an troublesome 
 ! ings hiielv. 1 hope mm, howsomever, that yc ll get it a 
 o Mled. Hut conic in, come in I wish I could accommo 
 date ye bettor; but amang thir woods, ye ken, it s no like 
 ! iviu in a Christian country." 
 
 " Your kindness will far more than compensate for any 
 di liciencv of accommodation. (Jeorge Washington for 
 such, .Mr. Fra/ier, is my mime will never be fastidious in 
 iliis respect. If he has no! vet learned, he hopes he will 
 h arn. how to bear hardships when the public service re- 
 > ires them. In the meantime, to men who have, for sev 
 eral nights past, lodged in the open woods, the shelter of 
 \ our roof will be a luxury ; for i am not, you will suppose, 
 Indorsing this wilderness without assistants and o-uides." 
 
 And whar are yere men." inquired Gilbert; " I ll send 
 for them, an try, wi he;irt an gudo wull, to mak ye a 
 welcome." 
 
 " I left them about a mile up the river, where they halted 
 t ri fresh themselves, while, with my rille in my hand, I 
 l, pt on our course before it. " 
 
 Your rille!" said (Albert, seeing none in Washington s 
 possession; "an whar is it?" 
 
 " It is ai the foot of a walnut tree, not far from the place 
 v here I met your daughters; for on perceiving them, 1 
 d a red to alarm them l>v aj)pearing armed in their presence, 
 
 I ll send my sin Archy to bring your men doon the 
 river," said (Jilberl. "lfe 11 likely fin the rille on his 
 way. Hut come yoursel into the boose, Mr. Washington, 
 : [ the women will hae something comfortable for you, 
 belyve." 
 
 I think I had myself better go back for the rille," said 
 .Vashington ; I can from thence call my men together. It 
 v. ill save your son unnecessary trouble." 
 
 ll- accordingly retraced bis steps as far back as the 
 walnut tree, where he sounded a horn, as a signal for his 
 f.mipany to come on, which was immediately answered 
 MOID no great distance. Archv, who, bv his father s order.
 
 176 THE WILD1 RNESS. 
 
 followed after him, overtook liim at this crisis, and was in 
 formed that lie need proceed no further, for his companions 
 \vould be present in a f( \v uiinutes. 
 
 "I ll push on, if ye please, sir, said Arohy; "the sight 
 of a. white man in tliir woods, since the Indians have 
 frightened away the traders, is a pleasure we; e;,M,,, yet 
 everv dav." 
 
 So saying, lie hastened onwards, and Washington re 
 turned to the house, desirous a^ain to behold the must 
 beautiful and interesting female lie had ever seen. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 lie came lu the cot oi the wild mounttiinnri , 
 
 And gladly its nimatps received liim : 
 He carne with a tale which he told without tear, 
 
 And f rcelv and well they believed him : 
 He came with a heart that was blithesome and <j. \ . 
 
 And he v. ot not ol love that could hind him, 
 But when from that cottage ho went far away, 
 
 He left his ;:ny heart there behind him. 
 
 BASKET OF Sen APS. 
 
 MAKIA, who now knew the quality and errand of the- 
 new visitor, received him, on his enterinir the house, with 
 none of that embarrassment which she had manifested be 
 fore meeting with her father. Her manner was kind and 
 respectful, hut easy, graceful, and dignified. Her guest, 
 however, was not so much at ease. He saw hefore him 
 the most perfect model of female excellence, (and no man 
 ever more ardently admired such excellence.) oi which he 
 had ever formed any conception ; and he saw this where. 
 of all places in the Avorld. he least expected to see it, and
 
 nn: WII.UKRXESS. 177 
 
 under circumstances the most calculated of any that could 
 be imagined, to make an impression on his heart. How 
 c.iuld he. then, at this moment, i eel tamely cool and col- 
 lected in her presence 1 ! Xo Washington s heart was 
 Made of warmer materials, and his soul composed of more 
 amiable qualities, than to behold, unmoved, so rare a com 
 bination of all those charms that form the witchery of 
 \\ oman. 
 
 When he was seated with Maria and Nancy in (Jiibert s 
 little parlor, and some li<rht refreshment placed before him, 
 until a more substantial meal could be prepared, Maria ob 
 serving that he scarcely tasied anything 
 
 " Mr. Washington," said she. "[ should have expected 
 ;iiat traversing the woods would have quickened the appe 
 tite more than it. seem.-; to have done with you. I wish 
 \ ou would partake of our fare. It is indeed rustic, but you 
 will make allowance for it, beini> - the produce of the Wil 
 derness." 
 
 "j shall eat. since it will gratify you," he replied, "al 
 though I confess 1 have no appetite just now. ^ et think 
 not, Mis.-; Frazier, that it is because these; cakes and that 
 netlieoiin are disagreeable to my taste, that I use them 
 jparinjflv. Xo the choicest viands of city luxury could 
 not be more g-rateful to me. Ah ! i feel, believe me 1 do, 
 thai the very hcari of the Wilderness can produce attrac 
 tions equal, na v, let me say superior, to any 1 have yet. met 
 with in society." 
 
 "Sir." said Maria, "there must be a refinement in soci 
 ety, arising from a thousand opportunities and advantages 
 enabling the people to cuhivate it. that we do not possess 
 here: nor can it hi- expected that we should. What means, 
 what instructions, what examples, either to infuse and cul 
 ture taste, or afford the means of its gratification, can we 
 eii|oy amonir nations of savages, whose only object is to 
 proul the \\ ilderness, in search of prev, or, alas! too fre 
 quently, in search of revenge." 
 
 "And yd," said Washington, "in this very Wilderness, 
 it appears forgive me for saving it, Miss Frazier but it 
 is truth, that yon ha\e been lau^ lit both to relish and dis- 
 riminate with a liner lasie. -Mid -;ot!iider judgment, the
 
 178 THE V. JLDEttNFSS.. 
 
 refinements of life, than the majority of ovrn those Avomon 
 in society who have had llic advantages of thi best tuition. 
 I have met with none o! them who could have, read with 
 more apparent feeling and enjoyment, than you did lo-dav, 
 the delightful tale o! the lovely, the modest Lavinia, who, 
 like yourself, Avas the child of seclusion ; and who, like 
 yourself, possessed as much, perhaps more, real taste and 
 refinement, than if she hat! 1-v-en hrov<rht up in courts. 1 
 must confess, Miss Fra/.icr. ihat from my first perusal cf 
 Lavinia s tale, which was in my boyhood, I have hecn moie 
 enamored of the idea my fanrv formed of her attractions and 
 virtues, than I ever was with those of any other woman . 
 and until " 
 
 Tic was here interrupted hy the nnival of his party. Avhom 
 (iilhert, with great animation and satisfaction, introduced 
 into the apartment. 
 
 " I am glad, said Gilbert, v\ hen he had got them all 
 seated, " to see sae mony Christians in my hoosc. an a 
 speakin sae as I can understand. Irs like jjetting hock to 
 the world again." 
 
 "And I," said Mr. Vanbraam, who was to he Washing 
 ton s interpreter with the French, " I am heartily glad, after 
 wandering ten or twelve days as we have done, without 
 seeing a house at all, ouee more to gel the Avails of one 
 round my sides. So, Mr. Frazicr. we have concelled obli 
 gations in this respect, I think." 
 
 "I Avish \ve could only cancel the debt of mischief we 
 owe the French, and, their ied allies as easily," said one 
 Gist, who had acted as guide to the party through the Wil 
 derness. Mr. Frazier, I have often heard the traders talk of 
 your living down here, and many a time 1 wondered at your 
 hardihood, and cannot fiiess how you have escaped so lone, 
 unless it he hy the aid of the MiiifiO prophet, or conjurer, 
 that they talk about, a? protecting you. It s nation curious, 
 Mr. Frazier." 
 
 " It is indeed remarkable," observed Washington, "that 
 amidst all their depredations and barbarities of hue. the In 
 dians should have permitted a family so very much in their 
 power, and belonging to the nation they so much hate, to 
 remain so long unmolested. You m;: c ! assuredly, Mr. Fra-
 
 THE wn,Pi:u\r,ss. i , : 
 
 7.. or, have sonic uncoiymon means of conciliating them ?" 
 
 I ear.na r-;iv." ici lkd (-ilbert. "that I li:ie ever used 
 
 i: ncl . : . in, ! r.t I aye ;!; care no to of- 
 
 I hae rev r yet cheat! cl :uiy o 
 
 t!;eii], IM the traders hae often done." 
 
 I believe," said NYa.diinjiton, " that the injudicious and 
 c: -vary haughtiness, and, perhaps, in i:i;.ny instance?, 
 lent conduct of our pie. have been tho means 
 
 i . provi king these sons of ihe forest to resentment and cru 
 elties against us. that they wevdd not otherwise jiave dis 
 played. It \vriiii.i !H; wise and foruir.r. e, ?\lr. V r^/ii r, i! all 
 our bark-settlers and trai uT? would ::et :--o inofFensivel] 
 
 ht P.I as vou have done. The inu-i<ii;e: v ol j ^ cncii 
 .inl ambition would not then be so fatally sncces;--- 
 \ now are. in slimmr them in) Jigainst i: ." 
 rely," obs-Tved (list, "von can t s po?c it a sin of 
 h licinonFiiess to take from the enemies of the Lord 
 ,vhat( v< ; we can ifct. and in ?nv hc>\v we cat] ^el i . I : 
 
 t 1 ^- are heathens, the Lord s enemies. 1 cxped, and i 
 vou rcmemher the story of tl n of Israel des- 
 |ioilin<r the Egyptians hy borrn\vin<r, witin-ut returning, ae- 
 I ording to the command of the Lor;;." 
 
 i lut we have no ce.minand of the kind," said V. ashini)-- 
 " to trral thf 1 fndia.ns so; MK!. Mr. (list. aMion^h yoii 
 
 . : , on wore 
 
 ! in ex;u tly tl he J:-ra-l- 
 
 tcs, you <!i ! ; 
 
 iioilinf; the c li vptian? . wlio, yi u llect, had hi en lonij 
 
 ihiir tyrannical task-masters." 
 
 " ^ e re vera rii lit, sir," observed (-iilheri l> tlie Testa- 
 n:i-nt says, that the labon r is \vi rihy o h -- hire, an as [he 
 ptians would na wi" their ain will . rie the Isiaeli es 
 their lawi u wa^er;, which conld na bt.- ta en by force, they 
 co .iid na do bt ti< r t|i:in t:d; i by craft -an" since the pro|ih( t 
 o the l.ovd bai ii! i!. it could na be a sin, ye ken." 
 
 " \\ e lian t any express conimaiid," said (iist. "to des- 
 poil the-; . : ; ve. lint aie they not heathens, and 
 
 as wicked and ciir:! d before the Lord. 1 guess, as the K^yp- 
 tians. Tarnation to them! han t ihey jilundered, and rob 
 bed, and massacred us, if tbev did not make us slaves "
 
 1 M) rnr \v 
 
 "Tliis plundering and massacreing,* sold Washington, 
 " have, indeed, unhappily taken place; but I fear that they 
 have been, sometimes, wantonly provoked by ihe miscon 
 duct of our own people. The safely and tranquillity of Mr. 
 Fra/ier here, in the midst of the Indians, is proof of it." 
 
 " lie has had the old conjuror, Tonnaleuka, at his back. 1 
 guess," said Gist. "Unless the devil had helped him. he 
 couldn t, I expect, have so long escaped his imps, and their 
 tomahawks. They say he s a nation d curious old Jish, thai 
 Indian prophet. I guess I shouldn t dislike much, to see 
 whether he has a clove!) foot, like his daddv." 
 
 " You may examine inslantlv, thou son of levity," said a 
 solemn and awful voice, which made the blood almost free/e 
 in the heart of the startled and terrified (list. At the same 
 time, the majestic and hallowed lookintr figure of Tonna 
 leuka stood before him. with one leg advanced, as if to i.;- 
 vite inspection. 
 
 "Look here, continued the prophet, "is {here any mark 
 of an evil spirit, here . Kxamine me. all. Is there any such 
 mark about me? Where comest thou from, thou mocker of 
 sacred things thou pervertcr of sacred oracles ! Hear me, 
 I will tell you, for I have been inyourland. Is it not called 
 the land of Puritanism . l.pon the river Connecticut, do ye 
 not call yourselves the servants of God the enlightened 
 children of the I lasl ? 
 
 " Hearken to me I will toll you what you are. You are 
 the children of .Mammon, the followers of lucre, and the 
 victims of witchcraft. It is you that have the cloven foot. 
 When upon the shores of the Concord, and the Merrimack, 
 ! saw you sacrifice your sons and your daughters as victhns 
 to the spirit of evil, to the anirol of darkness, as your pries! 
 called him, how did my soul rejoice in the pure religion of 
 my native tribes! How did 1 congratulate myself, that 1 
 was none of you ! \Ve worship, said I, one Great. Spirit, 
 who made all men, and desires the sacrifice of none. But 
 those irrational people of the east, worship Lucifer, the doily 
 of gold, and sacrifice to his kindred god, the spirit of daik- 
 iiess, whom they call the author of evil. How preposterous ! 
 
 Hut hear me, sou of deceit ! thou who wouldst despoil 
 : people more upright and pure than ihine own. and ihmk it
 
 T1IK WILDHRNESS. 
 
 Hear me i can" At this, CJist, who ex- 
 ;-;ed some sudden denunciation, and preternatural inilie- 
 
 Hear me 1 
 
 ml for the sake of 
 
 \nd brother," said he, turning to Washington, thou 
 hK .-tod of heaven ! I will say to thee thou mavest go on 
 thy way wiib.out fear. Th.:u hast received a spirit of wis- 
 com, .md of virtue to keep thee right, and no one will barm 
 i ee ; bu1 ihoi wilt, when thou perforrnest thy errand, return 
 (< thy home and thy people, in .-afeiy; and from ihee they 
 s-iiall b: ; ;un wha to do; and if they hearken 
 they will prosper ai:d become a Treat people. 
 Brother, thou hast heard my word.-." 
 To this Washington answered : 
 
 Father I am <Jad 1 have met will; \ou. I have- heard 
 
 o| yeuv virtues, and of your influence over the Indians. 
 
 \ on know that the object c.t my mission at pr< ^ent, to the 
 
 -,-. is to effect a reconciliation with those of your 
 
 itioii,--. who are hostile to us, and to o:;t an end to the in- 
 
 igu( ; s of yon, brethren, in exciting them against us. 
 
 -% Father I thank yon for your nood will, and the favor- 
 hie sentiments yon have expressed towards me, and 1 wish 
 ir your aid in accomplishing the pacific object i have in 
 lew ; an object which I know YOU must approve. 
 
 "Father My instructions a,e to vi.-it the Frem-h, and to 
 "inonstrate with them ; for we look upon them as the chief 
 ource o! our hile calamities, and blame them more than we 
 o your people. li we at all lift the hatchet, it will be moie 
 . . lan to punish the Indians whom they have 
 belief thai .\ e are their enemies. 
 : tempi r ol our r< d brolh.ers, uidess when 
 hey are deceived or provoked, I do not believe to be so cruel 
 ml malignant as [ have heard reported. \ on know that they 
 have, durinir the last summer, done us are, it injury, by iles-
 
 iroymir our people and carrying oll our properly. Hence it 
 vvus natural we should think them blood-thirsty and inhuman. 
 But they have permitted our Friend Fra/ier to live here in 
 the midst of them in peace, for many years, although ho is 
 ot our nation. I presume, therefore, that, they are not inve- 
 U nitely hostile to us. and that, if they were only well in 
 formed as to our intentions to \vards them, they would bo 
 our friends, and withdraw their coniidencc from those who 
 deceive them, 
 
 Father ! yon have heard me, and you may believe thai 
 we do not wish to be at war with your people. 
 
 " Brother," replied Tonnalouka, " you are a wise man, and 
 know the true interests of your country. I have hoard you 
 1 have listened to you with great delight, as 1 would to Un 
 pleasant sound of the summer s breo/o, that refreshes the 
 iorost when it whistles amidst the leaves of the ha/el and the 
 elder bushes for it is lefieshini: to hear the words of peace 
 irom a white man. 
 
 " Brother our white brother, Frazicr, has lived here long ; 
 and because lie was peaceable we have not disturbed him. 
 The chiefs of thirteen nations have, at different times, smoked 
 the calumet with him, and he has thirteen strings of wampum 
 in his possession the symbols of amity, and his securit\ 
 irom molestation. All your white men miirht sit in tran- 
 .juilily and safety, with as little fear and concern for our ani- 
 jnosity, as our friend, if they would only conduct themselves 
 as he has done : for hear me, brother, Indians can be kind 
 friends, as assuredly as you have found them to be terrible 
 enemies. 
 
 " Brother hear me all our tribes have not declared atram-i 
 your nation. Nay some of them wish you better than they 
 do the French. The Shannoahs, the Delawares, and the 
 Mingoes, who inhabit these parts, believe the French to be 
 Jess upright than YOU, and they have blamed the Ottowas, 
 and the Chippeways, and the Canghnewagoes, and the Wy- 
 andots, and the other nations who have lent themselves to 
 your white enemies ; [or they say, " Who invaded our ter 
 ritories, and built forts among us first? Was it not the 
 French? The English are more numerous and powerful, 
 and ve! they have been more moderate, and have kept out
 
 nl our hunting ground, or else come into it with our permis 
 sion. We should, tlicrofore, wish the Fnglish better than the 
 French." 
 Thus, brother, are the Shannoahs, the Delawares, and 
 
 the Mingocs your friends. You are now among them, and 
 ii ed fear nothing ; and as to the hostile tribes they have, for 
 this season, withdrawn to their huts and their wigwams, and 
 ^ ill annoy you no more till the spring; and if you can per 
 suade the French to 1>o quiet, nil will be well ; but, brother, 
 the French are not inclined to be so. You have heard my 
 opinions. Receive this wampum in testimony of my friend 
 ship. The chief of my tribe, I doubt not, will also give 
 you one. 
 
 Hi-other as you are peaceable, may you be prosperous!" 
 f- o saying, he turned round, and left the apartment. 
 
 The impression made on our travellers, by this extraordi 
 nary Indian, was a mixture of astonishment and reverence 
 \\ ashington had before heard of him, as an eccentric man. 
 with some pretensions to the spirit of prophecy, and with. 
 ji;st sufficient knowledge of the world and of mankind, to 
 (liable him to impose himself upon his barbarous brethren as 
 an inspired person; but he had no idea of that dignity, that 
 Vi i.-dom. that elevation of manner, and commanding poteno\ 
 of language, which scarcely ever failed to effect its purpose 
 M ith his auditors ; and, which, consequently, gave him an 
 unbounded influence over many nations of his red brethren. 
 
 Washington was extremely desirous to make inquiry of 
 some of Frazicr s family, concerning what they kne\v ol ihc 
 prophet s previous life, and the means by which he had ac 
 quired that knowledge of the world which he evidently 
 possessed, in a degree far superior to an\ thing he had ever 
 i xpectcd to find in an Indian. The best qualified person to 
 "ivr him such information, lie believed, was Maria; at all 
 < vents, he felt she would be the most agreeable ; and was in 
 ternally pleased witli the idea, that the making such an in 
 ijiiirv would a (lord him an excellent plea for drawing her into 
 a conversation, perhaps, somewhat of a confidential kind : 
 and which she could have no proper objection to indulge 
 him in extending to a considerable length. She had left the 
 loom immediately on the entrance of hi.- companions he
 
 could not, therefore, instantaneously gratify his wishes ; but 
 he revived to seize the first opportunity that oli ered during 
 the evening for that purpose ; and in the meantime, to refrain 
 (Vom asking that information from her father or any other of 
 the family which would be, beyond measure , more sweet ant 
 precious when obtained from her lips. Th of a!i 
 
 poems has informed the world, that our good mother Fve, 
 was actuated by similar feelings toward- the man she loved, 
 when she withdrew, while the angel communicated to him 
 the interesting story of the v. orld s creation, in order that she 
 might afterwards enjoy the greater (I light of hearing him 
 repeat it. Tims it appears that the eii els of love upon the 
 mind did not difi r greatly sixty centuries ago in Paradise, 
 from what they did about sixty years ago in the Wilderness. 
 
 As to the observations of the rest of the company con 
 cerning Tonnaleuka, when he had withdrawn, thev were 
 expressed pretty much us folio v. s : 
 
 "Bv heavens! said Van -raam, that is a strange kind u! 
 a man ! If it were not against aii the rule.- of sin 
 Bayle s philosophy, I protest I should almost believe him to 
 be really a prophet, lie must at least be a soothsave: 
 Hah, (u-t ! he gave your yanlu-eism, \vi;h all its shifts and 
 turnings, a complete overs:,-!. I never hit a pigeon s crown 
 more fairly \vi;ii a rilie :>!-. ot, than he did your witehcral." 
 
 Tarnation to your rille, and him too . cried (iist, rath, r 
 hvstericailv. and f orcin;; into his manner an appearance of 
 ea.se and unconcern, which he really did not feel. " Win! 
 sigiiifi.es his gibberish about the Merrimack and the Concord 
 
 I guess he wanted to frighten me but, faith, Klij ( -: 
 ha nt got so squirrel a heart as to flinch at a pop-gun. }j M 
 Us nation curious, after all, I expect. He"- an odd fish - 
 and I n.n t sure whether he mayn t he Satin or not. ITi . 
 bear-skin moccasins may have hidden his cleft fool. 
 
 "Whether his foot bo cloven or not," replied Vanbr<<am, 
 i% his sudden appearance. I believe, clove tha contents o f 
 your rrtfnitdrt. as (he philosophers call it, down to t!ie ver\ 
 ceVd fi rcir;/ of the lenrned \ oi.-~r;us: and I doubt the s.uKii e 
 itself has been shattered, for it is plain (hat your brain h. . 
 not ye! resumed its proper position in it." 
 
 Curse vour philo^onhv. nnd A our i/aim !" exclaiined
 
 ruii wiLDLK.NLtes, 1H5 
 
 C;st. You would lire a squib at me, too, i o tiess but 1 
 expect you an t primed enough, Mr. Interpreter ! Tarnation 
 t > it! but if my head wau t bothered with that conjurer, and 
 \otir Latin, 1 \voukl twirl back yuurjok.cs till your ears 
 \\ ould ring again, I guess, as easilv as I could crack a hazel- 
 nut. 
 
 Ay ! and as easily as you lost your wager this morning," 
 ivpliod \ anbraam, bv* shooting the squirrel througli the 
 tail instead of t!ie head, IVopudor ! Master Aim well !" 
 
 1 ro devil !" cried Gist, considerably nettled ; i tell you, 
 Monsieur i nuess 1 can aim as well as you tarnation to 
 you! I ll stake you live guineas, here they are, true spades, 
 j stress, and as ijood metal as ever had the kind s head on 
 t.iem down with as many now! Mr. Washington, you ll 
 I..>ld the slakes. I ll shoot for them with any man in the 
 compnny, except yourself, at a hundred yards distance, 
 through the si/e of a crown-piece. Vaubraam, 1 guess now 
 ! defy you for the yellow-boys." 
 
 Defy me at hitting a mark a hundred yards ! Gist, that 
 YOU sha nt," returned the interpreter. " If it were a needle s 
 point instead of a crown-piece, I ll take you up. Here is 
 : ic coin. Mr. Washington will say when and where." 
 
 At this moment Mrs. Fiazier entered to equip the table for 
 dinner, and U ashin^lnn observed: 
 
 At present, m v friends, this good lady is about furnishing 
 sou \\ith other employment, in which, I hope, you will have 
 i.o objection to eiijiao e. To-morrow morning, if you wish 
 i try voiir skill, you may do it with all my heart ; but I 
 vvould recommend \ ou tudo it from a nobler motive than the 
 .viimiiig of a \vai: (;r, I im;an (he honor of victory. You will, 
 aes l. tcjre, be pleased, each oi you, to take b.ici-c your m one} ; 
 aid let-us have to-morrow a contest for the character of the, 
 uest marksman: 1 shall myself try a hand in the. sport." 
 
 " ."NO. sir," saiil V anbraam, u I shall not enoaixe to contend 
 .vith you ; (>i-t i-^ my antagonist." 
 
 k - .Nor I, 1 said (li>t: I juess we would come oil devilish 
 osers in that inatier. i ut, sir, i han t no objection you 
 hould try the \\ inner." 
 
 As you plea.-:-," said Washington; but if the day may 
 be suitable foi travelling, we must not occupy much of it in 
 Miiusement." 17
 
 *(i mi: \\ILDER.\KSS 
 
 " We shall only take the best of three hits, sir, and then 
 attend you," said Vanbraam. 
 
 Mrs. Frnzier s good fare no\v smoked upon the table, and 
 the party soon applying themselves pretty vigorous! v to its 
 enjoyment, the conversation \vas discontinued 
 
 During the repast, Paddy Fra/icr and ]>r. Kil ;rca;h ar 
 rived m-iii a hunting < xrursion, and took their seats. The 
 iorinei 1 . after the meal \va.s over, inforr.cd Washington that 
 the governor ol Ls i!u uf was deail, ; nd that an officer 
 named St. Pierre cotninanded there in his place; thai in a 
 Jew davs a council of the chiefs ol some tribes, mostiv 
 friendly to tiie English, was to he held al a place called the 
 l-o :_;siown, about thirty miles do\vn the river, and that ail 
 the hostile tribes, except the V, ianclots and Caughnewagocs, 
 had removed to a considerable distance westward, to spend 
 the u inter, with the intention, however, of recommencing 
 in the spring with more than their former force and feroc.il) 
 their depredations upon the frontiers. 
 
 " At the present time," said lie, " the only danger your 
 company can have to encounter will arise from the \Viandois 
 and Caughnewagoes, part of \vliom are yet encamped be 
 tween this and Le ] ;euf, ami their chids are to attend the 
 council at the Looostown." 
 
 " But on account of the nature of mv mission. 1 have ,i 
 right, observed Washington, to demand a safe conduct !! 
 my followers from the French, which 1 suppose those In 
 dians will respect. It is true the obtaining lhat safe-conduct 
 may he attended with difficulty and loss of time. It would 
 not be safe for any of my men to ventuie singly to the for) 
 for that purpose. It will therefore, be better to keep together, 
 exeii prudence, and trust to Providence for the issue." 
 
 "There is a small fortification," returned Paddy,:" lately 
 erected at Venani! ", not much above sixty miles from tins 
 place, commanded by a -Monsieur Joncaire. Let me see. 1 
 think 1 could be there to-morrow night, for I am well ac 
 quainted with the road : and the third day from this,] think. 
 barring accidents, 1 could meet you at the Logins town with a 
 safe-conduct. In the meantime, we car. start Dr. Killbreath 
 in a canoe to king Shingiss, about twelve mile.- down I M- 
 river, with information that vou are here, lie will afford
 
 \VI1.DKRNESS. 1 M? 
 
 you ail the protection h - can, I M - IK> is the most steadily :ii - 
 t;i -lied to ih" i / iLjiish of any i- iief 1:1 the country." 
 
 Washington immediately perceived liu; propriety of acced- 
 
 ii i loth:!.-- 1 proposal- : an;! i a Jdy. who required no other 
 
 >n for the journey than merely to ihrow on his 
 
 i> Its. a;ul a small wallet of provisions, and to see that his 
 
 was- in order, received his instructions and was oil in a 
 
 I- -,v minutes. Dr. Killhreaih also set out the same even- 
 
 h ; in a ( anoo for kimjf Shingiss residence. The roads h, 1 - 
 
 . ! : i= : !, i:i order to relievo the horses of part of their hnr- 
 
 look a (jfc:\i ])oriion of t!ie hajfiraire with him, 
 
 v liich was pla.i-e; nndfM tlie can. of throo of Washington s 
 
 men, naia. d Sie\v;ir;, (Jnrrin, and M Guire, wlio aeeoinpa- 
 
 nied him to t!ie c uoe. 
 
 !; wiis !io; till afti r making tiie.se arranue-iK nts. that Wash- 
 i ! uton onj iyed \\\c. opportunity he so much desired of con- 
 Viirsinjr \\-iih .Maria on the subject of Tonnalenka, or, if the 
 i a !;! will have it so, on any subject she mio lu think pro- 
 \ :r to permit. At length, various occasions having caused 
 Apartment to be vacated bv all except .Mana. Xancy, and 
 ! iinsclf, In 1 addresst^d them, not, it must be confessed, with- 
 
 it ! \i\\" some slight agitation at his heart, which, how- 
 
 ie soon overcame. 
 
 l/idie,-,v" said li(\ "next to the astonishment i fell at 
 linding you in lliis \\ ildernes, my greatest surprise has 
 n se th ( i f coiiiains so extraordinary a man as TOMM,! 
 ienk.i ; the Indian-; cannot surely be quite destitute of intelli- 
 
 cnl men, when liiev have such an instructor." 
 
 I am sorry to sav, " observed Maria, "that the Indians, 
 
 although they have ofien benclilled by his counsel, are. uni- 
 
 vcrs;ili\- throiiiiii all tlieir tribes too inveterately attached to 
 
 ancient habit*, to derive advantajre from his instructions . 
 
 iriv, so .ifreat is their antipathy to all kinds of knowledge 
 
 10 coinmnnifiitod to iliem bv their ancestors, that \vhen- 
 
 i to open to their youth anv o| the stores 
 
 "i his informaiion, lliey havt 1 nnifoiinly forbidden him ; and, 
 
 I believe, t!i t ; ,,Mr fnni v is the only one in the WiUlerness 
 
 in winch his benevolent ellorts to communicate knowledire 
 
 to the uninformed mind ha- been thankfully received." 
 
 Then I see the m\>!ery explained!" exclaimed Wa- h-
 
 18s HIT \vii.nr.RM>s. 
 
 line- natural talents yon have had such an extraordinary in 
 structor! Pardon mo. Miss Frazier, I have, perhaps. said 
 too much ; hut it is really singular and pleasing to meet 
 with such minds as 1 have m- t with hcra!" 
 
 Sir," said Maria. "I knr.w not what may be the privi 
 leges o| your sex in rocioiy : hut. if I may credit the authors 
 I have read, they have always heen accustomed to work 
 upon the vanity of ours by praising our excellence bevnnd 
 all rational hounds : and, I believe the dau<ihters of reline- 
 menl havo always permitted them to indulge this display 
 of their good manners at the expense of sincerity, perhaps, 
 because thev knew the exact value to place upon it. J ut 
 as h.ere, in the forest, \vc. have no means of ascertaining this 
 value with equal precision, I think our safest method will 
 be to dispense with the custom altogether, and tolerate, from 
 iho.se who converse with us, only such language as is con 
 formable to truth and nature. I. therefore, wish " 
 
 "Oh. Miss Frnzier!" said Vi ashington, interrupting her 
 with considerable emotion, " O n, believe me. if I have of 
 fended your delicacy, it was done involuntarily and lot me 
 say in my own justification, that ] never spoke insincere! v 
 to flatter either man or woman : and that concerning yon in 
 particular, I have not expressed half ah ! I will not I dare 
 not express half, I think of your merits " 
 
 "Stop, sir, said she. "I will not impeach your sincer 
 ity 1 beleivc you incapable of uttering opinions yon know 
 to be unfounded ; but in this instance you are perhaps too 
 premature in your conclusion? a little more time, a little 
 more acquaintance, mi</;ht show your first impressions to bo 
 erroneous. 1 will accuse you. therefore, of nothing but in- 
 caution. to which I request that so far us respects your opin 
 ion of me you will plead guilty, and let us end the discus 
 sion. " 
 
 "Incautious in expressing 1 that opinion," replied Washing 
 ton, " I may have been ; but certainly not in forming it. for, 
 alas ! I cannot resist the evidence of my senses. " 
 
 "Well then." observed Maria, -let the matter rest so: 
 we esteem each other too highly, I hope to contend about
 
 rm: \VII,T>J:R.V!>- 1S!> 
 
 distinctions ; you have acknowledged your want of 
 i :i ition in one particular; this is as much as 1 can ask for, 
 ive no ri<M;t to turn your confessor, and require you to 
 in 1 HIP, me of every litlie l oi!)Ie and mistake into which you 
 in y have found your-elf falling. Tonnaleuka s character 
 is a puMic one, and therefore, a fair subject of investigation. 
 Wo hen an \vith it, I believe, and if you can animadvert upon 
 it without complimenting mine, I have no objection to join 
 yi u on the subject; for tlicre is scarcely another in tlic 
 \v Tld that could allbrd me more satisfaction." 
 
 1 am desirous," observed Washington, cautiously avoid- 
 in .; the tempting, but forbidden topic of her praise ; < 1 am 
 dc.-irons to know from what sources this singular man lias 
 drawn his uncommonly extensive information. A philoso 
 pher a prophet and a savage ! how can we reconcile the 
 sistemre in one individual of characters so apparently 
 contradictory to each other? " 
 
 Iii;t, reaber, 1 have given you enough of this dialogue ; 
 during the remainder of which our heroine detailed to Wus.ii- 
 iiM ton rdl she had learned of the prophet s early life, and 
 u; portunities of acquiring knowledge, i ou, however, know 
 bout this already. J wil! not, therefore, lease you need- 
 h slv by repeating an already-told tale. 1 .shall only men- 
 t ,:ui th:it. during this conversation, the whole hear! and tiffec- 
 M:- of Washington were irrcelaimably given u[> to Mai in, 
 a. id that, although i ; ,, on !;e enjoyed was great, it 
 
 \ is dearly enough purchased by the irretrievable lo-: ; oi his 
 i.. art s tranquilliiy.
 
 CITAPTKR X VII 1. 
 
 Thorn IK ;i hi ih and ;nvsti<: f- po.ll, 
 
 \\ iili u Inch LiTo.-it jiiiiids supremely s\v;i\ 
 
 O er liiose of LTos-ici- mould ; 
 Whose nnmoless JMIICHCV ohov 
 The cov,-;ird IHK! the held, 
 Nor ol its source M-i. Tlit the history c;i;i loll. 
 ( ; n hri:i;iii fate iii darli psl 01 r, 
 Its benms of !i<n;t can 
 
 A lie so;;:,- its il)t.oll( Ctll;:] : I 
 
 ISokPi-p whose <l;i//.iiiiLr |ic;ui! ihcv cower, 
 
 The ]!-- Mlt ofniltLnc 
 
 ]] \K-F.T OF S( H.VT f . 
 
 TiiEiu: is innny ;i f:iir Ir.dy in Anioric::), \vlio, I clciiilit mil. 
 will iliink it a if mil j)ily that tho illiK-trinus dinrnctcr, \vlio 
 luul tints h<vniii," a r;ipti\-c to ]\];uia s ch;irm>-, f-houlil ]\-. .\-< 
 been f;> ( f(! to hi ow avny the ardent affections of his niiinh 
 licnrt upon one \vlio couu! not n-iurn ilicni. Such :i one 
 will rejMvt mrdi, llnit he iiv.d not vi.- it(-d th.e \Vii(!cri ,es:- a 
 ycTir sooner, when the probability would liave been, th it he 
 sliould then bove c-iin ( that jiscendnncy over her f eeiini:> ; , 
 whirl 1 . Charles Addcrlv now possessed. .N-iy, liiere M ill he 
 some iiidined to cb:dlen<; !i ih.e ;icciin cv of our heroine s 
 ta--ic and discernment, in not. at o ice, jivinir t!ie prefereiiff! 
 to IKT new lover wliosr; we kno\v now to have been 
 to the rifiric-u> destiny of establishing a new and tvii:mp!;api 
 era for the rights and dio iiitit-s of man ! If ever, indeed, a 
 deviation from die ri . id line of constancy in love eoidd ad 
 mit of aj:.olo;. v, it would lia.ve been in this instance : !;: : i 
 Maria Fra/.icr. lik(> the r.o ole-liearted youth v/ho had nou- 
 Ijecome devoted to her, was resolved never, with her kno>\ p - 
 led(.re-, to do anything that should require apology. In jus 
 tification of her discernment, we \vill s.iy. that she cir-;rlv 
 saw ail Washington s merits; ami although she could noi 
 foresee all hi- ; futnre greatness, she esteemed and impeded 
 him as much as if she did. At all events, had he been even 
 thf-n the coniiiieror of C^ornwallis, and ihr- rmiincinafor ol
 
 Tin: WILDERNESS. 
 
 Hut V\ ashii;ii! .>n ! ., he, km \v not that, 
 
 any one possessed lections, i or \\ hich he t clt that he 
 
 could sacrifice evciy consideration hut. one to obtain. For 
 o him (here was somei dn^; more dear, more sacred, than 
 lie dearest, the sweetest { iron that could ever warm his 
 hc ari. or <_>!ve pleasure to his existence more dear than life, 
 in ore dear than lame, more dear than even that Maria, whose 
 loveliness had enchanted his feelings into a sense of hliss he 
 had never hclbre known it was his DUTY. This was the 
 polar star that irnidcd all his actions this was the moving 
 spirit wnhin him, to whore diciates he was resolved that 
 f-vi , .;. every lei-l m^, and every wish of his exisi- 
 
 enee. shcnhl hend. H:H! he known the slate of Maria s 
 
 deeply on his heart, as almost to attain an irresistible inllu- 
 enee- over his destiny, it is probahle that ho would have had 
 resolution enough to have successfully conibatted atfainsi 
 their power, and to have preserved that freedom which lie 
 iiii\v, almost without n stn^ irle, yielded to their fascination. 
 lie did not. however, yield hlimllv, and without reflection, 
 a- many lovers (!>. lie yielded because ho conceived it id 
 b; his dntv. to !;i\-e nn tho^o youthful aflVetions. which he 
 ie i were yet unappropriated, to one whom Providence 
 seemed to have thrown in Ins \vavas the most siiilabh, 
 since she was the mosl lovely, and he believed lh(> i, 
 \ ii iui ; sex, to \vhom he could attach himself , and to 
 
 one of whom lie knew that he oy:Mh!, sooner or later, to unite 
 hi-- late. 
 
 !!ein<> now upon important public onsiness which re 
 qnired despatch, he thought i! would be wron<_ r to make 
 such ;i (h-lay at her lather s lionse as would justify him in 
 makinir a d(;claration o| his feelinjrs, or even attomplinjj to 
 enij;i<vr he|- allcctions hv any attentions ol such a nature as 
 iniuhl I; I. Alter his public duty should be 
 
 performed, and hi-- public liiii(-uon> expired, he would then 
 l>e ma.-ter ol \n< own lime, and of his own movements, and 
 v. ilhont nh-fructioit iVi.in -iu\- duly. In could retin M Ic tb-.
 
 1 U 2 nn: WILPLHNLSS. 
 
 abode of Ills Maria, woo her affections, icll hor how he loved 
 her, and solicit her to become the wife of his bosom. Those 
 \vere the dreams of love in which this ymin<? hero now de 
 lighted to indulge; those were the captivating pictures of 
 future felicity, the endearing scenes of domestic bliss, when 
 Maria should bo his own, which his fancy loved to form ; 
 and amidst all the cares, (he dangers, and the toils of the 
 arduous enterprise he had undertaken to conduct, these ideas, 
 these visions of Maria, love and happiness, were his solace, 
 his joy, and the bright reward which he hoped would crown 
 ail his labors. 
 
 Although the emotions of his mind had kept him long 
 sleepless after his retiring to rest, yet he was early awake ; 
 and soon had the three companions of his journey wh re 
 mained with him, namely, Vanbraam. Gist, and one Jenkins, 
 at work, fixing the horses, and preparing to move onwards. 
 Their good host, Gilbert, however, thought it would never 
 do to let them depart without breakfast ; and he pleaded so 
 hard that they should delay till it was prepared, that lie 
 gained his point, and Nelly put it in a state of forwardness. 
 In the meantime, according to their agreement the preceding 
 night, Vanbraam and Gist tried the accuracy of their 
 and the steadiness of their eyes, upon a mark at a hundred 
 yards distance, which each pierced so clextrously that n 
 was difficult for Vv ashington to allot to either ihe victory. 
 The distance was enlarged to ore hundred and fifty yard?, 
 when, after sever;,! trials, Vanbraam gained a slight advan- 
 :.:id Gist was obliged, though with groat relucianco, to 
 rt linonish the contest. 
 
 At lengih they set forward, and Washington, for the first 
 time in his life, felt what it was to separate from the object 
 of a tender love. IJc heaved an involuntary sigh as he 
 bade her adieu, and although she perceived it, and suspected 
 its cause, (for she was loo sagacious to be easily deceived in 
 this matter,) she in a very calm, but kindly and respectful 
 manner, wished him a safe and prosperous return from the 
 perils of his undertaking. 
 
 " Thank you. Miss Frazier," was all he said ; but ho 
 mentally added, "Oh! may heaven soon restore 1 me to her 
 lovely presence, and. for her *akc grant peace !> , H \Vildr-r 
 ness she inhabit^ "
 
 \ lew hours brought them to the Shanapin s town. Here, 
 with the eye of a soldier, he beheld the point of land where 
 } Ai!r; hanv and the Monongahela meet; and wa^ the 
 first persiiii to be with the eligibility oft.be situation 
 
 n which afterwards ])n Qnesne, and Fort J ; itt, 
 were successively built. This was in consequence of the 
 e -ei di erecting tlie former of these 1 fortifications, the spot 
 which soon afterwards became the great object of conten 
 tion between the two most powerful nations in the world, 
 o,"-h adopting the opinion of Washington concerning it. as 
 the position which more than any oilier westward of 
 i! . \lloohany mountains, was calculated to give its posses- 
 rr - the command of the largest portion of country. 
 
 li: vinif spent some time in estimating the height of the 
 b ; .iks and the breadth of the rivers at this place, he aecom- 
 p: aied Shiii riss. kintr of the Delaware?, who had there met. 
 him with ten or twelve of hi* warriors, to his residence, 
 si "lated about two miles lather down the river, upon inc. 
 b ik of Thai-tier s creek, and near the place where Charles 
 A derlv had been defeated. Here be found that doctor Ivil- 
 bi oath s party and the bai^a^e, had arrived sale. It was 
 si* ir the evening, when he reached this place, but as he was 
 di -irons io view the ground on which our hero s disasters 
 b taken place, Shingii accompanied him to the spot, with 
 dcctor Kiibrealh, who having acquired a considerable know- 
 ie lire of ibe Indian lanifiinire a.cted a.s bis interpreter. 
 
 Mere ho saw the remains of the hasty fortification that 
 ( larles had attempted to construct, and perceived some of 
 o<rs \et stained with the blood of several of those who 
 in defending it. Shingiss also pointed out to him the 
 ;-| >t where Charles slmv the youiiL r Indian chief, Cara\vissa, 
 a: 1 nave him an account of the desperate encounter between 
 tl an of which be was an eye-witness, in such terms as rais- 
 e> Charles s heroism to a considerable height in the opinion 
 o! \\ .ishinaton ; and, indeed, the whole of what he liea.rd 
 ai 1 saw, impressed him with a very exalted idea of his char- 
 aciei. both as a man and a soldier. 
 
 The Indian mode of (ioditiiiLT, described to him on this oc- 
 c- -ion, by skulking and keeping up an irregular (ire from 
 behind trees, or from ambuscades, forciblv struck his mind
 
 as being theonlv one suited for lh;i(. woodv connlry. rn;;S 
 the only one by which its red wariors could IK> successfully 
 eombaiied. lie perceived, therefore, that Charles Adderly, 
 hud. in a mr.itaiy point of view, committed a ureaf error in 
 attempting t.> defend such a f:ail forti i< a;io!i. \vhen the thick 
 ness of the forest offered his men, in every direction, infi 
 nitely securer covers for defence, as .veil as more H^rihle 
 points from which to attack. lie conceived that IK- - 
 io have order* d them to screen themselves in the wood- a- 
 soon as the asaailan!:.; appeared, and from behind frees or 
 ravines. \ (> take oil by a sure and steady fire, any enemy that 
 should approach them. 
 
 The next morning, in company with Shingiss, and a few 
 of his warriors. Washington, and his whole partv proceed 
 ed to the Loire s, town, which was about sixteen miles farther 
 westward. Here a number of the chiefs had already assem 
 bled, amonjj- \vhoiu he distributed the presents he had brought 
 from Virginia, for that purpose. These presents were re 
 ceived graciously, and Washington was assi.red, that, he had 
 nothing to fear for his party, as all the chiefs present wished 
 to be on friendly terms with the Knirlish. A lartre wigwam 
 was constructed for him and iiis men, around which, some 
 of Shinj/iss warriors assisted in keeping guard, for fear of 
 :Hiy surprise durintr the nio ht. 
 
 The next morning, several other chiefs, and sachems, 
 amoni> whom were those of the Wianclots, and (^uiiilnie- 
 vaofnos, \vlio were hostile to the Enslish, arrived. These 
 hostile chiefs, however, on being informed that Washington 
 had come to the council for the purpose of making peace 
 with the French Indians, after which, he was to proceed 10 
 Le 13(cuf, to make peace with the French themselves, accep 
 ted of his presents, and promised to listen to his proposals 
 without molesting him. 
 
 A council feast was now prepared, at which Washington 
 and his party, were invited to partake: after which, all the 
 chiefs smoked the calumet with him, except those of the 
 hostile tribes, who said they could not do .so until they knew 
 the terms of peace he should oiler; and until their allies, 
 the French, had accepted of them, and ratified a treaty. 
 
 At length, the council was orrrani/ed. and Kustaloffa. the
 
 r] it; I > iciiem ol the Mino-oes, being declared its president, 
 h. addressed Washington as follows : 
 
 Brother You arc: \v(/lro;;ie to our assembly. Our fa 
 ll] T, the governor of Virginia, has shown his wisdom in 
 sending von to make, peace with t!ie red nations, :uul their 
 \\ liitc allies. I shall rejoice \vi;en I he;ir that you have 
 prevailed on them to bury tin; hatchet, and. as you are a 
 pi ident man, 1 doubt, not that von uill be successful. 
 
 Brothei For my part. 1 have been always friendly to 
 v<>ur naiion. I did not approve of the French building- Ions 
 in our country, without our consent. But, brother, hear me. 
 I will peak my mind freely, concerning both your nation, 
 a;,d tliat of the French. 
 
 There was a time brother you ca Miot denv it when 
 ; the French nor you, made any pretensions io our 
 lands, nor disturbed us with your diputes. We then lived 
 in peace, where our lathers had lived, { or more than a him. 
 (1 oil generations, and every man hunted the deer and the 
 b d alo, without danger from the encroachments and attacks 
 o : strangers. 
 
 " \t wiiat time, brother, either you or the French obtained 
 a ri!. hl io our lands, J cannot tell; but 1 believe never. II 
 \ Ui were then, honest men, you would withdraw into your 
 own bounds, and not attempt to usurp our property. Is no! 
 
 t i:- ! i 
 
 Brodier, 1 have not heard so much complaint agam>i 
 \ our nation as against the French. 1 have, therefore, gener 
 ally sided with you, although many ot us think that if yon 
 \\ere not afraid of tin; French, von would encroach upon us 
 a much as they have done; and, as to the enemie.s von have 
 among our red brothers they say that your people to the ea , 
 ii .New Knglnml, have been more bitter against us than even 
 tin: French were. This may be tine, but you yourscll no 
 (ioiibi know w bother or not. 
 
 But, attend me, brother, 1 do not 
 ?; eak with sincerity; and 1 sav it, alt 
 and the ( aughnewagoes, their allies, 
 1 re neb ihems! 1 ves know it. 
 
 ilroiher, listen to what I told the French commander.- 
 
 islcnsk ill prjc 21^. ! t.iAcii iionrl" \ ( r!i;il mi Von
 
 ilJL \\ ILL LU.NE:-.-. 
 
 lately at he Utjeuf, when 1 was sent by my tribe and the IVi- 
 awarcs to dismiss them oil our land. 
 
 "Fathers!" said 1, 1 am come to tell you your own 
 speeches ; what your own mouths have declared. Father:- ! 
 you iu former days set. a silver basin before us, wherein 
 there was the le^ of a bjaver, and desired all nation to conn 1 
 and eat of it, to eat in peace and plenty, and not be churled 
 to one another. 
 
 ".Now, iathors, by the edi>\: of this dish 1 luy down a rod, 
 that if any person be founii to be a disturber, you may scourge 
 him there wiili, and even if 1 should get foolish in mv ol 1 
 days, L desire you not to spare me. And it you should be 
 in fault, fathers, should not the rod injustice be used upon 
 you as well as upon others 
 
 ?sow, fathers, it is yon who are the disturbers in thi.-- 
 laud, by coming and building your towns in it, and taking- 
 it away unknown to us, and by force. i\ow is it not yon 
 who should bear the infliction of this lod . 
 
 Fathers, we kindled a lire a lon-r time airo, at a place 
 called .Montreal, where we desired you to stay, and not come 
 and intrude upon our land. I now desire that you may de 
 spatch back to that place, for be it known unto you, fathers, 
 that tliis is our land, and not yours. 
 
 "Fathers ] desire you may hear me in civilness. If no!. 
 we must handle that rod which was laid down for the use of 
 the unruly. If you had come in a peaceable manner like our 
 brothers, the English, we would not have been a.^aitijt youi 
 trading with lisas they do. Hut to come, fathers! and build 
 houses upon our land, and take it by force, is what wi 
 not submit to. 
 
 Fathers both you and the Kn^iish are while we 
 in a country between you. and the land belongs 10 neither oi 
 you. l)ii! the CJreat IJe mu 1 above allowed it to he a place ol 
 residence for us; so fathers, I desire yon to withdraw, as 1 
 have done our brothers, the Jvirrlish for we will keep you 
 at arms length. I lay this down as a trial for you both, to 
 see which will have the rca!est regard for it, and that side 
 we will stand by, and. make equal sharers with us. Our 
 brothers, the iv.ig lish ha\e heard, this, and I now come to lei I 
 it you for I am not afraid to discharire you oti (.his land.
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 197 
 
 " I then gave him back his wampum, that our friendship 
 r- iiirht be at an end. 
 
 Hear me, brother You will see why 1 dislike the French 
 --Their ;>;enera! made nv this reply. 
 
 Xow. my child, I have heard your speech. You spoke 
 iii s!, it, is my ti:i.e to speak no\v. YVheia is my wampurn 
 tiiat you took away, with iha marks of towns in it This 
 wampum I (i.) not know, winch you now ;;>; ; vo me to dis 
 charge me oil" the hud. Hut you need not have put your 
 self to the trouble, for i will not mind it. I am notafraidof 
 (lies or musquitoes, and Indians are no better than these. I 
 f toll vou, down that river I will go, and build there, as I 
 i:a\e been ordered. It the river was blocked up, I have 
 iv- sufficient to burst it open, and to tread under my feet 
 ; ,1 who oppose, together with their allies: for my force is 
 the s . Therefore, here is your 
 
 wampum I fling il at \ 
 
 Child! you talk foolishly. You say, that this land is 
 \ours, but there is not so much as the black of my nail of 
 n yours. It is my laud, and I will have it ; let who will say 
 : linst it. You may buy and sell with the English as you 
 i)lea-e but the land shall be mine. If your people will be 
 nned by me, they may expect kindness, but not otherwise." 
 
 I then asked him wh it he had done with the English pn- 
 -oners that the (."hippeways had ukeu last year. He replied, 
 
 Child, do in): concern yourself about this matter. You 
 think it a grea hardship that we took those people. But we 
 >ent them to Canada to inform the governor of what the En- 
 L lish intend against us. 
 
 " Brother, I have told you ad. Take this wampum and 
 iet me hear you." 
 
 Washington received the wampum and replied 
 
 " Brother I am glad to meet my brothers here in council. 
 L thank yon for this wampum, and for the good- will you have 
 in-inii es ed for my nation. I have been ordered by your 
 brother, the (. ovrrnor of Virginia, to acquaint you, that I 
 must proceed with all possible despatch, to visa the French 
 commandant, and to deliver to him a letter of very great im 
 portance to your brothers, the English ; and, I believe, also 
 to you their friends and allies. 
 
 18
 
 198 TUB WII.UKR.: 
 
 " I was desired, by your brother, tiie Governor, to call 
 upon you the sachem? of I hi. nations, to inform you of my 
 errand, and to ask your advice and assistance how to pro 
 ceed by the best and nearest road to the r mieh. You see, 
 brother, I have <rot thus far on my journey. 
 
 " His honor also de<i;e:l me to apply to \ on for provi 
 sions, and for some of your young men to conduct us on our 
 way, and to be a faff miaul against the French Indians, who 
 have taken up the hatchet a;;;; ins! us. I have spoken thus 
 particularly to you, brothers, because his honor the Gover 
 nor-wishes to treat you as his friends and allies, and holds 
 you in great esteem. 
 
 To confirm yen in what I have said, I give you this string 
 of wampum/" 
 
 Masaakenkas, the chief of the Wiandots, now addressed 
 the presiding sachem. 
 
 "Brother if you will hear one who speaks plainly one 
 who flatters no person, you will attend to me. I approve 
 not of these proceedings : this low submission to an English 
 emissary who is sent here to sow dissention between us and 
 our French allies. 
 
 "Brother did you think I would listen to your abuse of 
 my friends, and not rise to reply I I knew the French eom- 
 mandmant he is now dead. 1 heard so but yesterday, and 
 while his memory is yet green in my mind, I will not hear it 
 traduced, unanswered. 
 
 Brother! He was a man of truth. He often told me that. 
 the designs of the English were to engross the west, as they 
 have already engrossed the east, for their people, f believed 
 him ; for I have seen enough of the English on the banks of 
 the Genesee and the Mohawk not to know their intention* 
 against us. 
 
 " Brothei the genera! no doubt told you the same. \Vliy 
 did you not believe him I \Yhy will not King Shiiigiss nor 
 queen ASliquippa believe him . Because your minds are full 
 of the stories of the English traders who came down the 
 river. And who are those English traders? What kind of 
 men are they J - Have you not found them out, and have you 
 not often acknowledged them to be cheats, imposters, and 
 liars! Brother, have you ev<-r found truth in anv ot them
 
 1HK \\1LDEK.SKSS. 99 
 
 >. o 1 will answer for you; and 1 will say that sooner will 
 you tint! the waters of tin: Ohio flowing back over the Alle- 
 i:.ienv mountains to mix \\ilh the <xre;:.i sea on tlie east, tnan 
 li.ul honesty in any of their miners that come amonii you. 
 
 iirother I do not think we, should grant an escort to 
 : nd the enemies who are no\v in o ir in safety to 
 
 i;ie French. The French are tender-hearted, and will noi 
 put them to death. Thcs.: men will he only burthensome 
 u> our aiiies who will not thank us for sparing them. 
 
 " Let us, therefore, act wisely, and not be timid-hearted 
 :n the malier. Let us teach the English to send no more of 
 their emissaries as spies amnn(_ r us, under the pretence of 
 ..iship. I know their nation too well m.t to suspect that 
 > lere is some treachery in the pretensions o! this man 
 v.-hom, ii you do riiMit, and act prudently, you will, with all 
 i:is companions, immediately put to death. !f not you will 
 at 1. a.-t, order them to reiimj. at once, to their homes. 
 
 " Brother, you have heard mv proposal is there not vvit- 
 i om in it . " 
 
 Thi* proposal, in its most murderous tendency, was warmly 
 .-upported by several orators of the \Vyandots and the 
 ( -auorhuewagoes one of the latter of whom fiercely ex- 
 
 I 1 
 
 " \Vhat, brotiK-r.^ ! win n the serpent is in your bosom, 
 viil you iondle with him till he stimf you ! \\ ill you, like 
 hildren, spoil \\ith the i;litterin< r of his scales till he inlu- 
 -es his destructive venom into your hearts, wiien ai a single 
 -troke you mi^ht crush him to death, and free yourselves 
 irom danger and the reproach of tolly ! 
 
 Mrotliers Let us sei/e thesi: men, and sucrhice them to 
 
 "iir wrath. It will gratify our allies it will strike terror 
 
 nto our eii MJiies, ami save ourselves from many future cala- 
 
 :l)liii:s. " 
 
 [\usi.iloo-i, Shiniriss, and tlicir parts , opposed thoe vio- 
 unl councils to the utmost of their power, but as the Shan- 
 loaii chiefs had not attended the assembly according to ex 
 pectation, they were likelv to be overcome by the weight 
 uid fury of the French party. The followers ol the latter, 
 therefore, who wi.-hed lor the destruction of the white men, 
 miceiviiuz that it would be inevitably determined on, attemp-
 
 21)0 THK. WILDERNESS. 
 
 ted to surround them, and heat oil I lie Delaware*, v. ho 
 iirmiv kept their ground as their protectors. A considerable 
 clamor and confusion took place, and blows would, no doubt 
 have soon i)ceu exch; consequence of which would, 
 
 in all probability, have been the destruction of Washington 
 and his follower.-", ns th;-i: iar more deter 
 
 mined to carry iiieir point. t;;:\n ihe.ir friends, when the ap 
 proach 01 ihe ptophei Tonneleuka was announced. 
 
 iie hastily entered the area, which miffht be called the 
 council ring, with fire flashing from his eyes, his hair stream 
 ing 111 tiie wind, -and his hands and his awful wand extend 
 ed forward, as if he \\cre rushino- to arrest ihe vengeance of 
 heaven ere it burst upon their devoted heads. Silence and 
 order hau taken place tiie moment he was announced, and 
 now all eyes were immoveably iixed upon him, and the 
 boldest in the council perceiving that displeasure and wrath 
 were marked in his countenance, sat aghast and breathless 
 to hear the annunciation of his errand. 
 
 " iJroiiier.--, brothers! he exclaimed " What were ye 
 about to do . Thank tiie Clreat Spirit that he has in mercy 
 arrested your impious hands. What! would you destroy 
 the favorite of heaven! would you slay the chosen of A lane- 
 to ! for know! short-sighted mortals that ye are, this vei v 
 man whom ye denounced, and were goinsr to sacrifice as an 
 impostor and a spy, has been born to fulfil destinies which 
 will benefit ail mankind. The whole of this waste wilder 
 ness will yet bloom and flourish, in cousequence of his great 
 deeds and heroic virtues. 
 
 "Shrink, brothers, ami shudder at the thought of what 
 vou were s/oing to do! tor had you done it, it would have 
 brought a terrible perdition, the unuilerable panis inflicted 
 by Hie \\raih oi the (ireat Spirit upon you. Repent for your 
 intended crime, be thankful lor vour providential escape. 1 
 will pray tor you, and you will he iorgiven. 
 
 " Oh, Maneto ! " he cried, directing his looks, and lifting 
 his holy wand towards heaven "Oh, Maneto! Thou who 
 haot graciously preserved these people from the crime of 
 murdering him whom thou hast selected from among rnen 
 to execute the benevolent designs thou hast in view for the 
 world, they repent that they intended it; and they implore
 
 THE WILIJKRNK-SS 201 
 
 for forgiveness. Oil ! assure us that tliou lu si forgiven 
 \Vhut siirn shall we ask iVoin thee that they are fur 
 Oh. M.meto! let this be the sign ! Shew the ene- 
 1 i-! 1 . that he is so especially under 
 
 e . "!i his 
 
 
 i to for- 
 
 any of hi- companions during 
 
 "icir pros ting in this country ! Grant this now ti) 
 
 ik < , to ! so that all who see it, and all who 
 
 of i . may see that lie is under thy care, and that 
 
 ! ill }i>- -." \ in: n< --i -l^ Hi" nnv one to h?.rni him, and 
 
 i-n:;unal t it. " 
 
 \t ihi^ nv.i .iient, to the astonishment and conviction of 
 
 MVf-ry one prr.sent, Paddy Fra/:ier entered the coiincil rin, 
 
 1 :< written p-jjjt-,- addres>ri! to the chiefs and warriors 
 
 of ali the nations in alliance with the Fr n vh, d -sirini: them 
 
 o respect, and IM rts of George 
 
 Washinyion, and ilu-se of ! . so that neither shall be 
 
 in any manner anr I, employed in either 
 
 proceeding on, or .turning from their present mission to the 
 
 mmanding the fort and ion es of his most (Christian 
 
 at Le ]!o-:if, on pain oi anv infringement uj)on this 
 
 order hei. i!j con^idere.l as ;: !);-epch of wh:itever treatv or 
 
 treaiies mav exist hetween ! ie (>[)Vnder and his most (. hri^t 
 
 ian Majestv afores.ud. Tiiis document was signed by Le 
 
 Gardenr ih: St. Pierre, commanding oiiicer at \ t u Ikvul. 
 
 It may he h^re mentioned, that Paddy had accidentally 
 met this oiiicer at Vcnan<.o, and ukained from him the above 
 passport without diilicnhy. 
 
 .Massakoukas, and the other hootile cliiefs no .v expressed 
 their sorrow for their ra.-hness, and withdrew all further 
 Oj)j)osi;ion to the friendly intentions of Shini. i-s and ivusta- 
 Joo.i 1:1 favor of Washington.
 
 THE \\II.UKRNE3S. 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Danger is /lorv s ihnr.u d world. 
 Whose <rold< n sands and amber seas 
 
 To dastards are unknown ; 
 V\ here never tributary !>reexe 
 
 Their banner has unfurled, 
 And to that will! ami brilliant zone, 
 
 Which vulLT. ! 1 souls can inner knou, 
 Tho sons e>i ;rlorv cal] theii own, 
 
 Tis theirs, and th"irs nlone: to <m, 
 Till through ioiuf years oi pain and toil 
 They reac.h its shore they tre;ul its soil ; 
 Thru on their native iand its splendors they bestow. 
 
 H.VSKET OF SCRAPS. 
 
 SEVEUAL circumstances, chiefly owing 1 to some difficulty 
 which Kustaloga had in finding certain strings of wampum 
 that lio wished to return to the French, as an evidence of 
 his withdrawing from all dependence upon them, occurred 
 to detain Wnsliiiio-tnii some days, very much against his in- 
 : !iu;ition. at the Loggstown. 
 
 At length, on the last day of November he and his whole 
 party proceeded on their journey, attended hy several In 
 dian chiefs in the character of companions, rather than pro 
 tectors, as it was helieved that no protection \vas at present 
 needed. They took the way to Venango, which was then 
 the nearest French station to the Ohio, and arrived there 
 on the fifth day, without meeting with any thing particularly 
 disagreeable, except bad weather; a circumstance which 
 formed indeed but a small obstacle to so resolute a mind, 
 and so healthy a frain" ;>s Washington s, in the perform 
 ance of his dutv. 
 
 Here he was politely received bv a Captain Joncaire, 
 who commanded at this station, but who did not possess 
 sufficient authority to treat on the subject of governor l.)in- 
 widdic s letter. From this man, who appears to have been 
 both a free liver, and a free speaker, using wine and oaths
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 in equal abundance, \\ ashington became fully apprised of 
 the intentions of the French in respect to the country in 
 
 i! -nine. 
 
 ll;i \in. f become pre iv mellow over his cups, while he 
 treated our party with a iiowmg mid jovial hospitality, he 
 I- iid iheiu without reserve that it was the intention of his 
 gov nnnent to take possession of all the country round the 
 i liio. 
 
 " We are resolved to (Jo it." said he, "and by G d we 
 \ull do it. \Ve know that you English can raise two men 
 
 for our one, but you re so d d slow in your motions that 
 
 \ on never can make head against us. \\ e hear that some 
 of your families design to settle at Shanapin s town in the 
 ? ;.)rin^: but we ll soon pick them up, by heavens, and then 
 to Quebec with them, to ease their consciences of the 
 job!"" 
 
 As no business could be done at. this place, Washington 
 re-commenced his journey as soon as possible, for the fort 
 at I," Bttuif, to which Joncaire ordered a small party of sol- 
 liiers to escort him. The fori was about sixty miles distant, 
 and the difficulty of travellinir, owing 1 to the excessive rains 
 : nd snows that had fallen, and the numerous mires and 
 u ainps over which they were obliged to pass, in order to 
 avoid the creek, winch had become so hi<_ r h and rapid as to 
 render its passage impassable, was so <>Teat that they were 
 ijiward.- of four days in reachin . 
 
 The commander at (<" Bo?uf had very shortly before as- 
 >urned that station, upon t!i(! death of the iaie general. He 
 . ei cived Washington with <freat complaisance, but declined 
 akinir his business into consideration until he should con 
 sult the commander of the neighboring fort who was imme 
 diately sent for. It was four days before the affair was 
 -cttled, and an answer to oovernur Dinwiddie s letter recei- 
 .ed. This answer, we an informed bv the history of the 
 times, was far irom h. ini! satisfactory, containing no indica 
 tion whatever on lh" ]>art oi tile l renc!i, to withdraw from 
 the contested coiiMirv : but the whole management oi Wash 
 ington in the arduous and hazardous enterprise of thus as 
 certaining, in an official manner, their real sentiments and 
 
 * sec Washington s Journnl.
 
 204 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 intentions, merited and obtained from all classes of his coun 
 trymen, the warmest approbation and praise. 
 
 Having obtained this document, which was to be decisive 
 of the question of peace or war between ihe two crowns, he. 
 lo^t no time in commencing his vet urn homewards, ;-s ho 
 knew the public mind anxiously w; .im tl-.e result of 
 
 his enterprise. 
 
 The disappointment of his hopes m securing peace to his 
 country, preyed greatly upon his mind, for, unlike the gen 
 erality of yourg men possessed of high military ardor, his 
 heart sickened at the contemplation of these calamities, 
 which war, and especially war with savages, never fails to 
 inflict upon humanity. In the present instance, in particu 
 lar, he could not help feeling an airony of soul at the idea of 
 the evils to which she, whom he loved belter th- i! the whole 
 world, would, during the appro: , peculiarly 
 
 exposed. 
 
 " Oh ! may heaven protect her from the calamities with 
 which she will, too soon, be surrounded!" be mentalh ex 
 claimed; "alas! that, for her own sake, she would consent 
 to be mine, that I mi;; h(. transplant lie; 1 to a more secure 
 abode. But if she will not consent, may ! have power to 
 watch over her safety, and protect JUT, own shoulff it be 
 unknown to herself, from misfortune. Sweet, sweet will he 
 the employment, if I can only make it comport with my 
 public dut , . 31 N co .mtry, )ny country! yes, thy welfare- 
 must be the first object of my solifilude. Oh, IV] aria. ! mv 
 dearly beloved maiden, forgive n>e, if even to thine. I prefer 
 my country s happiness. Oh, heaven ! I feel, alas! that I 
 am scarcely sincere in saying so; but tbou wilt pardon mv 
 weakness, if I am insincere ; for then knowest that I love 
 that maiden more ardently, alas: <-r >> <]>;it it may not be 
 more ardently than I \o\ c my couhiry." 
 
 In tb.is state of mind, agitated by ho h love and patriotism, 
 Washington bade adieu to Le BCPUJ , and descended lh<; 
 creek, on the banks of which it was built, in a canoe ac 
 companied by another containing the bajnrage and two or 
 three of his people, the horses, being almost worn out with 
 fatigue, having been sent, unloaded, under charge of his 
 other companions some days before, to proceed at easy
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 205 
 
 10 Tiievs u> Shanapin s town, and there; await his arrival. 
 Si >\v and rain, i rost and ihaw, h:;d alternately for many 
 dr s rendered ii.: 1 wciMher extremely dis , and his 
 
 IK -.sao-f. down tile < and 
 
 r.i id siate, v^as both \ oral 
 
 s [he ("inot s were almost s aved ii; r aia:-.t rocks; am 
 qi "ntly b( coming a!.- 1 , all hands were, obliged 
 
 out : !i;l rc iii nn in i an iioar at a tun- . 
 
 i income 
 
 solid . iiu-ir 
 
 v/ y with ii imense :" cai:oes 
 
 u 1 T hind io v.-hcrc thsy migh : I ^iioso 
 
 laiiors, Washington peribnn than double duty, and 
 
 tental jjerseve- 
 r; ire and ioL iitndf . b r 1 -i.in^per- 
 
 t! ^ cnnoes rc - -rook 
 
 v th the A lit" 
 
 :ICK~: anil the hudi 1 - -nted 
 
 t ! ^ni !Vo;n irettin^ aay 1 irrii nru- 
 
 ;inc lixed 
 
 i ill , irf, \vi\!! !l \. : K jrk 111) 
 
 ver. i ; wi ii as much 
 
 nd everv iran also 
 f v/ith as iv as pos 
 
 sible, i he weakness . , rendered their 
 
 ] roin-ess so si<i\v. : m(>re to 
 
 ye Aiaria. and io;-\var(i his spate n s, ihat 
 
 t. : ere \vas no ; rsonalh \vailijiif on (ho slow in Mions 
 
 ( : IMS partv, deleratf!d to vanhraani th" e!iar;n 01 hrmijinof 
 t iciii td l^ivi/ier s b.o! --e. whore hi: "ri fided to remain till 
 ". a ;;; .-.I. 
 
 !)< )!":] iire\v oil his n--nal elolh"s. \ rapped himsell in 
 
 ;ck, in wiiicii h^jiyd 
 
 ve ired Ins ii"e- ssar\ pap -rs and ii/os i-ions, ;uid \^ Mh his 
 ! lie :;i IIH hand a:id a. (ia; ~ /. i r a! I; is side, hastened onwards, 
 :,(.((> nioamed l>y i a<!i y l ra/ier, efinipped and armed in n 
 ; imd.tr manner. They journeyed briskly n ;l boldly amidst 
 ".oods. through thinkers, n\-er mor,i~:~es, :, ., swollen rivers.
 
 206 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 and deep ravines, lor two days, when they fell in with a 
 party of three French Indians, who had laid an ambush for 
 them. These fired at, our travellers when only about twelve 
 yards distant, but miraculously missed them. Faddy imme 
 diately killed one of these men, and Washington gave chase 
 to another, whom he soon overtook and made prisoner. 
 This fellow acknowledged that he had taken a deliberate 
 aim at Washington, and could scarcely believe his senses 
 when he saw that lie had missed him, for, he said, "it was 
 the only aim lie ever recollected to have taken at six times 
 the distance without striking his object." 
 
 Paddy catching at this idea, resolved to work upon the su 
 perstitious feeling of the Indian, and boldly asserted that 
 Maneto had made Mr. Washington s body impenetrable 1o 
 any ball that should ever be fired with gunpowder; and that 
 the Indians might as we d aim at one of the stars, with the 
 expectation of piercing it, as at him. As this prisoner was 
 sje*t at liberty the iiexuiav, ho circulated Paddy s information 
 through all his tribe, from whom it soon snread among the 
 neighboring nations : and that Washington possessed such a 
 miraculous property is i , believed by many of them. 
 
 Two days after escaping the foregoing peril, they encoun 
 tered another, from which it reqired more dexterity, and in 
 finitely greater presence of mind to extricate themselves. 
 They had gained the Aileghany river about two miles above 
 Shanapin s tou si, ne .my opposite to an island, now called 
 Wainright s i i-old they had endured, they 
 
 expected to find the river so crumpleiely frozen, that they 
 would have no trouble in passing over. Out instead of this 
 they found its waters greatly raised, and carrying down, in 
 a rapid stream, large masses of ice, which passed along with 
 so much velocity as to threaten every tiring they should 
 encounter with destruction. 
 
 Pass the river, however they knew they must, otherwise 
 the Chance was, that they would soon be discovered by bands 
 of the hostile Indians, whom they had every reason to sup 
 pose were now pursuing them ; and there was no way for it. 
 but by a raft, to make M hich they possessed no other tool 
 than one very indifferent hatchet. To men like them, how 
 ever, no difficulties are insuperable. To work they set, and
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 20? 
 
 in something less than a day they had a raft constructed of 
 
 logs fastened together with hickory withes, on which they 
 vf ntured to commit themselves to the flood. 
 
 In pushing it across the stream with their poles they had 
 gr;at dnilfimv in keeping ch:ar of the large fragments of ice 
 ihu were rolling down \viih apparent fury, as if they would 
 dash the frail structure to which they had now committed 
 their safety, to pieces. In defiance of all their efforts, it at 
 h- iath became entangled with a huge mass, which got un 
 derneath its edge, and drove it onwards. Washington with 
 his pole made a violent effort to clear it from this mass, by 
 using his whole strength to push it aside, when, unfortunately, 
 the pule slipped from under him, and be fell into the Hood, 
 in a depth of more than twenty-feet of water. We struggled 
 fur several minutes wilii the stream and the flocks of ice that 
 v ere passing around him, and sometimes over him, but his 
 efforts would have been fruitless, and he would have been 
 lust to a truly bereaved world, had not his companion with 
 great dexterity and considerable risk, contrived to introduce 
 i: ider his breast one end of his pule, which Washington 
 i sianiiv seizing, drew himself within reach of the raft, and 
 i immediately sprung upon it. At that instant it broke asunder 
 rind Paddy Frazier was in a moment under one ot its logs 
 MI the water. The impulse of the stream, however, soon 
 Moved the log from above him, and lie arose to the surface ; 
 but unable to stem the currenl with the same strength that 
 
 iYiishington had ojterled, it was fa.st driving him away, when 
 ins heroic companion, forsaking the log on which he iloated, 
 .-prang --li ter him, widi his pole in his hand. He fortunately 
 "ii L h! him just as me current was carrying him under the 
 
 dge of a large sheet of ice that jutted out from a point in 
 i ie island. Here: ho held him upon the surface, by the as- 
 
 istanco of his pole, while he broke away the edge of the 
 
 e until it became thick and strong enough to bear his weight. 
 : y an astonishing effort of activity he then placed himself 
 n it, and asM.-ted Paddy to follow. In a moment more they 
 .vert; both on the Island, 
 
 " \\ e are safe, now, thank (Jod !" cried Paddy, as soon as 
 
 ie (Mine in contact uith the solid earth. " 1 never got such 
 
 i cold dip in my life before. But I hope sir, 1 did nt hint 
 
 ,IIM |i\- slriknio- the pole under vonr hre.it."
 
 208 THE W 
 
 " Thank God," indco - , for c-uch an esrnpe !" said A - 
 ington," it has been truly miraculous , !;;-d \ve ;ys!~?ed drivi"? 
 upon thai ice, \ve ; : 
 
 breast, there is no injury done. The 1 stroke hnvt me a lit - 
 at the time, br.t I feel nothing of it MOV/. But 1 am gbu! ihru 
 you have kept your senst - so ", II. [expected that you would 
 have altog ; yon 
 
 have really ^ stout 
 
 " Not so stout as y< i, sir," replie ! Paddy, : < 
 gone hut one dipping; h-:d : :t; two, 3 
 
 think it would now have been as eoM as the ice we havejust 
 left. But our difficulties are now over, and I expect we 
 shall be comforl ie in a couple ot 
 
 hours." 
 
 " Then Ictus walk swiftly," said V\ r n? ;i;^(on, who indeed 
 longed much to be there. 4i I3ri k ex- Tci-e will keep us from 
 freezing, in sniio of our wetn^s-. 
 
 They accordingly hastei ;ards, nnd found no c;- : - 
 
 eiilty in getting off the it-h:]-*;, as, -tern side, it ap 
 
 proached very near the land, from which it w. 1 - then only 
 separated by a narrow and sircn<r bridge of ice. 
 
 As they walked fast, and as ! ;:;ddy knew the best and 
 nearest road, they were seated at his Cither s lire-side in a 
 shorter time than he had predict d. Refreshments, and a 
 change of raiment for each, were soon prr-duced ; and Wash 
 ington, havino- ascc Jtuined that I Mtained in tho 
 park which had been .-ecurcly fastened to .his shoulders, IUK! 
 suffered no tin mage, felt hitnseii , after the dangers and diffi 
 culties he i. i "n<.X p"one. rv>re ihan usually disposed to er.- 
 joy thankfully to enjoy the happiness of being under the 
 same roof, and under the presence of the sweet mistress oi 
 his affections. He had tvcn the satisfaction to hear her ex 
 press her fervent gratitude ;o r-ea.ven < v> r his escape from J H 
 perils that h?d surrounded liii:... ; ami he could not help bless 
 ing her in hi-i he:.;-!, lor hor sympalhy ?:?d kindness, an- 
 congratulating himself for having excited them in a bosom ;; 
 pure, so intelligent, so tender, and so [ovely, 
 
 " Ah!" thought he. this indeed is happiness worih havi:i!.- 
 M ffered something ior. Surely she must feel for my welfair 
 nn interest warmfr than mere frienHship ronld inspire, uh^r
 
 s " has so little hesitation in expressing it. I! , indeed, she 
 u Te the child of artiiiri;,! cultivation, 1 mi.?h !;avc some 
 ; ason to district . -erity nl his manifestation of her 
 
 lathy ;<r nn : i nature, 
 
 f \ .d n| m!ih. ;UH ! 1 mi " that she feels -li!. pc: 
 
 :.--. U nil e\ i iiulnls/e the 
 
 re, IT 
 
 : 
 
 I aenu! and 
 r-fcui ernment. 5? and freedom from 
 
 embarrassment, v. ; expresses an 
 
 intetest i i our concerns, are cMU-n fondly mistaken tor m;ir|.:s 
 r :--- ;!. \vli an friendship 
 
 < os.ir h"t r!s, 
 , oHen deceive 
 oiily increases 
 
 e !iim- 
 him, 
 
 ;-s to 1 ; .- they iiiier desciip- 
 
 "::. !: . ither did !-e !m.v:k 
 
 :!;:(!":!; the " formed, if nol a* t!;is | 
 
 in"hi : ir ;i iui n r her, so 
 
 hat he vohm arily deprived hii\ - f!f oi tiie only means he 
 i 0i ! - ! ; ; i" r IUTS. iv.it !H ac .- d so from mo- 
 
 ivcs ol delii" \v ish \n make 
 
 his public - Meet of hi* 
 
 .itK .niio!! ; it so (>( 
 
 h\< sclkili 
 
 Tiie nr\! fi iy this resolution rm \vih a trial of n> strength 
 and firmness, o which, had it no! i>"e;i formed in such a 
 mind as ^Vasllirl^Iton s, it must have yielded. 
 
 The d;iy. thon< h cvld, \v> r-o" -id^rrihlv more cnlm and 
 s"! ! -d ii ^n and - .her tlr- i .v! ti>! sr.ine \\~ec !<> preceded it; 
 v ic i. s!:;;r . v ;;i ;er br f> :ik! -ist, thf ! e!.>ved :f i:i- son! invited 
 hi -i > -( > \v; li.. Ve s , reader tr,is \v::s tcmutatidn ! 
 M:i! i:i it;\ !! ;; h" i u \vdk in ci -(i) p.-.ii v \viih her to Al.iunip- 
 [a s. i! .\v did hi-- !""ivi i-eat at the id"a ! I iid he r. i i.i:-e ? 
 ?N<P he cniild not. f ut to keep his resolution of not dis- 
 tii -hlriiT h ri r wi h )i; p-5<^!on. if i sbiieU lip in the U T".
 
 210 THE WILDKRNES3. 
 
 disagreeable to her, he was determined; and he had fortitude 
 tiiou-rli to withstand any temptation to do -it present, what he 
 wa* c >:isi;.i us could with more proprie.v be done at another 
 period. 
 
 Sir, said she, as lhe\ walked alone, " tin; iniii:u: < 
 we are /oii; > to vi.-il, iuio Crom my infancy, been one ol tnv 
 most disinterested friends and greatest favorites. She is At 
 tached to the ciuse of your nntion, and when she heard of 
 yo .n business at th.e Logvstown, and -it LeBceuf, f.\\e felt a 
 little mortified that you did not visit her on your way to 
 tho.-e places. She has conversed with me .several times 
 about you. and desired me. as soon as you should return, to 
 accompany you to her residence. I promised 1 should. ;\i*d 
 I now ijo with vou in eon-enueuce of mv word. As I be 
 lieve you do not speak Indian, J will, if you have no objec 
 tion, be your i:;i 
 
 Objection to vour heir,,: my interpreter! Miss Fr-r/iev. 
 My delight will but pardon me. 1 must restrain the expres 
 sion of my feelings I. do not, indeed, speak Indian, and 
 shall, of course, be glad of your assistance. As to l!d- ; queen, 
 your brother lias given me an account of her partiality for our 
 own cause ; and 1 should think myself deficient in my duty, 
 if T did not call upon her to pay her my respects, and con 
 firm her favorable sentiments towards us; for 1 fe-ar we shall 
 soon require as many friends in this quarter, as it is in our 
 power to make.-" 
 
 1 hope, said Matia, " that your people will not push 
 matters to extremity, for war is a shocking calamity ; and 1 
 trust ;h e Indians will be more guarded for the future, not to 
 provoke your people, since they see you are about to take it 
 up seriously. Indeed, Mr. Washington, if the French had 
 onlv let them alone, half the excesses they committed last 
 summer would not have taken place. 
 
 " We blame not the Indians," observed Washington, "so 
 much as the French. The designs of the latter are not per 
 ceived by the poor deluded savages. It is their schemes of 
 political ambition and aggrandizement, which will drive us 
 into war. Oh, .Maria! ere the nations draw the sv, ord, I 
 wish you were safe out of this Wilderness." 
 
 \nd whv do von wi-h so?" observed Maria, affecting
 
 THK WILDERNESS. 211 
 
 a iono u( simple surprise. " Here live my parents, and to 
 n::i away i roin them, you could not supno.se either pardon 
 able." 
 
 wish of my heart," returned 
 
 "\ . a- too without having any rational 01 
 
 exeu mnils on which io explain it. i ne time mny 
 
 but pauion me, I will not trouble you with my nnti- 
 
 MIS. ^ ou ai :lit not n ngreeable and, alas! 
 
 : iay never be i\:a!>/ed ! : 
 
 1 do not wish to inquire into any of your views, whether 
 persona] or political, that you may desiie to conceal, ob- 
 >-rved Mark. Hut that they are all rational, and not only 
 excusable, but l^uiaMe, I have confidence enough in your 
 lorn and iiHejjTity, to believe without any explanation. 
 JS one, therefore, is necessary. I>ut yonder is the queen s 
 vi. sidence. ?-l\i>. will, 1 expect, be \vuiiin.<r our arrival. 
 
 Snanno.ui majesty received V> ashir,<) tori very gra- 
 i ousiy, although she jrave him a sliglit. reprimand for not 
 
 -iMiii); her, a? he had formerly passed .-o nesr her. re:-i- 
 
 l MlCC. 
 
 iiut brotlier," said she with a smile, "1 suppose; you 
 loiiffht a woman s friendship of very little consequence to 
 our nation." 
 
 \\ ashiniitoii assured her thai, he had a hii> h respect for lu r 
 chaiactcr, and a sincere desire to cultivate her <n>od will on 
 
 rountn iiii. n. 
 
 \Vhen i ii. fore passed this way, said he, 1 did no! 
 know that yur \\ij\vam u as so near to me; hesidi:s, I had 
 
 ot tiien, as I jiow iiave. an interpreif r 10 enable me to con- 
 . erse witii you. But as a proof of mv regard, 1 hope, 
 mother, that you will accept of some presents 1 shall send 
 
 on, as soon as my bausr Ji e, which I expect dailv, shall ar- 
 iiveat Mr. [Brazier s. In the meantime, receive these )e\\- 
 i niL s, in token of my personal regard, and this string of 
 vampiim, as a cement to the amity between you and mv 
 nulion. 
 
 The (|ii( i ii. on her part, presented him willi a wampum, 
 hanked him lor ihe iim;> and the presc-nts he had promised, 
 md assured him that she had always felt a \wj\\ regard fi 
 ios couutrvmen ; and lhat.on his account, lhat regard should
 
 2 I 2 I HE WILDERNESS, 
 
 for the limn to come, he still higher. Washington took his 
 leave, and returned to Frazier s with Maria, much pleased 
 with ihe resuh of his visit. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 How dear is the heart- warming throb of delimit, 
 When liter ionc .-,o;.sons oi absence and pain. 
 
 The maid ho ai!oiv.> greets the ii:M<l lover s si] 
 An l r "-f clasps her a; 
 
 . I VF.I. .,J:f:UR. 
 
 WHKN they were about midway on. their ro;ul towards 
 Frazier s, they perceived a company of apparently thirty 
 or forty men, and as many more horses laden with baggage, 
 winding slowly down the bank of the river. Washington 
 immediately conjectured them to be a second p-.irty which 
 he had heard the Ohio coinp my contemplated sending this 
 season, to make another attemnt to take possession of their 
 territon*. 1 here was, at ica^l. no doubt of their bein.of Enjj- 
 lish, and Maria, and he, somewhat quickened their pace to 
 approach them, which they perceived they could oon do, 
 as tiie road on which the strangers travelled, joined tbeir s 
 at no crre it distance before them. 
 
 When .Maria hvui advanceii ^o near as !o bp. able to dismu 1 - 
 uish their persons, she suddenly stopped, and, by her chan^..- 
 of color, betraved considerable emoiion of mini!. She how 
 ever, recovered instamiv. and althon^li Washington had 
 no:iccd her coni iision, lie did not consider it any thing extra 
 ordinary, as he ascribed it to the timidity naturrd to so 
 secluded a female, whpn approaching to s<> largn- a company 
 of strangers.
 
 THE VVU.DEK\t:ss. 213 
 
 1 Fear nothing, Miss Frazier, " said lie " these are friends, 
 
 \\ ill offer us ro injury. ? 
 
 li l fear nothir.T said she, " I know that they are friends, 
 
 tint - " >!enlv held hoi- peace as at that 
 
 -,v that, th o appeared to act ns the 
 
 ie: !< company ii:\d : them, for ho had turn- 
 
 eci his horse, nnd was ruling swiiiiy through the brush tn- 
 
 u- 
 
 She asf.-i.uned all her self-command, and said in alow voice 
 to Washington "This is Mr. Adderly, who commanded 
 tin- Ohio expedition last year. lam <rlad that he has arrived 
 bi :<M-C you left us, o that you may become acquainted with 
 e: h o her. 
 
 ! am yhui of it too, for 1 have heard much in his praise. * 
 
 (I V- a-hii: 
 
 iiy this time (. harlos had approached, and alighted from 
 
 horse, and Alan; , with jjreat eifort. assuming the 
 
 aj pearance of an unrestrained but composed cordiality of 
 
 rn .nner. shook him bv the hand and welcomed him. She 
 
 is n-y IViet d j\Ir. Vv i shington, 
 
 IV 111 \ i(ri|]!-i. 
 
 ( liarh-^, with an involuntary coldness in his manner salu- 
 tf-d \\ ::s!iinifton, and drily observed "that lie should always 
 br frlad to meet \\\\\\ any friend of Miss Fia/.ier. " 
 
 \\ a.-hin";ton s niann< -r, how(. v ver. in a moment dispelled 
 th s cnl;:- - sincerity and even warmth, lie 
 
 " A -ir. Adderly ! 1 aw really rejoiced to me t with you, for, 
 lv both public and privaio report, I have had the 1 means of 
 a cerbi.ihiiifj the wor:h of your character; and 1 trust that, 
 n - the. affairs of the west have attracted the attention o! us 
 ) t i, wo will bf able to render each o .lier assistance in jiro- 
 t !!"- it from in! enemv, "Mid promoiin " the vi(-\vs of our 
 c iintrv in . ief- inif i ^ se .th ment. " 
 
 "Mr. \\ : shii-;M-)ii ! * rep i"(l ( hr-rles. t lc: ((-stiinony of 
 t e public voice in your Javor. since you :-n irallanlly ciubark- 
 f in the ardoons mission toj,e i>;cuf, is too flntterin^ for me 
 l repeat in your presence, but is in reality, I believe, still 
 (? ;ort of what you deserve. I shall, indeed, lejoice in your
 
 214 I III. Wll.DKKNKSS, 
 
 friendship! ami now, .Miss Frazier, may i a.->k how it !ia-; 
 fared with you ami and your father s family since { saw 
 yon. 1 mean [ mean n<> mailer, " .said lie, with a smile, 
 for he percoi ved ins own emotion, and hastilv threw it oil . 
 "How -n Nancy and Paddy, and 
 
 J)oclor j\ii a hre 
 
 :\on< ; ol us have nict. with any serious accident ; although 
 I mu>t. confess we passed the la:-*!, summer in ureal alarm 
 and anxiety on account of the Indian outrage* that were com 
 mitted on the border-settlers. 
 
 " Bui I trust that your family has nothing to fear," ob 
 served Charles: -is not Tonnaleuka still your friend " 
 
 " Sti-l ,.s llnnlv as ever, " ,sho replied : but even he, yon 
 know, cannot always control the nnruiv dispositions of re- 
 ;:en. 
 
 " ilajipy would it ho for this region if he could ! " ohs -r- 
 
 \ f(\ V\ ashington. ; Tiie calamities our borders suffered 
 
 :miner \vouid not then have stained its annals. Bui, 
 
 Mr. Aiiderly, nr-iy I a-k., whr.t is the ohjecl of tiiis pn. sent 
 
 fn erprise of which, I presume, you are the leader?" 
 
 "1 am, indeed, intrusted with us management," replied 
 Charles; for notwithstanding my former misfortunes, the 
 Ohio company have ventured airain to place confidence in me. 
 They supposed, I helieve, thai Iliad learned wisdom hy ex 
 perience , but i confess. Mr. Washington, that if 1 did not 
 know ihat the hostile Indians are retired to their winter 
 ah ides, I should feel almost as awkwardly fixed with ihe 
 handful of men, I now have, as I did last year." 
 
 "The company ought to have furnished you with n torce 
 adequate for the designs they contemplate," returned Wash 
 ington. -What number of men have you " 
 
 " I have about forty, pretty well furnished with arms and 
 stores, it is true: hut had it not been that I calculated when 
 I started, upon (he season being favorable for our operations, 
 by keeping the great force of our enemies at a distance, 1 
 acknowledge, I should n it have been wining to venture here 
 with fewer than ten times as many. As to our intentions, 
 they are pretty much the same as they were last year 
 namely, to take possession of the country in the name of 
 his Britannic Majesty, and on behalf of his good cousins 
 a iid loving subjects, the Ohio Company.
 
 i UK W1LUKRNESS. 215 
 
 \ on intend, of cour.-e, to fortify yourselves?" replied, 
 "Washington. 
 
 Of course," returned Charles; -and if we can only 
 i a ire t j elFect that before the French or Indians attack us, 
 elieve we shall do pretty well; otherwise our success 
 nvu- he the counterpart of last year s. But we have daring 
 he -is and stoui hands, low as they are, and we will do our 
 be-;, and providence may favor us." 
 
 I sincerely pray that it may," said Washininon. , But 
 coi.ld not the company have raised a stronger force for the 
 occ is ion ? " 
 
 .No, sir. it. was with difficulty we could collect the folio w - 
 < j r.- we have. Few. are at present willing to embark person- 
 ii! a warfare a<jainst barbarous and hostile savages, who 
 treat their prisoners with such horrible cruelly ; anil had it 
 no been supposed that your mission w.as likely to have the 
 ell ct of preventing 1 opposition to our measures, at least Irom 
 the French, who were at the root of the disaster of last sea- 
 on, we could not have mustered our present nui.uber. 
 
 Have you concluded where to build your fort. " asked 
 \\ ashinylon. 
 
 .Noi absolutely, 1 replied Charles; "1 am at this time 
 let 1 mii -h to my own discretion in the matter last year the 
 HT"Uiid was prescribed to me. If you have examined the 
 country, .Mr. Washington, I should be ulad to have your nil- 
 vice in this particui;.: ." 
 
 -For various reasons," replied Washington, "I would 
 prefer the forks at Shanapins to the height at Chartier f 
 or-ek, where you made your former attempt. But this is 
 too military a subject of conversation to be relished by .Miss 
 F: i/icr. If you have no objection, therefore, to postpone it, 
 1 shall, on a more? convenient occasion, give you. at, lull 
 length, my reasons for this opinion." 
 
 I was myself hcirinninir to think," said Charles, "that 
 w Lad unfortunately fallen upon a subject that could not 
 ai ord much entertainment to Miss Fra/.ier. 1 then-lore ap- 
 p; )\ f e of your hint; but shall be ulad to hear you upon this 
 matter at any oilier time tiiat may suit you. 
 
 "(Tenth-men," observed Maria, "a useful topic of discourse 
 < n never be disagreeable to me; and 1 be;/ you not to 
 : :aiii>e vour subject on mv account
 
 ~lb THK U ll.DERXESS. 
 
 " It would be more becoming- at present," said Washing 
 ton, "to converse on matters on which you can join us; 
 and you cannot but suppose that we led the impropriety of 
 two young men engrossing to themselves the convex, if >p 
 when then. 1 is a l::(iy pn ; 
 
 When your .:! suppose that their gallantry may 
 
 be doubted," returned Maria, " they may, with pn-prictx 
 enough, b .: anxious to show it oi! by their pointed politeness 
 to our :-ex. But, in the present instnnce, this anxiety is un 
 necessary, for 1 do not harbor the - Lispicion : s;ainst 
 either of you in I!P C - 
 
 Your generosity then (jives us credit." said Washing 
 ton, " for what in reality we did not lately appear to posses--; 
 and it would be the heiir it of injustice to you if in return lor 
 such generosity \ve should exclude you from our conversa 
 tion nay. k-t me add. Miss Frazier, it would be cruelty to 
 ourselves." 
 
 " 1 perceive," replied Maria," that you now want to make 
 up for your supposed deficiency in politeness ; but sinco 
 you are , rallan.t <y >::k j mei , L-.rni this is the course o 
 1 must submit. ~S ( T i may, tin u a full stream 
 
 of compliment. 1 v. hi listen .> you." 
 
 " \ou will also forgive us, i trust, Miss Frazier," replied 
 Washington, " if in wishing to pay that respect which we 
 owe to your sex, we express ourselves so that you may 
 wrongfully imagine us insincere; I protest, on my own part, 
 and I think 1 may with safety say, on the part of Mi. Ad- 
 derly. that we have neither uttered, nor intend to utter, fiuj 
 thing concerning you but with sincerity. Compliment 1 
 heo; leave to remind you is often truth n?v. to deny it, is 
 sometimes to deny justice. 
 
 "And Miss Frazier, will surely admit." observed (, harles. 
 " that in the pre-ent. instance, we have, offered her no more 
 civility than bolh as a friend and a female she had a right to 
 expect/ 
 
 At this moment they came up \vith the Ohio Company s 
 parly :,t the junction of the roads, and Charles had to t x- 
 press the last words of his remark in rather an under voice. 
 He had scarcely finished it, when Peter M Fall approached 
 Maria with his hat off, and making a low, but very respect 
 ful bow, addresed her:
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 217 
 
 1 Vo\v. by the powers ! mis resr?, hut I am triad to see you 
 li\;:ii> aiiain; lor 1 thou-yht Hi: savages had killed every soul 
 of : Christian in the \\ ilderness." 
 
 \Vr are nor all killed yet, YOU perceive, Peter," .-tie, re- 
 pin ,1. But you are welcome had; to the woods, and 1 am 
 really triad to see you look;:; ;- so well." 
 
 - i;Ookit;;r well," returned Peter, raising his frame to an 
 e\\ -I attitude, and putting on what lie supposed to he one of 
 h\> most ;\ liveable looks. "Ay, hy inv mv troth, and Pe 
 ter M Fali was horn to look well. JSure, didn t mv own 
 mother tell me so when 1 was no binder than your knee, 
 in; \ i plase your ladyship." 
 
 I mean that you look healthy, Peter," said Maria. 
 
 iiealthv," replied Peter, somewhat disappointed. "And 
 i^ dim nil! iiut I)Y mv so\v!. I think Dr. Killbreath would 
 he a hotter judue of that, than vour ladyship. It would he 
 a devilishly diiicrent matter as to mv looking well. But 
 does Your ladvship know whether the doctor he livinir, or 
 ro ; sted hv the Indians yet?" 
 
 tie is s iil livinor -and well," replied .Maria. ; and I he- 
 lie /e is just now to he found at no <jrcat distance." 
 
 Viien, hy tiie holy piper ! 1 suppose 1 he s at our father s 
 house I must run to see him;" exclaimed Peter, " Mas- 
 te , it is oniv to o tve me leave for a minute or two, that I 
 may ;rct on before these I.I/Y lurf drivers, and shake the doc 
 tor s ould hone for him master, just say the word now, and 
 If me oil- a wink will do it." 
 
 "There is do use for such haste," said Charles, "you 
 w il sec the doctor presently." 
 
 "Oeh ! now just jrive me the wink, master," persisted Pe 
 te . "my heels are so itchv to run, and my hand so itchy 
 te shake the doctor s list for him, that, by my faith ! the de 
 vil a step ran Peter wait longer on the company, that may 
 ci i\vl alter me through the woods as slow as a hangman s 
 march, if thev please ! 
 
 Peter was about starting olF at, full speed, for he percei- 
 v d, or what to him was the same thiuo-, he imagined he, 
 perceived an approving glance twinkle in Charles s eye 
 when he received a heaw thump upon th.p shoulder, which 
 n :ide him exclaim
 
 ?. 18 THE \\ll.l) LRM.&3. 
 
 Blood and thunder ! who s thin. " ;md turning round, 
 he seized ! )r. N illbreatli in Ins ; rins. 
 
 }]y the holy Hndirei 1 doctor" h;- cried, lif tintr him fair 
 ly otf ih : <!Touij .u :ind swinging him round him \vitli urc;: 
 exultation " bul i s >ur ould bones yet! 
 
 The savages, bad luck 
 of you y . i y sov\ i. 
 
 a iooi as to come hue 
 
 made YOU into a cinder lon^f ; :/<>; for, i knew, if fhev took 
 you again, you wouldn t have Peter AIcFali to siand at your 
 back, and whisk you thromrii a Kennel like a lialf-drowncd 
 cat. on; of ih;--iv reach.. A.rrah, doct< i Svi-nan iic 
 
 praised! you havf iioh aiiil blooci i>n vou \"ct! : 
 
 When Peter had finished this rhapsody, he :viievc<! tin 
 doetor from his ;.>rasj>. and i-.hcfd iiitn i sruin on i ; - e;>.rtii. 
 
 "Faith. Priori cri- d Kiiibreath, whni he had recover 
 ed wind (. uon^ ii to sinicuiate "the Indians ^\-oiiid have 
 spared me to little purpose if you had kc\>\ me much longer 
 squee/ed up in those horrible clutches of \ ours. It would 
 have been only excrhangin-i burned boiies for broken OIP.^ 
 or beinir calcined to :i cinder, for beina cruslied to a 
 mummy !" 
 
 " ^ by, sure now, doctor." returned Peter sympathizinjf- 
 ly, "I didn t hurt your ould carcass. Theflevil take me, it an 
 Irishman at the lair of old \\ icklo\v would have thought 
 any thing of such a hug." 
 
 Hui_ r !" cried t]ic doctor, ruiiln n^ and twisting his sides, 
 which still ached from the pressure of Peter s grasp; why 
 the husi" of a bear would lie but a trill e to such squeezing. I 
 would as soon be crushed in a eider press." 
 
 " Och ! now. doctor, be asv, and give me your list fur 
 ould times," cried Peter; "never mind the squeezing; it 
 was onlv an Irish welcome for your Pennsylvany boiie?. 
 Och! botheration to ii. if 1 would give the toss of a ha pen 
 ny lor these cold dish-water meetinjrs between ould friends, 
 tiial scarcelv touch the skin of each other s lingers." So 
 sayino-, he ga.ve the doctor s hand such a squeeze as made 
 him roar out, and absolutely brought tears to his eves. 
 
 "By the great Colomb !" continued Peter, somewhat sor- 
 rv for Ins r.i -hnpss, "but I thought, doctor, that vou were
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 219 
 
 le of better stuff. I really believe I have splintered your 
 kles for yon. Arrah.m>w! if you would live more op 
 I :tto< .- instead of appi .-. vou would have stouter bones, 
 de r doctor. But toll me no\v, how is your sweetheart, the 
 pi tty. p ump. black-eved lass of the woods hero, that you 
 U3 ci !<> oast at vour ov.- er supper;? in Philadelphia?" 
 
 Ilu^Ii!" cried the doctor, in an under voice. "sa> lio- 
 thhinf, dear Peter, sav nothing about this matter; you ii see 
 her shortly, but be mum. I ll tcil yon ;u;ain all about it." 
 
 Me then cari /hl Peter s arm, ami ihev set off together for 
 Frazier s house. wheve the whole psirty soon arrived, and 
 Gilbert ;\!id jNeily had once more me ]:le:is!ire. of which 
 they did not fail to inform their guests, of beholding some 
 of the blood of Mnujrhryffowjin under irieir roof. 
 
 Towards thv; evenino 1 of ;he following day, Vanbraain 
 arrived \vith A\ ashinir ( on s ba<ji>atro, and th.e rest of his i ol- 
 lou ers. The presenis promised to the Shannoah queen 
 were u lveii over to the care of Paddv Frazier. who imino- 
 diriteU proceeded to her residence, and delivered them to 
 her majesty ; and Washinplon prepared to leave Maria and 
 the \Vilderiiess, which was now to him the dearest spot in 
 th" world, the next morning, liefore he set otf, however, 
 C i:iries Adderly had proceeded with his parly to take pos- 
 st <sion o! the t orUs at Shanapins, where Washing toii s rea- 
 X uini: had coininctd him of the [iroprieiy of erecting the 
 contemplated fort. These two youn<v hero(-> took larewoll 
 ol eac-h other, improved v.ilh the slroiio-est ieelinys of mu- 
 ti. ,1 respect, but litlie knowing that they were each other s 
 ri\als in a master on which each fell, at that time, that (in* 
 \\ idle life s happiness depended. It is true, thai Charles, 
 o- rip -etinji- .Maria and Washington together in the wood*. 
 a we ha\e s(>en, had permitted a transient suspicion on this 
 subject to alarm his mind, which his manner had almost 
 b traved: bin his conlidence in her fidelity, on a moment s 
 rrileciion, reiurneil, for he knew she had once loved him. 
 and he believed what the prophet had told him. that M hom 
 si.e loved once she would lo\e iorexcr; and this confidence 
 v. a;-: }:ill\ confirmed b\ ih 1 ease, candor, and cordiality of 
 V. ashinglon s manner of addressing him. The subsequent 
 tr> "T aiifit! vvl iich he h id with thi 5 - eminentlv gifted yonnn
 
 220 THK WILDERNESS. 
 
 man, inspired him with a respect tor his talents and judg 
 ment almost approaching to reverence, and lie resolved to 
 follow his advice in even ihing lie hud suggested to him for 
 the management of his present enterp. 1 
 
 Jusl before Washington set off, lie seized a favorable oc 
 casion for a short private interview with Maria. 
 
 JJLISS Frazier !" said ho, ! must now bid you farev, ; !i 
 tor a. time. Permit me, before I depart, to present you with 
 a small volume of poems, one of whi" i is, with me, next to 
 some of the passages of your admired Thomson, the most 
 favorite piece of poetry in our language. This copy iias lor 
 manv months past been mv constant companion, its author 
 was one who was o-reativ enamored of tiiat sylvan seclusion 
 which you here enjoy in such perfection. He was also one 
 who keenly felt, and sweetly described, tho tendei.-st an>! 
 sweetest of all passions. 1 have marked with a j>eneil tiio^c 
 passages of my favoriie poem, which [ shaii Oi tcn recall 10 
 mind when at a distance from you : a nd oh! may I request 
 that, lor my sake, you will frequently read them. They 
 will depict, to you the feelings which, until I see you ; 
 will strongly agitate this bosom. Farewell ! and may iita- 
 ven protect you from all danger! So saying, he pressed her 
 hand gently, and departed.
 
 I HE \VILDERNEbb. 221 
 
 CHAPTER XXlj 
 
 Tins shadowy desert, unfrequented woods, 
 * better brook tha.n flourishing: peopled towns, 
 Here I can sit alone unseen of any, 
 And to the nightingale s complaining notes 
 Tune mv distresses and record my \voes. 
 Oh ! thou that dost inhabit in my breast, 
 Leave not the mansion tenantless; 
 Lest growing ruiuous, the building fall, 
 And leave no memory of what it was. 
 
 SHAKSPEARE. 
 
 THE hook which Washington left with our heroine was 
 < handsomely bound copy of Shenstone s Poems ; and the 
 passages he had marked for her attention she found in that 
 most tender and simple of all poetical effusions, the Pastoral 
 Ballad. The reader, 1 trust, will have no objection to peruse 
 them. They were as follows : 
 
 - Now I know what it is to have strove 
 
 With tli torture of doubt and desire; 
 What it is to admire and to love, 
 
 And to leave her we love and admire." 
 
 " When forced the fair nymph to forego, 
 
 What anguish 1 felt at my heart ! 
 I thought but it might not !>" so 
 
 Tvvas with pain that she saw me deparl. 
 iShe gazed as I slowly withdrew, 
 
 My path I could scarcely discern ; 
 So sweetly she bade me adieu, 
 
 I thought that she bade me return. 
 
 " The pilgrim that journeys all day, 
 To visit some far distant shrine, 
 If lie bear but a relic away. 
 
 Is happy, nor heard to repine. 
 Thus widely removed from tiio fair, 
 
 Where my vows, my devotion, I owe, 
 Soft hope is the rolie I bear, 
 
 And my solace wherever I go." 
 19
 
 222 tilt; U II.DKK.Nf.-*. 
 
 Mad not Maria been be Core convinced, Crotn the conduct 
 ol her illustrious visitor, thai lie loved her, these stanzas, 
 combined with his manner of bidding her C;ire\veil, would 
 lime left no room to doubt on the subject. The circum 
 stance n-fievrd her. She respected, she esteemed, she al 
 most revered tho-.e talents and virtues which she perceived 
 that he possessed in such an eminent decree ; but love was 
 what she could not afford him. Another object engrossed 
 all her passion and tenderness exclusive] v and unalterably . 
 and to Washington to him, whom she believed to be pos- 
 >essed of every quality that could ennoble man. and whos^ 
 warmest affections, she doubted not. were now devoted to 
 her, she could only spare ardent friendship and heart-felt 
 admiration. Yes she could, and did also, yield him pity; 
 for loving passionately as she herself did, she could easily 
 imagine how miserable she must have been, had she loved 
 in vain. Much, therefore, much did she grieve for one so 
 worthy, whom she knew must be wretched from the same 
 cause. 
 
 "How rejoiced I should be," she would say to herself, 
 "if this excellent, this admirable young man, could place 
 his affections on some one who had affections at her own 
 disposal to give him in return. I know, alas ! how much 
 the happiness of life depends on this; and if ever man de 
 served happiness, it is he. But he is now gone ; and ] 
 trust absence, change of scene, and the bustle of business, 
 may weaken the unfortunate attachment he has here im 
 bibed ; and Providence, I hope, will throw in his way one 
 worthy of him, and botli capable of exciting in his bosom 
 the tenderest feelings of love, and of returning them. Oh, 
 Charles! thou object of my first and only love ! it is my 
 study, it is my duty, it is my delight, to be true to thee. 
 Thou art the chosen of my heart a heart that never, never 
 will choose another." 
 
 Charles having encamped his men at Shanapin s town, 
 and marked out the ground for the fort, returned the nex; 
 day to visit his Maria. 
 
 Sweet, sweet is the intercourse between two young and 
 virtuous lovers, who are aware of possessing, unchangeably 
 and entirelv. each other s affections. But although such
 
 IMF, \V1LDKKNFSS. 22.1 
 
 intercourse be sweet to them, the detail of the conversation 
 by which it is carried on is seldom so to others. It is the 
 presence of the beloved object, the thousand nameless charms 
 \\liich each sees in the other, and which no other can see, 
 much less describe, or even if described, could feel, far more 
 than the sentiments or language which they utter, that con 
 stitute the delight, the ecstacy of their private interviews, 
 and their solitary rambles. 
 
 For this reason I will retrain from relating to the reader 
 the many conversations that now took place between Charles 
 A elderly and his Maria, at their secret and confidential meet 
 ings. There was one. however, which I shall relate, be 
 cause it touched upon a topic, of which the reader may re 
 quire some explanation, namely, the cause of that nuptial 
 ceremony, for which Charles so ardently sighed, not taking 
 place, although, with a secret view to its accomplishment. 
 he had brought with him, as chaplain to the expedition, ; 
 person qualilied for its performance. 
 
 " Whv delay mv happiness, mv love . " said he. " There 
 is now no obstacle to its accomplishment there is no 
 reason for its delay. You talk of my father s sanction. 
 Tonnaleuka has infused the idea into your mind that it is 
 necessary. But Maria, believe me, it is not. \Vhen the 
 \ows are once uttered, you are then my wife, in defiance of 
 human power or opposition !" 
 
 "I know," replied Maria, "that by the institutions of 
 \ our country, your father could not dissolve our marriage, 
 it is not that which i dread ; but 1 dread the displeasure he 
 would manifest, and justly too, at its taking place without 
 his knowledge and consent. No; I will never become the 
 wife, of any man who, by making me such, will displease 
 I is relations." 
 
 Hut I have no reason to suppose that my father would 
 be displeased, at least if he knew you as I do, I am persua 
 ded lie would not, at your becoming his daughter." 
 
 " But, Charles," said she, smiling, "you do not remember 
 tiiat he does not know me. or, if he did, how are you sure 
 that he would estimate me as highly as you have been pleas 
 ed to do ? No be might look upon what you have thought 
 proper to call rny worth, in a very different light; and in
 
 221 iUK \\1LUERNKS3. 
 
 place of being aa acceptable daughter-in-law, it we were to 
 marry under present circumstances, the probability is, that 
 I should be considered by him as an intruder into his fam 
 ily, and treated, and perhaps deservedly so, as such." 
 
 "Believe me, Maria," he returned, "that I know my 
 father well. I am his only son ; and he has ever been the 
 kind consulter of my happiness. AVhen the sacred knot is 
 tied, he will not seek to dissolve it. not so much because he 
 would know the tiling impossible, as because he would 
 know that it would make me miserable, permanently and 
 supremely miserable !" 
 
 " But, suppose even this indulgence." she replied, "or 
 rather, this forgiveness on his part to take place, in conse 
 quence of paternal tenderness, even after you had acted dis 
 respectfully towards him, by marrying without his know 
 ledge. Think of it, Charles would not so much goodness 
 be a hijrh aggravation of your offence, in beinf jjuilty oi 
 such disrespect to so kind a father . No. Charles, 1 cannot 
 bear, I will not consent, that you should act so unworthily, 
 so little like yourself." 
 
 "Ah! too rigid, too austere girl !" he exclaimed ; "you 
 place too much importance upon this matter of my father 
 sanctioning our nuptials. It is but a trilling consideration." 
 
 " How, Charles !" she said, interrupting him ; "oh do not 
 let me hear you call behaving disrespectfully to your father, 
 and such a father as, I doubt not, yours is, a trifling consid 
 eration. Surely your good sense and lilial affection have 
 yielded, in this instance, to your wishes." 
 
 " Oh, Maria ! understand me before you condemn me. 
 I respect. 1 honor my father, as much as ever son did a 
 parent. But surely, in comparison to spending, perhaps, 
 another long year of privation from the bliss of calling you 
 my own, the taking of this step without his knowledge, un 
 der circumstances so difficult to procure it, if it be at all an 
 aberration from duty, is but a trifling one. O consent, my 
 love ! Depend upon my assurance, that you have nothing 
 to fear from the measure." 
 
 "Were 1 to be so weak as to comply with your wishes," 
 said she " it might indeed happen that your father would 
 not be absolutely inexorable. He might not forever cas
 
 THK WII.OKKNKSS. i ift 
 
 vi ii (i IF from his alfections for our fault. But still, Charles, 
 vi 1 would have committed a fault. We would have given 
 a kind and lender parent cause of offence ; which would 
 ever afterwards be, at least to me, and let me say, 1 helievc 
 also to you, a source of uneasiness. He might forgive our 
 error; hut I am convinced that we ourselves never should 
 forget it. O ! let us not commit it, if we want to he truly 
 happy with each other. Let not impatience cause us to do 
 v\ Ton if. Providence may vet remove all ohstacles !o our 
 union. We may yet he happy without being guilty, and 
 then we never will he thoroughly unhappy." 
 
 " Lovely maiden !" exclaimed Charles, struck with ad 
 miration at the purity of her sentiments, although so much 
 in opposition to his wishes: "you are too good, to angelic 
 in your principles, as well as in your charms, for an erring 
 mortal like me. But I will he guided hy \ on. If 1 have 
 not virtue to resist temptation to error, I will learn it of you. 
 ~\ ou will he the monitor of my mind, as you have been the 
 charmer of my eyes you will instruct me, as you have 
 f-^cinaled me you will excite me to virtue, as yon have 
 warmed me to love and, in the end, make me happy in 
 ihe approbation of my own conduct, as I now am in the 
 : Imiratiuu of yours !" 
 
 A day or two alter the foregoing conversation, Charles 
 i tired from the camp at Shanapins to a favorite 1 walk, for 
 meditation, which he had discovered on the hank of the 
 \Ionongahela. It was one of those days of sunshine which 
 sometimes, even in the month of January, chequer the Tin- 
 steady climate around the head of the Ohio, and make a 
 ramble, at that usually inclement season, inviting. The air 
 n-as considerably warm, and although in hollow places that 
 n-ere shaded from the rays of the sun, there were still lodg 
 ments of unmelted ice and snow, yet, the general aspect of 
 ;he country showed that there had been a thaw of several 
 day s continuance, as in all exposed situations the snow had 
 disappeared, and again displayed the surface of the earth, 
 clothed with a variegated garment of undecaying herbage 
 mil withered leaves. The broad, and at this time, full 
 ^tream of the river (lowed majestically past, exhibiting by 
 pflection. the reversed images of (lie high and headlong
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 bunks on either side, hanging pendulous, with all then 
 woods upon them, within its glassy bosom. 
 
 Charles sat down upon a protruding fragment of stone. 
 which formed the basement of a hig-h rock that arose from 
 the margin of the stream. He became soon absorbed in 
 contemplating the charms of his Maria, and comparing the 
 superior happiness he should enjoy in these solitudes, with 
 her for his daily and faithful companion through life, than, 
 without her, in the midst of all the jraycties. grandeur, plea 
 sures, and luxuries, that ingenuity has ever invented for the 
 gratification of social life. In such a situation, when im 
 pressed with such feelings, a romantic mind can hardly re 
 frain from becoming- poetical; and Charles, as we have 
 seen, had already moistened his lips at the Castalian fount. 
 He therefore, on this occasion, drew out his memorandum 
 book and pencil, and noted down the following lines, ad 
 dressed to the Monongahela. 
 
 Fnir stream ! though deep in forest glooms 
 
 Thou roll st thy Indian-haunted tide, 
 Upon thy bank a maiden blooms, 
 
 The gem of nature, virtue s pride ! 
 Let others choose the jovs supplied 
 
 By art, on Thames" or Lifter s shore, 
 (live me upon thy sylvan side, 
 
 With her to live I ask no more. 
 
 Fair stream ! though never poet s lav 
 
 Hath bade the world thy name revere ; 
 Though history s page refrains to say 
 
 What heroes fought and conquer d here 
 Than Tweed s or Tyber s banks moro dear, 
 
 Is thy unchanted shore to me ; 
 And warm d to rapture, more sincere, 
 
 I worship charms possessed by thoe ! 
 
 For in seclusion s peaceful shade, 
 
 Fair nature oft delights to show 
 Some flower or em, or beauteous maid, 
 
 Too lovely for the world to know. 
 Thus woodland roses often blow, 
 
 To bless with sweets the desert wild. 
 And thus, from thee my raptures flow, 
 
 Maria, nature s fairest child !
 
 I UK ^M.DKKNKSS. 2*-J7 
 
 He h. iti scarcelv completed these stanzus, when he heard 
 the sound, of footsteps approaching him, anil soon the form 
 of Tonnaleuka, whom he had not seen since his return to 
 the west, stood before him. 
 
 "Hail to thee, my son!" said the prophet. "I am glad 
 ti> SIM thee yet safe. But thou eomest in an evil hour to 
 visit this land, for thy safety will be endangered. Thy 
 enemies are vigilant and strong, and they will soon become 
 in-live. Still thou art welcome ; and 1 hope that the great 
 Being 1 will protect thee from the perils thou art doomed to 
 encounter." 
 
 41 Father," replied Charles, li since my arrival, I have 
 longed much to see you. The dangers you speak of, I 
 have anticipated from the enemy. But if they arrive not, 
 before we have raised our defences, 1 will not fear them. 
 The season, 1 expect, will till then protect us." 
 
 " Do not deceive yourself," said the prophet; -the sea 
 son will not protect you, neither will your defences; and 
 your numbers are insufficient. But prepare your ramparts 
 with what haste you can. From behind them you may at 
 it-ast treat for safety, if you cannot fi^ht for victory. My 
 * >n. 1 came to warn you, that you may be wary, for your 
 toe is stronger than yon." 
 
 " Father," replied Charles, " you are ever kind to me. 
 You have been my deliverer. You would now be my 
 o uardian. But oh! my soul is sad, my life is weary, and 
 I almost wish to die. You possess the power, if any earth 
 ly being possesses it, to procure me relief from my troubles. 
 May I crave your assistance, for alas! what good will pro 
 tecting rne from destruction do, if my existence is to be 
 miserable ! 
 
 " Father, I love thou knowest it. Thou knowest how 
 ardently, how devotedly ah no, thou canst not know that. 
 No one can know what J feel for the loveliest, the dearest 
 .)f maidens ! 
 
 - Father on re\ -isitin- the Wilderness, 1 rejoiced, for 1 
 thought that she would then become my own. I brought 
 with me one qualiiied, according to our custom, to join us 
 in marriage. But alas ! she, at this time, refuses to unite 
 her fate with mine. \ow. when she might make me hap-
 
 228 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 py, she will not, and misfortune may interfere, alas ! 1 
 much dread it, to prevent us from ever again enjoying such 
 an opportunity. You, you alone, my father, whom she 
 reveres as a messenger of God, can alter her determination. 
 Oh ! let me implore you to interfere. Let me beg thee, as 
 thou vainest my happiness and my regard for life, to show 
 her that she is unnecessarily cruel to show her that she is 
 too austerely scrupulous in respect to matters of but trifling 
 moment, when compared with the privation to which she 
 condemns me." 
 
 " Son," replied the prophet, " I know the desire of your 
 heart. I also know her determination, and I approve of it. 
 You are too impatient, my son, and you are wrong. She 
 is prudent, and I rejoice that she is so. Were she your 
 wife, think you, would she not be exposed during the com 
 ing troubles, for alas ! I see them approaching fast, to perils 
 and calamities, from which, in her private, obscure situation, 
 as the daughter of Gilbert Frazier, she will be exempt?" 
 
 "Think seriously, my son, and if you do so, you will, if 
 your love be for her welfare, and not your own gratifica 
 tion, approve of her resolution, and attempt not to seduce 
 her from it." 
 
 "Father," replied Charles, eagerly, and greatly agitated. 
 " Can you oh, heavens ! how can you torture me, by af 
 fecting to doubt the purity, the disinterestedness of my love 
 for that angel ! Prefer her welfare to my own gratification ! 
 Ah ! if my heart did not tell me that I did so, 1 would tear 
 it from my body, and cast it to the wolves to be devoured, 
 or to the more cruel Chippeways, to be consumed in the 
 flames of their animosity. But, father ! could she not be 
 my wife, and live in security?" 
 
 " No, my son not, at least, with equal ease and propri 
 ety. If she were so connected with you, she would have 
 responsibilities upon her, from which she is now free. 
 Besides, I know her objection is on account of your not 
 possessing the sanction of your father. She knows herself 
 to be penniless, and she is not ignorant of the value which 
 men of the world, like your father, place upon wealth. She 
 has a right, therefore, to anticipate his displeasure both to 
 you, and to herself, if she shoxild encourage you to a clan- 
 destine union.
 
 TIIK WI1.DP.RNK3S. 
 
 .Mv soil, 1 know all this ; and can you ask me to bid 
 hi-r do wronir . Nav. if von solicit her with your rye* 
 o t :.:n to all these thina-. I must accuse vou of preferrinir 
 v ur own la atiiicalion to her welfare.;. 
 
 And, hear me, my son should your solicitations suc 
 ceed, you would soon afterwards, "when the evils I predict 
 should come upon \ou. severely condemn your own rash- 
 
 n SS." 
 
 Oh. fa; her. forbear !" cried Charles ; your words make 
 n v wretched! Tell me what I. must do .-" 
 
 " With respect to .Maria." said the prophet, exert, pa 
 tience ; and with rc?pe<-t ;o your enemies, circumspection. 
 This is mv counsel." 
 
 \Vith respect to the enemy, I shall follow it," replied 
 t harles. "and with p-specl to Alaria, I shall endeavor yes, 
 
 I shall exert patience, although it sliould kill me." 
 
 Th.fii, my son. r(;ccivc mv blessing, and may the great 
 father lead you salely ihrou .! h the perilous times, that avo 
 ( ::: . \vinu ne;;i - ! Farewell! he prudent and he patient." 
 
 So s;iyii)o-. Tonnalenka ascended the banks, and left 
 ( haries fixed to the spot, in a stupor of intense feeling, 
 ( impounded of admiration, disappointment, and <rrief al 
 most approaching to despair. In a short time, however, 
 
 I I is agitation beijan to subside, and making a mvat ell ort to 
 (cover at least the appearance of serenity, he returned to 
 ihe camp, in order to encourage his men to expedition in 
 forwarding the intended fortification. 
 
 KND or voi.i ME i.
 
 1 HK 
 
 WILDERNESS; 
 
 OH, 
 
 B HADDOCK S TIMES 
 
 A TALE OF THE WEST. 
 
 \\nf ai;d Invc linve various cares; 
 Wrsr sheds blood, and love sheds tears, 
 War h:is swords, ;ind love lias darts, 
 *>V;n brent, s l.o.iiis, and love breaks hr:ails. 
 
 M CARROCHER 
 
 TVVO VOLUMES I.\ ONK 
 VOL. II. 
 
 IMTTSlUKl.Ii: 
 
 .1MHN H. KI- \\K|JV, I((.()K 1M lil.IMIl 
 I i in ii \i S i ni.i i . A i i i i. ii t \ \ 
 I HIS.
 
 WILDERNESS 
 
 CHAPTER 1. 
 
 Then might you see on earth the warriors lie. 
 Whose limbs robust could every toil defy; 
 Inur d the weight ol ponderous arms to bear, 
 Inur d on fields the hostile steel to dare, 
 Deep in their tiesh the hidden furies prey. 
 
 THK warning which Tonnaleuka ht d given Charles to be 
 circumspect in regard to the enemy, was not lost upon him. 
 He employed Paddy Fra/ier as a seont to hover round the 
 French station at Le Hn-nf in order to watch their motions 
 and (live him the earliest intelligence of their designs. He 
 also kejtt four or live ol his men constantly employed in 
 ranging on horseback, those qnarteis of the country from 
 which he could be suddenly attacked, while the whole of 
 ill- remainder were busily engaged in disjoin" 1 trenches, and 
 preparing long pointed slakes to fix in the ground to form 
 th- ir stockade fortification. From the friendly Indians he 
 at first received considerable aid in forwarding his works ; 
 but in a few days lie bfrran to perceive their ardor diminish ; 
 an 1 suspecting that they had imbibed some unfriendly feel 
 ing towards him, he thought proper to visit king Shingiss, 
 an 1 expostulate with him on the subject.
 
 1 HI!-: WM.OKK.NKSS. 
 
 His LMawaiv Mfyrsiv slated to him, that he .-till prefer 
 >cd his nation to the French, but. as lie was now imitating 
 iheir conduct l>v building 1 strong-holds in the, country, man} 
 of his peon!" began lat these might some day. be 
 
 used ai_ra;M- L them instead of the common enemy. 
 
 Charles assured him that his .strength never would be em 
 ployed against his friends ; but that such of the tribes a? 
 remained true to him should always experience his grati 
 Hide; and if hi? nation should wax strong in the country, 
 which he doubled not, if would during the next summer, s<; 
 as to overmatch the French, those, who now adhered to him 
 Hi his weakness, would he amply compensated and protn- 
 ted from their enemiec. 
 
 The result of ihis interview wa.s, thai Shingiss promised 
 to remonstrate with his people, and exhort them to befriend 
 and assist ihe Kiv/lish as usual. Tiu-v became in conse 
 quence somewhat more earnest in (he aid thev afforded, and 
 bv their assistance, in about five weeks after Ch-.ir!<^ s :n-j i 
 val, the trench was dug and piles planted around the two mos 
 exposed sides of the intended fort. The other two side- 
 being skirled by the rivers, did not require a trench, and the 
 piles for their circumvailation were getting ready with all 
 possible despatch.. 
 
 Matters were thus situated with our adventurers, when 
 Paddy Frazier arrived in haste one evening with intelligence, 
 that a large body of French, consisting, as he conjectured, 
 of between four and five hundred men. collected from vari 
 ous forts, were proceeding rapidly down the course of \\\>-. 
 Alleghany rivc.r, to attack them. 
 
 This intelligence was indeed alarming, as. their defences 
 were as yet but slight, and the few Indians who were present, 
 were of very doubtful fidelity. Charles, however, deter 
 mined to put a bold face on the matter, and resist his ene 
 mies as long as he could, with little hope indeed of victory, 
 but with the expectation of forcing them, if he musl capitu 
 late, to grant him honorable terms. He despatched a mes 
 senger to Shingiss, requesting the aid of the Delaware war 
 riors. Shingiss attended personally with about thirty men. 
 being all he could muster on the emergency. \Vheu he 
 arrived, he addressed Charles
 
 1HF. \VI1.DKRNKSS. U 
 
 ; \ on suspected me, brother," said lie, "of waul of fidel- 
 uv 10 your interests. Brother, I promised you my assistance 
 m vour need you now shall have it, for I never broke my 
 wo>-d. Von will never teil your great kii)2: of the east, that 
 Sh;,iyis-_; was a deceiver, bocuusr> 1 expect that you will tell 
 ni ii. 
 
 " Brother, 1 have reasoned thus : I will join the English 
 now, because I am pledged to it. The French are more 
 powerfid and will beat us but then we will only be beaten, 
 <s irave men often are we shall not have broken our words 
 i:k - r.luats and cowards. 
 
 Xow brother 1 am ready to obey you." 
 
 \11 Charles s force was now concentrated within the en 
 trenchinents ; and every man was in full expectation of a 
 speedy and severe contict. They kept all night on the \de.ri, 
 one half only retiring to rest at the, time. During the night, 
 however they were left undisturbed ; hut the morning scarce- 
 y dawned when they perceived the woods at, the, distance of 
 iiti e more than five hundred yards, glittering with the arms 
 und uniforms of the French soldiers. 
 
 n a short time a man approached with a white flag, who 
 admitted into the entrenchments. He ^aid he was sent 
 to demand from Mr. Adderly an absolute surrender of him 
 self, -and ail the men and stores under his command to Mon- 
 si<-tir St. Pierre, the officer commanding the troops of his 
 most Christian Majesty nt l,e Boeuf, in return for which 
 hi- own life, and the lives of all his followers, should he pro- 
 te ted from the power of the Indians, although they musi 
 submit to be sent to Canada, perhaps to France, as prisoner* 
 of war. 
 
 Charles at once rejected these terms. "If we were abso 
 lutely beaten, thought he, they could not ask for a submis 
 sion more disgraceful. In the name of God and our country, 
 wo will try them. If we beat them off, it is well. If mil, 
 i! is only to submit when we can do no belter. " 
 
 His refusal was scarcelv communicated to the French 
 commander, when the trumpets sounded, and the attack 
 commenced by a heavy lire of musketry opening upon the 
 Fnglish.from which their defence* were .so incomplete as to 
 i TV>nl fbpin n v*. j rv imp* 1 ( ( -behei. Thov fniififhl however
 
 O THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 with great bravery, returning the lire of their enemies with 
 such promptitude and steadiness, that they dared not advance 
 to storm the works, as was their first intention. 
 
 Neither party had any cannon, as the French understand 
 ing that the English had none, did not choose to spend time 
 in transporting any over such a difficult country as lay be 
 tween Le lio?uf and Shanapins, lest the British might become 
 too well fortified before they attacked them. The whole of 
 this forenoon was, therefore, spent in the interchange of a 
 severe and unintermilting fire of musketry, very destructive 
 10 both si do*. The French, it is true, saved themselves as 
 much as they could behind trees, which afforded them almost 
 as secure a shelter as the unfinished stockade did the English. 
 Their numbers, however, and the necessity th.ey weie under 
 of making frequent movements, rendered them more ex 
 posed than the English. They had, therefore, considerably 
 the worst of it during this period of attack. 
 
 Monsieur St. Pierre, therefore, about one o clock in the af 
 ternoon, resolved to change the mode of combat. lie ac 
 cordingly drew off his men from the reach of the English fire, 
 and dividing them into two parties, ordered Captain Joncaire 
 to proceed with one of them, out of view of the enemy, to 
 wards the Monongahela, and under cover of its high bank, 
 which varied in height from twenty to thirty feet above the 
 common surface of the river, to proceed down, by the water s 
 edge, to the point at the junction of ihe two rivers where the 
 English station was yet unprotected. He took himself the 
 charge of the other division which he conducted, in a similar 
 manner, under shelter of the Alleghany bank. It was cal 
 culated that both divisions would reach, nearly at one time, 
 the defenceless quarter of the English position. If not, how 
 ever, as either party considerably out-numbered the force to 
 be attacked, the one which arrived first, was to lose no time 
 in waiting for the other, since it could not be far off with its 
 assistance. 
 
 St. Pierre s own Division came first to the atttack, but on 
 scaling the bank which was considerably steep, nearly thirty 
 of his men were killed by a well directed fire from the Eng 
 lish, and the rest shrunk back under cover of the bank. 
 Another minute, however, brought forward .Toncaire s divi-
 
 THE WILDERNESS, 7 
 
 sion, who made good their destination, not, indeed, without 
 some loss, which, however, they severely repaid by a dread- 
 ful volley upon Charlo s men, who were now without shel 
 ter. That instant St. Pierre s men also leaped upon the 
 contested ground ; and. Charles, seeing that further resistance 
 would only bring useless destruction upon his followers, sub 
 mitted to necessity and surrendered himself and his party 
 prisoners of war. 
 
 In tin s second disastrous conflict, which Charles had con 
 ducted against the enemies of his country, he lost nearly half 
 his men. Five or six others were wounded, and he himself 
 had one of his thighs slightly injured by a musket hall. Of 
 his Indian auxiliaries, ten or twelve, among whom he perti- 
 milarly regretted UingSingiss, were killed. The French had 
 between forty and fifty slain, and nearly as many wounded; 
 but their victory was decisive, and the object of their expe 
 dition completely attained. 
 
 The French commander now resolved to keep possession 
 of the ground he had taken, both as furthering the views of his 
 government in extending their line of forts from Quebec, to 
 New Orleans, and as being the most eligible position from 
 which he could not only overawe the Indians, but check any 
 future attempts that the Ohio Company, or even the British 
 nation, might make upon this country. 
 
 lie immediately set his men to work, assisted by a great 
 number of Indians, to finish the fort which the English had 
 begun. During the ensuing spring, this post assumed a very 
 formidable aspect, under the name of Fort l)u Quesne, over 
 awing any of the Indian tribes that might still harbor a se 
 cret partiality for the English, and for several years setting 
 even the whole power of the British in America, at defiance. 
 
 St. Pierree, at once perceived the advantage of ingratiating 
 himself with the neighboring tribes, and drawing them off 
 from the English interest. He therefore set all the Dela- 
 wares, whom he had made prisoners in the hte battle, at li 
 berty, and king Shingiss being now dead, he had no difficulty 
 in forming an alliance with hi.s successor. 
 
 Not having accommodations for the English prisoners at 
 Uu Quesne, he in a few days after the battle, sent the greater 
 number of them under n strong escort, to Le Rtruf. But
 
 WII.DERNK3S. 
 
 But Charles was detained until his wound should be so far 
 healed as to permit him to travel without inconvenience. He 
 was kindly enough treated by the French commander, who 
 permitted him to retain all his private ba, i<rage, and afforded 
 him every accommoclf lion for his personal comfort, that the 
 circumstances of the place could afford. 
 
 Charles bore his misfortunes stoutly, for his conscience 
 told him that he had done all that man could do to avoid them. 
 His employers had not furnished him with sufficient force to 
 effect their designs, and hence they failed, and failed too, 
 without any great disappointment to his anticipations. But 
 he did not blame the company. The} had given him all the 
 force they could muster for such an enterprise, and his own 
 anxiety to have business once more in the vicinity of his 
 Maria, together with an iil-jndged notion that the inclemency 
 of the season might protect him until he should be fortified, 
 and receive additional succours from the eastward, had induced 
 him to accept its command. 
 
 The state of Maria s mind, on hearing of his defeat, he 
 had found means to ascertain from Tonnaleuka, who visited 
 him a day or two after the battle. 
 
 The prophet informed him, ; that on first hearing that the 
 French were about to attack him, with an overwhelming force, 
 she, and indeed the whole of the Frazier family, manifested 
 great agitation and alarm for his safety ; but as soon as it was 
 understood that he had escaped with life, she became re 
 signed and thankful ; for she knew that to he a prisoner ot 
 war in the hand of Europeans, although it might be a disa 
 greeable and troublesome, yet it was not a dangerous, nor 
 could it be a permanent matter. She therefore consoled 
 herself with the hope that all might yet be well. 
 
 The French commander knew nothing about Charle s in 
 timacy with the Frazier family, nor even of their partiality 
 for the English interest. He knew them indeed to be Bri 
 tish subjects, for he had often heard of them; but he had 
 also heard of their long residence in the Wilderness, and o: 
 their peaceable demeanor ; and he conceived that irom lont 
 association with the Indians, they must have thrown off much 
 of their European manners and partiality- It did not appeal 
 that they had, in anv manner, assisted the English in thr
 
 IHE WILDERNESS. 9 
 
 late attempts to gain a footing in the country farther than bv 
 entertaining some of their sojourners, and trading with them, 
 wiiir.li they were in the habit of doing with individuals of 
 e\ -ry nation who visited them. As to Paddy s agency in 
 behalf of Charles cause, it was conducted by that wily 
 woodsman, with so much adroitness and secresy, that no one 
 in the French interest suspected him. lie was, therefore, 
 without hindrance, permitted to trade at their forts, with 
 which he continued to maintain as free and uncontrolled an 
 intercourse as before these transactions. 
 
 \s in Tonnaleuka, although the French commandant had 
 ton much of the philosophical scepticism of his countrymen 
 in his disposition, to place much confidence in his propheti 
 cal pretensions, yet he respected him as a man of extraor 
 dinary talents and information, and courted his friendship 
 and good will with considerable assiduity, on account of the 
 great influence that he knew him to possess over the native 
 tribes. The prophet was therefore under no restraint in his 
 intercourse with Hie different forts ; and consequently, very 
 fe\v matters of importance were agitated, either there, or in 
 any of the Indian councils, with which he was not acquainted. 
 
 fn a few weeks, Charles Adderly being quite recovered of 
 hi.-; wound, Monsieur St. Pierre thought proper to send him 
 under a guard of six soldiers, to his fellow prisoners at I.e 
 Bieuf. This was a movement very much against Charles 
 inclination. He wished to remain as near as possible to the 
 residence of Maria; and lie had during his confinement con 
 soled himself with the hope of obtaining permission, on his 
 parole, to occasionally visit Fra/ier s family, lie had, how 
 ever, to submit to the will of his conqueror ; and he departed 
 fr<>m Duquesue in company with his guard, with a heavy 
 and reluctant heart, about the beginning of February, 1754. 
 
 The weather was cold and dry, with about two feet depth 
 oi snow on the ground ; but the party were hardy and lively 
 and tolerably well equipped for the journey. They preceded 
 o,, merrily <nul carelessly, for nearly two days, without meet 
 ing wilhany accident: but on the evening of the second, 
 when they reached tin; bank of Bear ( reek, between thirty 
 and forty miles from Uu Quesne, their progress was unex 
 pectedly arrested by a volley of musketry tired by men in
 
 10 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 ambush, which killed four of the men guard upon the spot. 
 The assailants immediately leaped from their concealment, 
 with loud cheers ; and to Charles infinite surprise and de 
 light, he beheld his friends Paddy and Archy Frazier, Peter 
 M Fall and Dr. Killbreath. Paddy, the Doctor and Archy. 
 threw away their rifles, and seizing each a loaded musket 
 from the fallen Frenchmen, gave instant chace to the two 
 survivers, who, the moment their companions fell, had taken 
 to flight, without thinking of Charles, or waiting to see whe 
 ther they were attacked by Indians or white men. But Pe 
 ter ran directly to loosen the cords that bound his master s 
 wrists ; Charles, however, ordered him first to call his com 
 panions back from the pursuit, saying, "there lias already 
 been slaughter enough here. It will now do no harm to al 
 low these two poor fellows to escape." 
 
 " Arrah ? Master, now my honey, never mind," said Pe 
 ter. " Who knows but they might come and fire a backshol 
 at us, before we could get home; and then the devil take us, 
 if the chance wouldn t be that some of us would nt get home 
 at all, at all. By the Piper, Doran ! who broke the hang 
 man s neck at the foot of the gallows, master, but our boys 
 must send lead into their wheezans." 
 
 By this time, however, Charles was loose, and he hastened 
 himself after the pursuers, whom he was able easily to trace, 
 by their tracks in the snow. Me had not run far, until 
 he heard two or three shots fired, and again loud cheers rang 
 in the air. He soon arrived at the spot, and found to his 
 unspeakable chagrin, that the objects of his solicitude had 
 received their death wounds. 
 
 "My friends I heartily thank you for the service you have 
 rendered me," said he. " But would it not have been as well 
 to have spared these poor men ! Was not your object fully 
 enough accomplished before their detruction ? 
 
 " No, sir," replied Paddy. " When I manage a thing, it 
 shall never be half done, or else the devil is in it. Our ob 
 ject was, no doubt, to rescue at all risks, but it was also, to 
 do it without any risk, if we could. And do you think thai 
 there would be no risk in permitting these men to escape 
 If we did not pursue them to death, they might have pur 
 sued us, bv our tracks in the snow, to discoverv ; which
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 11 
 
 t:iiiiiit one clay have terminated in the destruction of at least 
 some of us ; perhaps of your humble servant, my precious 
 self, who knows ! for it s a.s certain as that snow lies there, 
 that they would have discovered and toldtheir names to our 
 good friends, their complaisant countrymen. Nay, they 
 misfit have taken * more speedy revenge, by sending, from 
 M>me convenient place, a couple of balls after us, one of 
 which miirht have lodged in my own groin, where, Mr. Ad- 
 dcrlv, I assure you I would have conceived it no agreeable 
 guest. In short, sir, by shooting them, I breathe easier, and 
 am likely to breathe longer." 
 
 There may may be some truth in your observations," 
 returned Charles; "and as the deed is now done, it will do 
 DO iMjod to argue its propriety. Let me again assure you of 
 iy o-ratitude for your exertions in my behalf. 1 only wish 
 ; iat the affair could have been managed with less bloodshed 
 tuit that may have been impossible." 
 
 " Arrah, master !" cried Petei AlcFall, "it has been done 
 >nu<rly. I knew Paddy was the boy eould manage it. Och ! 
 long life to his mother that put such an eye in his head when 
 she bore him. By the great Brian ! master, if he couldn t- 
 at half a mile s distance shoot your nose ofi" without touching 
 vour face !" 
 
 "Arrah! master, now be asy," said Peter, winking si<rni- 
 iicantly ; " c;m t you keep a bit of a secret; sure I told you 
 before that there are more ways of getting out of Le Bo uf 
 than by the door," 
 
 " What ! then I suppose you escaped through the kennel 
 again !" said Charles. 
 
 " .No, your honor. By the sovvl, the devil could nt now 
 escape that way," replied Peter; " it is now a wooden pipe, 
 that you could scarcely put your fist in. But I scaled the 
 walls, may it please your honor, like a lark, and swung down 
 the tother side like a swallow, and so bade them adieu, to 
 their own meal and potatoes ; though the devil a morsel of 
 oatmeal or a good Irish potato did Peter ever see among them, 
 my honey !" 
 
 In short, by dint of patience and interrogatories, Charles 
 ascertained that Peter, finding from alteration in thestiucture 
 of the drain which had been before so propitious to him, that
 
 1IIK \\ II.OKUNKSS. 
 
 ho could do HO good by its means, resolved lo consider sorin 
 other. He lor several days prosecuted his investigations, 
 and exercised his ingenuity to no purpose. But lie w;^ 
 resolved not to be bullied in his designs. Escape he must, 
 he had repeatedly sworn to himself, if he should some night 
 blow out the sentinel s brains in order to effect it. Thi.- 
 would be a rather dangerous scheme, he thought, and there 
 fore after long balancing on the subject, he preferred one 
 which only presented him with the trilling hazard of breaking 
 his neck. 
 
 He had taken notice of a long line of jnck-cord, which 
 reached from the top of one of the piles to the stoccade t<. 
 an iron staple fixed in the gable of one of the store-houses. 
 This line had been placed there for the purpose r,f nirin;j and 
 drying the clothes of the garrison. This cord parti v from 
 its smallness, and partly from long exposure to the weather. 
 had become rather weak to bear the weight of Mich a man 
 as Peler ; but he instantly conceived that if it were doubled, 
 it might answer, the use he intended. In order to ascertain 
 this, he took an opportunity, when he was unobserved, of 
 relieving 1 its end from the staple, and having doubled it, he 
 found it alter repeatedly trying his weight upon it, quite suf 
 ficient for his purpose. He again secured it in the staple, 
 until night should give him an opportunity of commencing 
 his operations ; and in the interval searched for and found 
 a large iron hook, to tlu 1 one end of which, when the hour 
 was favorable for his design, he attached -the cord, and by 
 repeatedly throwing it up to the top of the stoccade, he at 
 last dexterously fixed it upon the pile around which the 
 other end of the cord was bound. He now, by a great f f- 
 fort of strength, slung over the piles a small bag of provi 
 sions, and then, with the agility of a cat. ascended to the 
 top of the stoccade, from which he at first intended to let 
 himself drop down. But the height was too fearful. He, 
 therefore, drew over his cord, and fixing the hook more 
 firmly than when he ascended, he committed his safety to it, 
 and in a few moments reached the ground on the outside, 
 without injury. Then shouldering his bag of provisions, 
 he whistled adieu to Le Bo?uf, and in about a week found 
 himself seated bv Gilbert Frazier s fireside. Hence it was
 
 r UK \\ M.itr.RM- .s.*. I 3 
 
 that Padd\ . who projected and conducted the scheme of 
 Charles s rescue, obtained him as a hold and zealous aux 
 iliary. 
 
 (HAI TER II. 
 
 Oh, Anna ! tlnnk st than Hint; or spac^ 
 
 <~an ever change a love like mine ; 
 
 f. ;m from my mem ry e er eflace 
 
 harms there impress d so deep s thine ; 
 
 No ; 1 may suffer and repine, 
 
 While round niv head lile s tempests roll ; 
 
 To death itself I inav resign, 
 
 But thou slin.lt triumph in my soul ! 
 
 SAVELABOUK. 
 
 A SHORT time brought Charles to the residence of his be 
 loved. Oh! how comfortable, how happy he now felt, as he 
 sat b} her side and ifa/ed upon her charms. Here he he- 
 held himself so suddenly, so unexpectedly, freed from the 
 midst of his misfortunes, and placed in that very spot, where 
 of all the world he most wished to be. and in the presence 
 of her whose society alone could yield him true happiness, 
 that the whole almost appeared to him os if it had been the 
 effect of magic. What luxury on earth was equal to this! 
 what could he wish for more! The bliss of "pleasure af 
 ter pain" he now enjoyed for a few days almost to intoxi 
 cation ; for in the romance of his feelings, in the intensity 
 of his joy, his gratitude and his love, he buried every recol 
 lection of past pain, except such as served to make present, 
 enjoyment sweeter; and as to any anticipations of future 
 evil, they could no more riin his attention than a true-bred 
 \ ankee could foro-et charging for valur delivered. 
 
 But Maria did not. feel so perfectly at ease. Rejoiced as 
 shr was 8t his rscapr from his enemies, she greatly feared
 
 14 I iib WILDERNESS. 
 
 Ins falling again into their hands, for she know that under 
 present circumstances he could not in the Wilderness enjoy 
 that perfect safety she wished for him. His enemies she 
 believed would soon hear or suspect something of his res 
 cue, and would no doubt use all their powerful endeavors 
 to discover the place of his concealment. She endeavor 
 ed to impress these truths upon her lover s mind, but he, for 
 the first two or three days, would give toleration to no feel 
 ing that possessed the remotest appearance of being a draw 
 back upon his present enjoyment. 
 
 At length his enthusiasm of delight bewail somewhat to 
 subside; or, to speak more correctly, to become reasonable; 
 and she succeeded in convincing him that his only security 
 against being retaken by his enemies, would be close con 
 cealment, or else flight from the Wilderness. The latter 
 expedient she acknowledged was, at this season of the year 
 rather difficult and dangerous. The weather was inclement 
 and he might perish in a storm; or, as the mountains wen 
 covered with snow, an attempt to cross them might lead to 
 his discovery, by exposing the tracks of his footsteps to tin; 
 enemy. 
 
 Removal from the vicinity of his Maria was indeed, at 
 this time a disagreeable step, which Charles was happy to 
 have some reasonable excuse for avoiding. 
 
 " My love," said he, " banish me from your presence, and 
 I will adopt any other means of security I will conceal 
 myself in any other manner you may prescribe." 
 
 " You are aware," said she, " that as soon as the French 
 suspect your escape, they will search for you here. They 
 will naturally suppose that, if you be at all in the Wilder 
 ness, your countrymen will know something of you. 1 
 wish you to disguise deeply, remove to some distance from 
 us, and visit us but seldom, at least until the heat of the pur 
 suit after you shall abate. Tonnaleuka shall furnish \ ou 
 with a retreat, for he knows all the fastnesses and lurking 
 places of the forest. Our family will take care to supply 
 you with every thing they can render your asylum comfort 
 able." 
 
 " Oh, Maria ! this is almost banishment," he replied ; "it 
 will drive me to some solitary shade where I will be depri 
 ved of your presence.
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 15 
 
 " But it is necessary in your present circumstances,* said 
 ohe, "to submit to this inconvenience, tmle-s you wish again 
 to be captured ; and the sooner you submit, my Charles, I 
 will feel the sooner at ease in regard to your safety." 
 
 "O Maria! speak ever thus to me, and I will do any 
 thing you wish. But, bethink you, my sweetest maiden, 
 there is not, there cannot be. much danger of my being here 
 searched for so very soon as you apprehend. There is not 
 one of my escort now living to tell the story of mv rescue. 
 It will be many days before any suspicion of it takes place 
 at Le Boeuf. ami many more before that suspicion is com - 
 munieatr- d to Du Quesne. Even then, the enemy will not 
 be certain whether the whole party may not have perished, 
 either by intense cold, or by some marauding band of trea 
 cherous Indians. In short, my too timid love, I do not be 
 lieve that (lie pursuit after me will be either very eager, or 
 of long continuance." 
 
 "It mav turn out as you say," replied Maria; "but it 
 mav also turn out otherwise. This is the danger; and to 
 guard against misfortune upon which we can calculate, how 
 ever remo .e may be its appearance, is surely wise and pru 
 dent. (3 Charles ! be prudent, for both our sakes. ! re 
 lieve my mind, and without delay betake yourself to dis 
 guise ami concealment." 
 
 I shall do as you wish," said he. " For your sake I 
 will dive in .o the thickest of the woods, into the depths of 
 c iveni>, lor concealment. O ily let your mind be at ease, 
 I will vanish from danger, although in doing so, I shall be 
 banished from you. I will attend Tonnaleuka wherever he 
 cho es to lend me. 
 
 Xow I HIM satisfied, Charles," said she; "all will be 
 well. Under the prophet s care y< u will he safe. He will 
 hi.- h"re this night and wil direct your proceedings." 
 
 That evening Tonnaleuka, as Maria had foretold, visited 
 them 
 
 " Mv son," said he to Charles, "you are once more nut 
 of the p ivvcrof your ene.nies, and it only now requires pru 
 dence to keep you so. My -on, I "rejoice that this ma < ten 
 lias prevailed on you to follow my directions. If you be 
 ready, follow me but first bid that maiden farewell, for you 
 * ill not see her for many weeks." 20
 
 "Oh, iaiber!" lie cried, "what do you require of nu ! 
 Why separate us so lonir / What necessity is there " 
 
 "AIv you, said Tonnaieuka, "1 have promised to her, 
 that if you obey my directions. 1 will be responsible for 
 your safety; and I will not endanger my word by exposing 
 it to risk. Your obedience will be voluntary; but if, by 
 following your inclinations, you bring evil upon yourself, 
 then 1 shall be blameless. Mow, my son, choose whether 
 you shall be governed by me, or by your own imprudent 
 wishes." 
 
 Charles looked at Muria with an expression which asked, 
 "Shall I go?" 
 
 "Mr. Addeiiy," said she, "this hesitation is unbecoming, 
 it is weak. Haste, attend the prophet, if you regard my 
 peace of mind, or your own absolute security. Alas ! 
 Charles, since you will have me to express myself so, I 
 j eel every hour an a*re, tiil I know that you are beyond the 
 reach of your enemies." 
 
 " I go, dearest of maidens, and I promise to obey the pro- 
 phot. But oh! let me ask one request. If there be danger 
 in my coining to ihee, surely there can be, none in thy visit 
 ing me. Will the distance be loo far to allow me sometimes 
 to see thee in my concealment T 
 
 " It may happen that 1 will visit you," she replied. 
 "But if I should not, you may assure yourself that it will 
 only be lest my going might excite suspicion of your re 
 treat. Farewell then! be patient, and submit to temporary 
 inconveniences. The prophet is your friend, and oh ! may 
 Cod be so too !" 
 
 " Farewell ! ? he said ; and he pressed her hand to his 
 burning lips, and followed Tonnaleuka out of the apart 
 ment. 
 
 It was a beautiful moonlight frost} night. Ten thousand 
 fiery stars sparkled in the heavens, and the pure cold snow 
 glittered on the earth. The queen of night coursed, in all 
 bcr splendor, steadily and majestically along the smooth 
 blue star-studded arch that overcanopied the sober and che 
 quered horizon of mountains and vales, clothed in a parti 
 colored covering of dark trees, and silvery shining snow 
 that lav extended beneath. The river? and rivulets were
 
 1HE \\1JJ.IKKNKSS. 1 If 
 
 all fro /en as hard as iron, and the movements of every ter- 
 H ^trial object seemed to he arrested, except lite shadows of 
 
 es, and rock", and mousrtains, which lliited around as 
 Charles and his conductor wen! forward, as if to yield them 
 wav. or pav them respect as hey passed hy. 
 
 Toniialeuka led the way. and Charles followed in medi 
 tative silence. They kepi nearly northward, alonir the right 
 hank of Turtle Creek. The stream soon hecame enclosed 
 hi-lwcen hiii h. moun!a.i::s, and thev crossed on the ice to its 
 left hank. :iion^ which tlie\ proceeded about hall a mile : 
 when sudd- idv lakin^ a path that led in an easterly direc 
 tion up a hitrh hill. On if,nnin;j- its top. they kept alon^the 
 rid<>r which it 1 ormed. still in an easterly course, for half a 
 mile lurther. They then struck suddenly to the left, and 
 de^cend -d into a deep valley, at. the bottom gf which they 
 crossed a small run. near a place where it was almost over 
 arched bv a h utre rock, which formed the rujjged juuvint; 
 face of the opposing ridire. They passed up the bank of 
 this stream underneath the fearful arch, 1o which the solemn 
 ra\ s of the moon now imparted an aspect impressively 
 awful, for about two hundred yards, to a place where the 
 eontinuilv of the rock became interrupted by a deep ra\ine. 
 into which thev turned. For a few moments they ascended 
 a small path, until about half way up the left side of this 
 ravine, when tiiey came to a larire rock, which seemed to 
 obstruct their further progress. 
 
 Here the prophet spoke to Charles for the first lime 
 -since they had left, Fra/ier s. 
 
 iSOw, my son/ said he, you will see my favorite re 
 treat when 1 wish for concealment. There an- only two 
 individuals, besides myself, who know ii, and in these 1 can 
 repose implicit reliance. You will be the third : conse 
 quently the confidence 1 ha\e in you cannot be small: and 
 the security you will here eujov from either French or In 
 dians, will be as jrreat as even your Maria could desire. 
 \\ ithin is die lodging 1 am about to alford you, till you 
 can leave the \\ ilderness in safety. its entrance, except 
 by those who already know it, can only be found bv a 
 miracle." 
 
 So saving, Tomnleuka caujjht hold of a branch of a small
 
 18 TH WILDERNESS. 
 
 pine tree, that -reined u he growing in the an<rle formed by 
 the rock and tlr 1 side ot" tlie acclivity, and pulling it down 
 ward, he separated the upper Side of the root some distance 
 from the earth, lie let iro his hold, and the tree remained 
 in this posture. 
 
 Follow me!" said Tonnaleuka, as he ascended to the 
 gap, which this separation of thp tree from the earth had 
 occasioned, into which he lowered himself by a tliffht often 
 or twelve rniwed stone steps, until he. came to a kind of 
 landing place, or lohliv. hayintr a smooth earthen bottom. 
 
 "Remain "here a few minutes, until I strike a liyh?, said 
 Tonnaleuka. and he proceeded into a. dark passage, in what 
 direction Charles could not tell, but of considerable length, 
 he conjectured, from the distance at which he soon heard 
 the sound of Uis retiring- footsteps, while he himself remain 
 ed awkwardly enough, watching the, oblique rays of the 
 moon, that with jrreat effort cast down a very feeble liirht 
 to where he stood. In a short time, however, he perceived 
 the sjlanrinij of li>rht at a distance in the subterranean pas 
 sage, and Tonnaleuka soon returned with a flaming taper. 
 
 My son," said he. when he approached. draw the 
 rope which winds through that pulley." 
 
 Charles did so, and the root of the tree instantly returriin<r 
 to its place, closed up the aperture by which they had en 
 tered, and the ravs of the moon were no longer visible. 
 
 The prophet now led the wav through a lonsr, narrow, 
 and rather damp passage, which at length brought them 
 into a larsje, drv. and airv chamber, with a comfortable floor 
 somewhat more elevated than the passage. In an angle of 
 this apartment, to the left of its entrance, the embers of a 
 wood tire not quite extinguished were seen, on a convenient 
 hearth, which possessed a species of funnel that carried 
 away the smoke bv an outlet, which Charles afterwards 
 discovered to be into another ravine, on the opposite side 
 of the ridge from that on which they had entered. 
 
 The furniture was simple and scanty, comprising no ar 
 ticles but such as were of prime necessity for the comfort oi 
 one, or at most two individuals. There was indeed a bed 
 and bedding, not much inferior to some of those possesssd 
 by Gilbert Frazier. A plain table, two or three chairs, a
 
 THK WTLDERNKSS. 19 
 
 small stool, a large chest, a cupboard, two or three shelves, 
 with scarcely any cooking utensils, constituted the remain 
 der o! what Charles Adderlv now observed in this subter 
 ranean hermitage. 
 
 Sit down, my son, said Tonnaleiika ; "you are now 
 in my abode. 1 must warm it. The cheering ilame shall 
 blaze forth in a few minutes." 
 
 lie withdrew into the passage, but soon returned with 
 several billets of wood on his arm, which, to the great com 
 fort and exhilaration of Charles, who had begun to feel 
 rather discontented, chilly, and vaporish will) his situation, 
 soon began to crackle from 1 the impulse of the glowing ele 
 ment, and to enliven the chamber with its animating rays. 
 
 M\ son, you perhaps need refreshment," said the pro 
 phet. " 1 shall supply you for within this cavern there is 
 enouirh for all present wants." 
 
 " Father, I require none," said Charles, "but I acknow 
 ledge that 1 need repose, for my mind is overpowered with 
 sadness." 
 
 "And what grieve you for?" asked the prophet. "Is it 
 because you are, not now a prisoner in Le Boeuf or Du 
 IJuesne . Or is it, because you are not now in Gilbert 
 Frazier s. exposed to the risk of being again captured and 
 exposed to the vengeance of your enemies ? Are you sad, 
 my son. because \ on are safe. If so. you are he-re without 
 restraint, and may rush again into danger, if it will yive you 
 pleasure. 
 
 But, my son. you have promised to be ruled by me, 
 and it is the wish of her whom you love that you should 
 be so. Will you vex her by your imprudence, by your 
 breach of word I Know you not, that your enemies are 
 powerful and numerous in the country; and if you should 
 ! ii! again into their bands, think you tint they would treat 
 you with indulgence ? No, my son be wise, render your 
 self content here tor a few weeks. You will want, for no 
 thing necessary to human lite. Food, drink, a bed to lie 
 on, and books to read, you shall have as liberally as the 
 \\ ilderuess can alford. Bu for your own sake, and for the 
 sake of one still more beloved, I request you to reconcile 
 yourself to a temporary privation of her society, and of the 
 external world.
 
 20 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 u My son, I offer you food I wish you to partake of it; 
 but if you prefer retiring to rest, go, and may the blessing 
 of l)i" Great Father accompany you !" 
 
 Charles preferred retiring, and requested the prophet to 
 excuse his apparent dissatisfaction with his residence, as lie 
 in reality felt both mind and body overcast and indisposed. 
 To-morrow, he hoped, he should recover the serenity of his 
 mind, and be able to express, with cheerfulness and cordi 
 ality, the obligations he owed him as his kind deliverer. 
 
 " Talk not of obligations, my son," said the prophet. 
 " My duties are my obligations, and for performing them, ] 
 require no thanks. Ah ! my son, how miserable I should 
 have long felt a life, whose- misfortunes have been severer 
 than any you have yet experienced, had it not been, that 
 amonjr my red brethren I have often found the means of 
 doino- (rood ! But your mind is oppressed ; repose, I hope, 
 will relieve yon. I will show you where to seek it." 
 
 He took up the light, and conducting Charles a lew yards 
 into the passage through which they had before; passed, 
 turned to the ri<rht into a small recess, much more comfort 
 able and clean in its appearance than the lar<re apartment. 
 Here he beheld a bed prepared for his reception, with a 
 small table and a chair, both exhibiting very rude workman 
 ship, but suitable enough for the place, and the purposes 
 intended by them. 
 
 [ he prophet having pronounced a short benediction upon 
 his o-uest, retired, and Charles was about throwing himself 
 into bed, when he perceived, beneath the bedclothes, a letter 
 ad tressed to himself. He opened it. and seeing that it was 
 from Maria, with feelings of intense emotion, he read a-. 
 follows : 
 
 " Dear Charles, 
 
 " My persuading you to submit, at this time, to a resi 
 dence in a dark subterraneous cell, is a proof how anxious 
 I am for your safety. You will, no doubt, feel your situa 
 tion lonely and disagreeable ; but I hope the necessity for 
 it will not be of long continuance ; and, in the meanwhile, 
 in order to relieve its lediousness as much as possible, I 
 shall send you a supply of such books as I possess, best
 
 11IK WILDERXF-SS 2\ 
 
 uuted lor your entertainment. You may be assured, that 
 our family will let you want for nothing in their power to 
 itl ord you comfort. 
 
 "Oh, Charles! how little are the men and women of so 
 ciety aware of the dangers and calamities that often visit the 
 most remote and secluded condition ! How have their phi 
 losophers and their poets praised, in strains of enthusiasm 
 and rapture, the virtue, the tranquillity, and the happiness, 
 to he found in retirement ! Ah ! they appear to forget that 
 human passions, and therefore human crimes and miseries, 
 arc ever, in such places, more violent and fierce, because 
 more unrestrained and unmodified by the salutary customs 
 and institutions of society ! 
 
 " But, Charles, the object of my writing to yon, is to 
 encourage you to an exertion of patience in your present 
 solitude, and not to magnify the evils to which it is ex 
 posed, by making contrasts, for which my inexperience 
 renders me incompetent. 
 
 " But these times of calamity, 1 trust, will not always 
 last. Providence will yet. moderate the storm, and grant 
 this Wilderness a restoration of that calm which it once 
 enjoyed. TiH then, let us shelter ourselves as much as 
 possible from the fury of the times, ami be content with 
 privations, if we can only thereby secure safety. I am 
 aware that this advice will not be relished by your adven 
 turous spirit ; but it is because i dread that spirit, fearless 
 and rash as 1 know it to be, leading you into fresh dangers, 
 that I am so solicitous for your present confinement. If it 
 will in any degree enable you to support that confinement, 
 1 have here no hesitation to repeat the assurance, which 
 you already have, of the unalterable nature of my affection 
 for you. 
 
 Let me be assured, in return, that you will bear your 
 present lot without repining, and you will contribute much 
 to my (vise of mind ; and, that heaven may protect you, 
 and hasten over these times of danger and distress, is the 
 
 fervent nraver oi vour ,. 
 
 MAUIA. 
 
 " Yes !" thought Charles, when he had finished this letter, 
 " I am happv. Ah what can make me otherwise, when T
 
 22 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 possess the affections, the sweet, the pure, the tender, the 
 faithful affections of si ch a hnely being! Oh, heaven! it 
 would indeed be criminal to repine at thy dispensations, 
 when thou bast ji ran ted me this! This is ample remune 
 ration for all suileriiio:- tbi< is balm for e-. cry wound. O, 
 thou gi od Providence, ;hai hast thus granted me the first, 
 wish <f my bean, make me trnl\ gratelul lor such a conso 
 lation, such a blessing, amidst my m h fortunes ! "Yes, I 
 \\ i 1 assure the dear ma den that 1 will not repine 1 will 
 asH r her ihat 1 am happy, and ihat she has ma.de me so !" 
 
 i h- u eight and u eariness upon his spirhs, of which he 
 had ceir j nir.ed so much to Tonnaleuka, \\ere now trone. ; 
 and. instead el anxionsh wishing to rt be e Ins mind ol the 
 il.< i;;J: s i at en \\did upon i:. le n> w \\irh.d to indulge 
 th in. and .o prolong, bv a ] rotrac:ed vvakefulness, the do 
 hgli : ul s lisa. ii. us \\hich hey alieided bun. 
 
 li he bad possessed \vp:m<j materials, a Blowing reply, as 
 warm ; s 1 ve ui <! gratitude could d.cialc, M o 1 !;i soon ha-.e 
 extended i.sell. in I. lack and \\lnie. upon tin 1 sable befoi e 
 him. 15n; this p lta-ing spicia.c e he could noi enjoy until 
 the ii! xi moiTiUiir, v. nbout interruptiiii; TonnuJC iika enber 
 in his de\ utieis or iiis repose, for he reasonably (Mioi.gh 
 li . ;!:)> iine ; ;. I \\ as < n^:-o-i <j in oiie 
 
 lie had, the/eiore, no;hmg lor ii bih to iinrr\ inlo 
 < 11 :>:-iei p as la.sl as p>ossibie, in order to ap.nihdate 
 bat must elapse before he c< ud enjoy the felicity 
 mil liis soui iu a leu: r to l;is beloved.
 
 THK WILDERNESS. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Tis love like this, in yonnsi and faithful hearts, 
 The nearest bliss to heaven on earth imparts: 
 For holy, sweet, and lull, without alloy, 
 Nought but tin: Tear of parting, to annoy. 
 It time would only cease his onward lliirht, 
 Xor wintr away those moments of delight, 
 When mutual happiness eac.h tlirob attunes, 
 And heart with heart, and soul with soul communes, 
 When fearless joy wafts free o er passion s wave, 
 \Vilh the first fed ings sacred nature crave, 
 The Kail s dread curse would threaten then in vain, 
 And Paradise would bloom on earth ajrain ! 
 
 WAI.TIIAM. 
 
 TOXXALEUKA was surprised in the morning to see Charles 
 in such <nmd spirits, although he at. once conjectured the 
 cause, for he had himself been the hearer of Maria s letter, 
 and had deposited it where it had heen found. 
 
 " You have 1 benefittcd much from your night s repose, I 
 perceive, my sou," said the prophet. 
 
 " Yes, father," replied Charles, - I am much better than 
 I was last niirht. 1 ut. father, could you oblige me with 
 materials for writing?" 
 
 " I can, my son. It will he a pleasant amusement for 
 you. 1 am olad YOU desire. Bv readme,- and writini>-, ] 
 trust you will he able to spend your time here without feel- 
 in o- it tedious and uncomfrotable." 
 
 4 1 shall trv to do so, father," replied Charles, who hav 
 ing possessed himself with pen, ink and paper, retired with 
 a lio-ht heart to his bed-chamber, to wrile his epistle." 
 
 1 will not insert this elaborate address of the enamored 
 Charles !o his hi loved in these memoirs, because, although 
 sentiment \vhich \\ ;;s no! the sincere dic- 
 nd for the sincerity of which .Maria did 
 credit, yet I am a\vare that there is not 
 nlv but would consider it absolute bom- 
 
 Ireiiueiitlv impossible lor enthusiastic 
 i . i
 
 24 THK WILDERNESS. 
 
 mistress of their hearts, the fervors of their passion, to 
 
 \vrile common sense, at least what common readers can re 
 ceive as such : for, like all other classes and communities 
 of men, lover.s have a technical language of their own, to 
 themselves the prettiest, and sweetest, perhaps, of all lan 
 guages; lr.it certainly the least rational and intelligible to 
 ihe rest of the world. 
 
 Charles havintr finished his letter, put it into the hands of 
 the prophet who promised thatit shoud be conveyed to Maria 
 that very day. 
 
 " \Viih respect to your servant s safety, my son, said the 
 prophet, "I have thought it necessary that something should 
 also be done ; for if left long to himself so near his enemies, 
 his rashness will inevitably expose him to the risk of beingf 
 recaptured." 
 
 "Father," replied Charles, "the certainty of iiis safe y 
 would indeed give me pleasure, and 1 shall be thankful for 
 whatever your wisdom may think, proper to do for him." 
 
 "It may be," .-aid the prophet, "that he will he unwilling 
 to obey my directions. \ our authority maybe necessary 
 to induce him thereto. Write to him thai it is your will lie 
 should obey me, and 1 will provide for his safety. I cannot 
 bring him here to conceal him, or to receive your command.?, 
 because I wish not the secret of this cavern to be known to 
 one of his careless and unguarded disposition." 
 
 "You are prudent, father," replied Charles, " and yon are 
 rijrht. 1 shall write to Peter, that in obeying you he onevs 
 me, and that on pain of my displeasure, he must attend ;o 
 your directions." 
 
 Charles wrote accordingly, and shortly afterwards Tonna- 
 ler.ka set out on a visit to Frazier s. In order to prevent any 
 of Charles enemies from suspecting, on account of the ter 
 mination of the tracks of footsteps in the sno\\ at the foot of 
 Pine tree, that there was any lurking-place near it. he con 
 tinued to extend these tracks onwards quite over the ridge, 
 by now taking a circuitous route to Frazier s. 
 
 Having delivered Maria s letter, he took Paddy Fra/ier 
 aside and explained to him his views with respect to Peter 
 McFall. 
 
 I have myself been a little alarmed on this sjibjcrt," ob- 
 -f-rved Paddy, " lost th;it f Hlow s loner tnnfue -hould ^ome
 
 THE WILDF.RNESi. 40 
 
 .inie or other betray to the French the whole a flair of Mr. 
 Adderly s rescue. His discovering on himself only would 
 be of little consequence, as the world could jog on pretty 
 \veii without him; and besides you know it would be alto 
 gether his own business though I don t wish the blockhead 
 
 _ 
 
 to get into a scrape either, in short, father, I agree with you 
 that, for the general good, we must get him out of the way 
 as soon as possible." 
 
 " Have you not certain trading concerns at Gist s planta 
 tion, on pretence of managing which we could send him 
 there > " asked Tonnaleuka. 
 
 " It is a good thought, father ;" replied Paddy, " I have a 
 package of otter and minx skins, that I wish immediately 
 conveyed to Gists/ Father, I think we can dispatch him 
 with them ; nay, [ shall go with him every yard myself, and 
 iix mutters so with Gist as to have our loose-tongued Irish 
 man detained there for a few months at any rate, by which 
 time it may please fortune to tnrnup something for our benefit. 
 
 This scheme was agreed upon, and Pe .er was summoned 
 before Tonnalenka. 
 
 My son, said the prophet, " here is a letter requiring 
 yon to perform some services I have in view for you. Will 
 you have any objection? 
 
 " Now, by the powers ! prophet," replied Peter, " isn t that 
 a strange question ? don t you see my master bids me och ! 
 may the blessing of " Bonna-Margary" be on him ! But, 
 prophet, may I make free to ask yon just where you have 
 stuffed my poor master out of the way? for sure would nt 
 Peter attend to him and all his errands, if it should be run 
 ning in and out of the devil s dungeon, or even a catamount s 
 den in this Wilderness." 
 
 " I know your regard for your master," observed the pro 
 phet, and hence it is that I am persuaded yon will cheerfully 
 undertake the performance of an errand on which he wishes 
 you immediately to proceed. As to your master s present 
 residence, my son, I am not at liberty to reveal it. But 1 
 may assure; that lie is quite, comfortable and safe." 
 
 "Area, now, dear prophet! but yon know every thing. 
 \ on know where mv master is. Now, if you would only 
 tell me. so that I might set mv eye again on him : who
 
 2 THE WII.DKKXKSS. 
 
 knows botheration to it! if we couldn t dash our brains to 
 gether, and find out some method never fear us for that, dear 
 prophet ! of making our way to swate Philadelphy again, 
 God blesss her ! but 1 wish my master and myself were 
 once more snug under the wooden roof of her long beef 
 market, my jewel !" 
 
 "But, my son," observed Tonnaleuka, " on your prest nt 
 errand Pnddy here will accompany you, and you will assist 
 him as your master desires, in his trading designs. Will you 
 start to-morrow, and Paddy will have matters prepared for 
 your journey . " 
 
 "This moment, your honor if I may call a prophet, your 
 honor Och ! now, any moment, I ll obey my masters or 
 ders but where must I go ? 
 
 " Paddv will give you every information," said Tonna 
 leuka. Follow his directions, and expect my blessing and 
 your master s approbation." 
 
 " By the jingo !" cried Peter, two excellent things these, 
 for a poor fellow like me. Arrah, now master, be nisy 
 and just tip a little bit of a prayer, and a blessing with it, 
 for me, every night. Priest Balgruddery, oh, the Virgin 
 bless him ! u-ed to do so. It. saved poor Peter a deal of 
 trouble when he was in Ireland, your reverence : and if you ll 
 just do the surne for me in this wild country, Och! how I ll 
 skip over it any where your majesty and my master please 
 to send me." 
 
 " 111 remember you in my orisons." replied the prophet. 
 " But you must now for some lime follow Paddy s directions." 
 So saying, Tonnaleuka departed. 
 
 " Horses horns ! he ll remember me in his horses horns ! 
 What the devil is that Paddy ? If horses have horns in this 
 country, by the great Columb ! but it s more than they have 
 in Ireland, my boy." 
 
 " He said his orisons, which is Indian for saying mass," 
 returned Paddy. It is only asses and stags that have horns 
 in this country. But Peter, we must be off by sunrise to 
 morrow. I have a parcel of peltrv and furs you must assist 
 me to take to Gist s plantation. It is only about a hundred 
 miles up the river. Your master wishes you to remain there, 
 where he intends you shall see him. probablv in a couple of 
 months."
 
 THK W1LDKRNESP. 27 
 
 " See him in a couple of months !" exclaimed Peter. Why, 
 -ure now, he may he in heaven before that time, and Peter 
 in puroatory, and I may never see him at all " 
 
 " Very likely." replied his consoling companion ; or might 
 it not just as readily happen that you should hoth go to pur 
 lin to ry together ?" 
 
 l> My my faith," said Peter, "and sure that s just what I 
 would like. But my master has never a purgatory to go to. 
 Why. did nt you know he s a Protestant, my jewel?" 
 
 " And that will save you from the devil s flail, you think," 
 said Paddy. " Dont they ?ay they thrash poor sinners in 
 that purging hole of yours, till their sins are beat outof them?" 
 
 " Och, Paddy," cried Peter, " none of your jeers now 
 for its only when we dont t pay the priest well enough to 
 say mass for our souls, heaven bless them ! that the devil 
 thrashes them : but it s for their good after all, as my mother 
 used to say. 
 
 " Well, Peter, it may be so; we ll not dispute about this 
 matter, just because we know nothing about it. Only you 
 need not expect to meet your master at either Gist s or pur 
 gatory, lor two months at least. So you must be content to 
 wait for him at whichever of the two places you first rind 
 yourself. But take care, that in either place you mention any 
 thing about our rcscuinir him from the French. It will do 
 Ciist no good to hoar it, and as to the devil you may meet 
 with in purgatory, he must know nlieadv all about it. from 
 the clatteriiii: of the half dozen Frenchmen we sent then*. 
 
 Peter promised to attend to this salutary caution ; and 
 every thing heinu that eveiiin^ prepared f<;r their journey, 
 they set forwaid with the dawn the next morning 1 for (list s 
 habitation, where Paddy left his companion to fall in love with 
 our of (list s daughter, which he swore !>y Si. Patrick he 
 \\ould, if he were obliged to remain their only the half of 
 ihi time: prescribed to him. I have been actually informed 
 that Peter did, in this instance liicrally keep his oath, and 
 permitted the charms of the fair Ksihcr (Ji>t entirely to 
 obliterate from his recollection those of Molly M\\icklr. 
 So much, dear reader, for the constancy of man ! 
 
 Paddy returned to his father s, after little more than a 
 week s absence, with his mind cntirdv at rase. ;\s to the
 
 > 1HK \\II.DKR\K8S. 
 
 present security of both Charles Adderly and his man Peter 
 from the power of the French. He had, indeed, in a short 
 time afterwards, reason to congratulate himself on Peter s 
 removal ; for the French had begun to entertain some suspi 
 cion as to the fate of Charles s escort, and had employed a 
 number of Indians to range the whole country in search of 
 information concerning them. Some of the remains of the 
 French soldiers were at length found, very much mangled 
 and torn by wild beasts, but still in a condition to admit of 
 their being identified. Suspicion was by Paddy s sly man 
 agement, thrown upon some of the Delaware Indians who 
 were supposed still to harbor a secret partiality for Charles 
 Adderiv and the English interest. It was even believed, 
 that Charles was yet secreted among them. Their chiefs 
 were in consequence summoned to Tort Uu Quesne to under 
 go an investigation, and answer to charges founded on these 
 surmises before the French commandant. 
 
 They attended cheerfully and replied to ail questions with 
 such promptitude, and freedom from embarrassment, that 
 St. Pierre, persuaded of their innocence was about to dis 
 miss them, when Svvanlamis, their king, addressed him : 
 
 "Father! you called us here to answer an accusation of 
 treachery and murder. Father ! we abhor treachery, and 
 we never slay those with whom we are at amity. We first 
 return the wampum of peace, we break the calumet, and we 
 sing the war-song in public, ere we abrogate treaties. Have 
 we done these tilings towards vou ? It is injurious, there 
 fore, to say that we killed your people at tin; time you were 
 our brothers, and when we professed friendship for you. 
 Father! it was wicked in yon to suspect us. It shows you 
 could do such things yourselves, if your occasions required 
 them. 
 
 "Father! you must, think better of us, and not, judge of 
 our integrity by your own, if yon wish to preserve our friend 
 ship The English wete more manly than you. They once 
 charged us with coolness, but never with treachery; tor they 
 knew th nt. before we should injure them we would warn 
 them and return their wampum. Shingiss thought, himself 
 hound to them, and he died lighting for them. 
 
 " Father ! we will do so for you, if yon act genaronslv. If
 
 FHK WILDEKXKSS. -i9 
 
 not, we will remove afar oil to the English lands southward, 
 and lift the hatchet against yon. 
 
 " What we want yon now to do, father, is, to tell all the 
 tribes that we are innocent that we scorn treachery, and 
 trial yon are sorry for having suspected us. We will then 
 forgive .your rashness, and smoke with yon as if this matter 
 h id not happened. We ran resent vengefully, but we can 
 also forgive readily. Father, choose ye!" 
 
 St. Pierre, partly from motives of policy, and partly from 
 a sentiment of generosity towards men whose feelings he 
 thought it was hut just to soothe by some concession, re 
 plied 
 
 li My brother that your people have been wrongfully 
 . .used of this deed. I believe. But the accusation did not 
 originate with me. It has been circulated by many mouths; 
 and I thought it was your due to afford you this opportunity, 
 if you were innocent, to justify yourselves to all men. Iain 
 glad you have been able to do so, and 1 hope that every one 
 vill lie as well satisfied as I am. 
 
 Brother I will inform all our allies that yon are inno- 
 rent ; and, for the trouble I have given yon, I shall order 
 * on a present of rum and some blankets." 
 
 The Indians, perfrtly satisfied with this result, left the 
 L lrrison in great good humor with their allies. 
 
 The search after Charles and JV ter M-Fall, whose escape 
 MOIII I,e Bci uf was, soon after it. took place, known at I)n 
 Que.-ne. was carried on for some lime, in the neighborhood 
 of both forts, to no purpose. It, waa abandoned as fruitless ; 
 -Mid Maria began to feel quite at ea<e in respect to her lover s 
 security. 
 
 lie had written to her often, and in every letter pressingly 
 solicited a vi:-it from her. " () my love ! " he would say, " let 
 \our presence but for once bless the cell to which you have 
 ondemned me it will then be endeared to me, and i shall 
 feel happy ! 
 
 At, length, as soon as she was assured that all inquiry alter 
 iiim was relinquished by his enemies, she yielded to his re- 
 que.^t, and accompanied the prophet to his cavern. Charles 
 was sitting beside a tolerably comfortable lire, with his head 
 reclined upon the table, meditating upon her when she en-
 
 30 TUB WILDKKNKSS. 
 
 tered. The prophet had gone on, as was his usual custom 
 during 1 a time of snow, to continue the tracks to the other 
 side of the ridge, ur.til they joined a frequented Indian path 
 ahout hall a mile distant. She, therefore, entered her lover s 
 apartment alone, and her light footsteps along the passage had 
 not aroused him from his meditations. 
 
 "Mr. Adderly !" said she. He looked up, and scarcely 
 believing his senses, started to his feet, and approached her. 
 
 "Ah, Maria !" he exclaimed ; hlessed girl ! am I indeed 
 so happy ! Have you come at last, to cheer your Charles 
 amidst the solitude of his dungeon?" 
 
 "1. have ventured," said she, " with the permission ol 
 Tonnaleuka, to indulge you at tliis time, because I belieu- 
 that the danger of my visit loading to your discovery, is 
 now much diminished. 1 thank Cod that you have so long 
 escaped; for your enemies were much inflamed at the 
 slaughter of their companions, and, for some time, very ar 
 dent in their search after you. Oh. Charles ! it was well 
 that you had such a place of refuge. Were you now to fall 
 into their hands, 1 fear that in their rage, they would at once 
 consign you to destruction!" 
 
 " ]>e not alarmed for that, my love!" said he. "I might 
 indeed if now in their power, he more strictly confined, and 
 perhaps more harshly treated than before my escape : hut 
 they would have no plea for endangering my life. Euro 
 pean usages, you are aware, my too timid girl, acknow 
 ledge the right of every prisoner of war, except he lie on 
 parole, to regain his liberty by any means he can." 
 
 "It maybe so," she replied; "but what power is there 
 here, in this Wilderness, to constrain their compliance with 
 these usages Alas ! may we not fear that the example ol 
 the; Indians would reconcile them to the destruction of an 
 obnoxious prisoner ; and it is reported that they have late 
 ly used horrible threats against you on account of the loss 
 of their men." 
 
 " They may have done so," said he; "but, Maria, here 
 you know there is no danger, and if you would only some 
 times bless me, as vou do now, with your presence, I think 
 I could become content to pass my days even in this dun 
 geon. Oh ! if we had but had the good fortune to have
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 31 
 
 urited our fates but I will not now annoy you with this 
 subject. Onlv only promise to visit me often, and 1 shall 
 hrre lie happy !" 
 
 "Alas. Charles!" she replied, "if it were not imprudent, 
 I would feel but too much inclined to visit yon. But 1 must 
 1". cautious, and indulge neither my wishes nor your own 
 to the endangering of your safety." 
 
 "And will \ on deny me?" he cried ; "Oh, surely you can 
 not, merelv on the cold calculation of some trilling, some 
 scarcely-to-be-imagined danger, deny me the only enjoyment 
 that can make my abode here that could make my exis- 
 ti nee any where, tolerable. Oh Maria, deprive me of your 
 society, and you will bid me at once despair!" 
 
 " 15e calm. Charles!" said she. "I have no intention to 
 t \ctude ms sell" entirely from you ; but my visits must not 
 be frequent, and they must only be when Tonnaleuka per- 
 iiiits lor it is he whose wisdom has hitherto regulated all 
 mv conduct, better than 1 m\ sell could have done." 
 
 "1 will then weary the prophet with pra\ ers." said he, 
 lie will not refuse to indulge me in the onlv happiness 
 -oul is now capable of knowing." 
 
 Tcnnaleuka." .-he observed, "will only do in this mat- 
 ^ hat \oursaielv and my ease of mind will thoroughly 
 til. 1 wish \ nu to expect, no more from him. my 
 Oh! would in heaven, that you were safe again 
 \\i\\\ sour Iriends in Philadelphia !" 
 
 And banished from thee, mv Maria ! Ah, how can you 
 \vis.h to drive me so far troni you! Here, even here, in this 
 i ungeon, enclosed in the bowels of the earth, 1 feel happier, 
 1 realise 1 am near thee. becau-e 1 can olien hear of thee, 
 ; . :id perhaps sometimes see thee. than if 1 were in the midst 
 ii m\ Iriends, surrounded with all the smiles and the plea- 
 fiire!- ol social enjoyment, without thee. Alas! Maria, will 
 t ie dav never come when 1 shall introduce thee to those 
 i lends, te 1 that social hie. v\ Inch ibou art so eminently jorm- 
 i I In oinamen and en|o\ How would my Iriends rejoice 
 tu thee! how weuld society admire thee. and how would 1 
 i vult, and adore thee ! Oh. Maria, it ibou wert once mine, 
 : .1 his beatitude would SI.MII be our lot !" 
 
 " Charles," said she, sou are too \isionarv, vou are too
 
 IHi: WILDERNESS. 
 
 sanguine of what the world might think of me. You havt 
 been pleased to think well of me yourself, and hence you 
 think every person else must do so. Restrain these flights 
 of fancy, these poetical dreams of yours, and look at whai 
 is more likely to he the world s estimate. It mav gaze at 
 me. hut so would it gnze at any savage from the wilderness. 
 for str.mi.re sights I am told will always draw its attention ; 
 and as to vour friends, they would he likely to say, It w:is 
 indeed nn unlucky day for poor Charles, when he? first wen 1 
 among the savages, to get himself and us entangled and bur- 
 thened with this woman, who is come amongst us without 
 a penny a rude, uncultivated daughter of the desert. Thr 
 loss of the expedition he conducted, was not to him, and to 
 us, such a provoking misfortune as this! 
 
 "Maria. Maria! " said Charles, pressing her fingers to his 
 lips, " Oh, have done with such a picture ! It will not he. 
 it cannot be so ! oh. I swear to yon it will not ! 80 beau 
 tiful, so intelligent, so erentle. so sweet-tempered, so good- 
 hearted, so " 
 
 " Stop, sir!" said she, with a smile. "I will help you out 
 with it; yon were going to say so angdic ! so celestial 
 so immaculate ! I declare. Charles, 1 already know tin 
 whole cant, and you mav save yourself the trouble of re 
 pealing these elegant phrases. If you wish me often to 
 visit you, I desire you will speak common sense to me .- 
 for I assure you that, although I have been brought up in a 
 country of savages, I am not absolutely a fool. 
 
 " Alas, Maria ! you are too severe with me. Oh ! be 
 lieve me, I speak truth when 1 say, that my words have 
 never expressed to you half the admiration of my heart Ibi 
 your beauties and your virtues. But, forofive me if I be too 
 warm. My heart is now open to von. and, by heavens ! I 
 e.arfhot help it. My love!" here he again pressed her hand 
 to his glowing lips, while, with a sigh, he continued, " Oh 
 my love, little do you indeed know what this heart feels foi 
 you ! " 
 
 "I am aware," said she, unconsciously returning his sigh. 
 " that you love me, Charles ; and hence I can well know 
 w r hat you feel, for, alas ! my own heart feels too fondly 
 too strongly the softness, the tenderness, the fervency 01
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 33 
 
 true love. Hut we must chancre the subject. I came here 
 to Clothe your feelings, to allav your impatience under con- 
 finement, and to encourage you, all in my power, to support, 
 it ; and not to dissolve you into weakness, or reduce you to 
 foolishness. I would have you to be resolute, to be manly, 
 am. rational: and restrain these inordinate emotions, which 
 only the feeble-minded and effeminate will permit to over- 
 eoi ic them." 
 
 Aly monitress ! lovely inspirer of all my generous sen 
 timents. 1 will be swayed by thee. Thy rules of conduct 
 sh: il direct me. and thy suggestions of propriety shall give 
 me law. 1 will arouse myself to fortitude, since thou bidst 
 me. 1 will bear, and 1 will try to bear without repining, 
 the delay of calling thee mine, which fate has prescribed, 
 perhaps, as a punishment for my excessive love. When 
 then seest me getting weak, oh, Maria ! only tell me, and I 
 will be strong if 1 should die under the effort. " 
 
 Here the approach of Tonnaleuka was heard, and Charles 
 h.id just let go her hand, which ever since her entrance he 
 bad held in his. when the prophet appeared. 
 
 IL il to you. my children !" said he. " 1 am glad that, 
 yo.i can yet meet in safety. .Hut, alas! dangerous times are 
 c,i ling upon the "Wilderness, when the two most powerful 
 na: ons 1,11 earth will combat here, and make the most secret 
 deaths of the desert ring to their very entrails with the fury 
 of their combats. But. my children, 1 will not shock you, 
 now when you are happy, with a description of the evils 
 tin - are approaching, for 1 trust that you will both escape 
 tlv desolation thev will email upon multitudes. Here, at 
 le; st, in the worst of times. I expect, there will be found by 
 th< meek and the humble, safe shelter from storms that will 
 le\fl to the dust the mighty and the renowned ! My chil- 
 dr n, lie of good cheer, for after the fury of this storm is 
 ex tended, one of the powerful nations will yield, and to 
 ill- who survive here, an age of peace and happiness 
 slvll arrive, bringing davs more prosperous and bright than 
 e\, r before shown upon the desert. Then shall come to 
 pa -s the saying of the Hebrew oracle, The Wilderness and 
 th solitary place shall be glad for them: and the desert 
 shall rejoice and blossom as the rose.
 
 34 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 "Father," said Charles, "that the recent transactions m 
 this country will occasion a war to break out betwei n 
 Great Britain and France, I doubt not. Great troubles w !i 
 consequently lie here, for this neighborhood will naturaliy 
 be one of the lirst scenes of the fierce contention and oh ! 
 that this lair, but tender ilower of the forest could be r - 
 moved to a more secure soil before that stormy period com 
 mences ! Father, do you not think that this could be a< - 
 complished ? Could she not accompany me ?" 
 
 " My son," said the prophet, interrupting him "thc r e 
 are many obstacles in the way. If ever it be accomplished, ( 
 it must "be done with a strict regard to all the rules of pro 
 priety. At least, my son, it 1 can influence the actions of 
 this child of my instruction, she never will yield for one 
 moment to consult inclination or even to yield to tetror ;n 
 the commission of any act that, may exhibit the faitm ~t 
 shade of offence against feminine propriety; and let me ad-!, 
 thai 1 believe her determination to act pioperly and hero; - 
 ingly in all cases, and in defiance of all inducements to t! e 
 contraiy, is as firm and unalterable as 1 could wish it. 
 
 " Therefore, mv son, although she loves you, and although 
 the horrors of \\ar may here assail her even to desinictio i, 
 yet, except und< r circumstances wherein no duly can i e 
 hioken, no principle, either of religion, honor, or decorum 
 infringed, } on mays::lnit her to fly with you from the see >> 
 of evils, bul 1 am persuaded yen will solicit in vain. 
 
 " My son, until the Great F.nher shall eiuide you. in l! ft 
 opinions of men to be her protector, which you are awan, 
 under pre.-ent circumstance^ eannot lake place, it will I o 
 well if you refrain fiom disturbing her with solicitations o 
 which she cannot yield, since there would be impropriety 
 in her doing so. 
 
 Now, my children, it is time for you to separate again. 
 Daughter, attend me I wish to conduct you home while a 
 is yet day." 
 
 " Maria arose, when her lover, catching her by the hand, 
 exclaimed, "Ah! are you going to leave me? But it mu. t 
 be. Oh, let me beg, in the presence of this our good la 
 ther, that you will soon indulge me with another precious 
 visit !"
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 35 
 
 " It \viil ho whenever our father pleases," returned Maria, 
 looking at the prophet wiih an expression ol countenance 
 wh di very much favored Charles s request. 
 
 It will then he, when both safety and propriety combine 
 to permit," :-aid Tonnaleuka. " Hut, my son," continued 
 lie. addres<int>- Charles, In- comforted; her absence will 
 not he unnecessarily protracted." 
 
 Then farewell, my beloved!" cried Charles; "and may 
 the (ire it Guardian of all puritv protect you in every peril, 
 ami assist you through every dilliciili v !" 
 
 t areweli, Charles!" said she; "may he likewise be 
 your protector!" and they separated. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Beneath a moving s!i:ide of fruits and (lowers, 
 Onw.ml thi V iii.irch to li mien s sici ed ho .vers: 
 \V:th lifted torch lie lights the festive triin 
 Sublime, and le;n!s them m h;s uoiden ch:iin , 
 Joins the fond |),nr. mil u li_ ent to their \o\ss. 
 
 And hides, with m\s.i..c veil, their blushiii.; lirows. 
 
 DARWIN. 
 
 SHORTLY afier the forc<roin<r visit of M.iria to hr lover s 
 r;i"erii, the first marriage tlia 1 ever took p! ic > between the 
 c! Idren of Britain in the Wdderne.s-*, w i~- celebrated. A- 5 
 tli" nartie< to thi~; nuptial treaty have alreadv b.-en m tlte 
 re ider s presence, and have, I trust, made upon his mind, if 
 liiit a \a:ry dee[), at least not an unfavorable impression, 1 
 ! ill take the lib -riv, for whic i, with all the humility possi- 
 bl" in an author, 1 crave indulgence, to expend a lew pa^es 
 in relating some of the circinn-taiii-es connected with a tra ns- 
 ai- ; ion which had, upon ilie-e parties, the very important 
 ei r ect of binding them together lor life.
 
 3D 1 HE \V1J,1>KKNKSS. 
 
 To keep the reader no longer in suspense as to the happ, 
 couple, I shall broadly name them, viz : Andrew rvillbreath. 
 M. D., late of the city of Philadelphia, and iSancy Frazier. 
 eldest daughter of Mr. Gilbert Frazier, of Frazier s Field, at 
 the forks of Turtle Creek a;id the Monongahela. Alter this 
 precise annunciation, there can he no mistake as to the iden 
 tity of the persons. I shall therefore go on to show the 
 marriage. 
 
 The bridegroom, that is, the Doctor, was, as in this ca 
 heeaine him, the j>rand spring in moving the whole machh e 
 of the matter. He had long solicited the hand of the fair 
 IS ancy, and she had been nothing loth to let him have ii. 
 Besides this, her father and mother,- and every one else tint 
 had anything to say in the affair, had assented to her be 
 coming the Doctor s wife: and the latter had, for ma:;v 
 months, found only one obstacle in the way of his trenii : 
 possession of the desired premises, which \vas, the want of 
 some proper person to perlect the deeds. The arrival of 
 the Chaplain that accompanied Charles Adderly s last expe 
 dition, seemed to remove this obstacle, and to oiler to tl e 
 Doctor the prospect of immediate happiness. But the Do - 
 tor found in this matter, as many smother clever fellow in 
 this precious world has done, that there is, as the old sayii g 
 has it, "many a slip between the cup and the lip." 
 
 I had at the time more important business on hand, other 
 wise I should have related the Doctor s joy on finding -o 
 desirable a personage as the Chaplain along with the exp.- 
 dition, and the measures that he, in consequence, adopted o 
 avail himself of that lucky circumstance. There i* ho\\ev< r, 
 no time lost, and ] beg leave now to atone for the omission. 
 
 INow, ]N ancy, " said he, running to his fair one, as socii 
 as he learned that the Chaplain was forthcoming, and taki: : j 
 her aside " Now, my dear, there need be no longer del; y 
 of our happiness. Mr. Adderly has brought a clerjjym; n 
 with him, who can make us man and wife. If you w il 
 consent to it, I shall engage him to perform the ceremon . , 
 as soon as you shall think convenient. But, O ! my dear I t 
 it be soon ! " 
 
 "Have you spoke to my father about it yet?" ask^d 
 iVancy. 
 
 " iVo, mv love ; hut I .nn uu lir will h-v.e no ob|frti(.-i.
 
 \ Hi know lie has long since said that he had none to our 
 nr .rriage. provided we had a clergyman convenient to per- 
 fo:-in it. .Now wo have a clergyman, JNancy. and I expect 
 your lather will keep his word. 
 
 1 expect so too," said she : " and if he has no objection 
 then then But you and he for it, Doctor!" 
 
 "Oh, my dear give me a s\veet kiss tor that," said the 
 Docter. "I will immediately converse with your lather and 
 Inve the happy day appointed." 
 
 " You may do as you think proper," was Nancy s reply. 
 He took another iervent kiss, pressed her hand softly, and 
 hastened away, with great animation of manner, in search 
 01 Gilbert. 
 
 If Gilbert had any seiuptc_s at ail on the subject, it arose 
 from this clergyman not being a Presbyterian. "It was un 
 fortunate," he said, "that he should belong to the prelacy, 
 wha had only cleared aft a sma part o the abominations o 
 the whore o Babylon, as the worthy gospel minister o 
 iMaughrygowan, Alexander Carmichael, used to say." These 
 scruples, however, soon gave way before the weight of the 
 Doctor s rhetoric, rind Gilbert consented that on that day 
 ir.on .h the learned Doctor should become his son-in-law. 
 
 I ll" Doctor thought, perhaps justly enough, that there 
 \\ is no good reason for waiting to such a distant period; 
 but Gilbert stated, that one month was the exact length of 
 time which had, on appointing the day, been fixed for him- 
 s( !f to wait for the attainment of Xelly s hand : and insisted 
 t! al the Doctor was capable of exerting as much patience 
 a- he then was, and that he should now submit to do so. 
 I iie Doctor, not being able to do better, acquiesced, saga- 
 c; Misly observing, that the longest month would have an end. 
 
 Hut, das ! if either the Doctor or Gilbert had posses.-ed 
 tl, 1 spirit of prophesy, they would not have agreed to such 
 a listant period; and Tonnalenka, who might perhaps have 
 set them right in the matter was not consulted. 
 
 The capture of Charles Adderly s follower happened in 
 tl.o interval ; and before the heavily moving month hat! gone 
 p. st, the ill-starred clergyman had been obliged to take tip 
 rn< quarters in Fort, Le Ho iif. 
 
 The Doctor and Nancy were mii h afHic.trd at this un-
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 toward accident, this dashing of the cup of bliss out of ih-n 
 hands, \vhe.:i it ha I almost approached their lips. Bit the 
 D >ctor was a nriii of sense : and therefore, instead of si tiny 
 down, and uselessly laai MitniiT his niisjortune, he set hi^ 
 mind to work to discover how lie should best repair it. 15u; 
 first, having a good deal of mettle in liis composition, he re 
 solved to convince his unstress of jt, hy inrticiinij a blmv o 1 
 some kind upon the French, in re venire f,r the mjnrv ttiev 
 had dune him. lie accordingly joined, heart and hand, in 
 the scheni" \vhich Kiddy had projected lor tin 1 de>tniclio- 
 of Charles s escort. Soon al er ibis exoloit however he \i>-~ 
 gan to think, that from the French themselves he might ob 
 tain a remedy fir hi- ii.isf ortune. Th ir Chaplain, he con 
 ceived, must he as capable of making husbands and wive- 
 as any oilier Chaplain: and, although he should ns> ;i, 
 form prescribed bv ilie Romish c lur.-ii, vet that form \vouM 
 still be a chri-t;-"i one. a: ; w> lid. if ii erred at ail, err onl 
 on the safe side, bv U i ;i : , r too much ceremony ;n 
 li lle. To aet hound to his N:-incv, was the in-eii object fur 
 which he lonoed ; and, if he could onh~ <ret this C:i 
 pr n-s! to dj it, if it should be a lillle overdone, he cou! 1 
 readily excuse him. 
 
 .Monsieur d Abheviile hid been too lonir a military prie.-i, 
 and was too deeply versed in Montaigne s Essays, to li ! 
 any irreat scruple of conscience in performing a piece of se - 
 vice, of the kind the doctor wanted, to two voting lov<-r \ 
 a Wii,!)KK\i:s.s, allhoiii> h they should be heretics. H- iher - 
 fore Ciincen ted without hesitation to spend a merrv niu i! at 
 Frazier s, and in d\e the doctor happy. 
 
 There 1 was another obstacle, however, which the doci >r 
 found more difficulty in removing. This was the conscii-n- 
 lions scruples of both Gilbert and Xellv, in assentina to i ;e 
 marria<re of their dai:irlner by one of ihe priests of Aniichri-t 
 The, doctor had anticipated this; and, therefore, besides e\c 
 ertincr all the artillery of Ijis own eloquence, he took care 10 
 secure the powerful aid of Paddy s, who, in a few conv-r- 
 satioris, drew over his mother to the side of the lovers. 
 
 Gilbert stoutly maintained his integrity for some days, but 
 at length yielded rather to the importunities and entreaties 
 of his whole family, than to his own conviction on the mat 
 ter, observing
 
 Till; WILDERNESS. .49 
 
 v> \\ eel. mv bairns, gin ye will marry, e en in the name o 
 Gracious, iio sae, an" diima, i^aze me mair about it. It is 
 r to marry than to burn, Saint. Paul says ; an , feggs, 
 i;in ye didna marry noo wi my wull, you micht do waur in 
 spite o me. 1 uinua like tiiem limbs o tho pope. But 
 ::iey ca themsel s Christian*, though the fule IV me! gin 
 they ken audit about it ; yet syne ye maun gang thegither, its 
 Better to be married in their gate than no be married ava. It 
 was an auld saying in Maughrygowan, () twa puddles, aye 
 .boose the cle me-t. : 
 
 In consequence of tins iva-oning on (he part of Gilbert, 
 everv article was removed, and the 17th of March Patrick s 
 .:ay, clear reader i a day to which Gilbert s haarl was always 
 partial was lixed for the wedding. 
 
 The preparations for celebrating a day so important in the 
 mals of Gilbert s family, occupied the attention of his whole 
 household for nearly a week. Gilbert, having irjven his -as 
 sent to have the thing done, resolved to put forth his might 
 10 have it done genteelly, and therefore spared no pains on 
 the occasion. Paddy also greatly exerted himself: and as. 
 he was at this time on a more than usually intimate footing 
 with the officers of the garrison, for, ever since the affair of 
 iear s-creek, he had been extremely assiduous in cultivating 
 ; heir good will, he procured from their stores a supply of 
 luxuries which could not then have been elsewhere procured 
 in the Wilderness. He had, also, with the view of iturra- 
 iatmg himself still more lirmlv into their good graces, in 
 vited several of them, and two or three () f their ladies, to the 
 ceremony; having resolved in his own mind that the festivi 
 ties of the day shou! 1 con dude wiiii ;; ball. 
 
 As to the part whudi was assigned to Maria in these prepa- 
 ations they were both zealously iindenakan and efficiently 
 performed. The regulation of the bride s d;-e*s, the deco- 
 raiion of the. room, the arrangement of the table economy, 
 like were what principally came under her man- 
 As to Mrs. Fra/.ier, everv good house-wife, who 
 me to prepare a marriage ( east, knows that she had 
 a thousand thing- to do. and it has been satisfactorily ascer 
 tained, that she neglected none ol them. 
 21
 
 40 IHK \\ILDKKNESa. 
 
 Ill short, the great day at length came, and just about the 
 hour of noon, the " holy man," accompanied by rive officers 
 and three ladies, came gaily to the door. 
 
 Nancy was enclosed in a small room with Maria, who was 
 decorating her for the occasion, \v hen she perceived this merry 
 party advancing past the window. 
 
 " Oh, Maria dear!" she exclaimed, " tiiere they are ! what 
 shall 1 do ? I never shall be able to face t nose impudent 
 looking o Dicers, and funny looking ladies. Oh, I feel alreadv 
 ashamed !" 
 
 Fear nothing," tuid Aiaria ; " it is a trying occasion, I 
 acknowledge: but 1 am convinced you will go through it 
 creditably. Why, Nancy, you reaily look so well that you 
 need nut to be ashamed to show yourself in any place, or be 
 fore any company." 
 
 "But they will be all looking at me," returned Nancy; 
 " Oh ! how will I stand it ! If none but our own family were 
 to ue present, 1 could do well enough, 1 believe but such a 
 number cf strangers ! I wish Paddy had been far enough 
 when he asked them." 
 
 1 ou must have courage, Naiics ," observed her sisier ; 
 " tin: two or three first minutes will carry jou over the whole 
 difficulty. The first look at you will give these people a fa 
 vorable impression ; and they will not for civility s sake, you 
 may depend on it, after that, attempt to stare at you, at least 
 with any rudeness or intention to hurt your feelings." 
 
 " I wish the affair was over altogether !" returned the bride. 
 
 1 myself wish it. 1 assure you," said .Maria, " both for 
 your sake, and my own, for 1 anticipate that it will be too jo 
 vial a scene for my taste. But, Nancy, we must have cour 
 age, and perform our parts as well as we can. \<>ur part, I 
 am aware, will be by far tiie most tiifncult ; but I am per 
 suaded you will acquit yourself properly. Keep up a good 
 spirit ; you will get through it more easily than you expect." 
 
 I shall get through it," replied Nancy, "I know 1 shall, 
 but then I doubt it it will be with a great deal of blundering ; 
 for I really know nothing about such a matter." 
 
 li Nor is it necessary, I should presume," said Maria. 
 I should suppose, that it is the priest s duty to inform you. 
 Every young woman who is going to be married in not sup-
 
 THE WILDEKXKMS, 41 
 
 posed to be acquainted with the forms of the ceremony. The 
 contrivers of these forms must therefore, have provided for 
 this, circumstance." 
 
 "Then 1 is no help Cur it now." said LNancv : " I must just 
 fio in at 1 couid ;dnu,:rt wi-hthat I had not to under 
 
 go the trial." 
 
 U hv. are you not geumg a uod man and a loud lover 
 lor yoni hus oand . " oi sem-d Maria, " and will not that atone 
 (r an) : : i;.- temporary inc. this n:-t .iro. But, 
 
 believe me, i ou will not fee! i: if the confusion yon expect." 
 
 Ai this mo m n! In ; inotln > entered to inip.ir" if Nancy 
 was read) ; be introduced to die cun;panv. A iev minnie-^ 
 more made her so, and hin-duiij like ihe (i,i\\ nm o! morn," 
 lair \\ooii-nymph was ; r sidi lairer sister 
 
 in o lite present ot the ^ay French ladies and gentlemen, 
 w!h> . , i see them. Expecting 
 
 only to behold raw, clownish, and coarse girls, little superior 
 ..arance 01 . son to the squaws that per 
 
 formed liie r meii:. -. h ; >w great was their astonish 
 
 ment, when those i->;nnis.--eiirs saw en u-rii.if their presence, 
 ;n simple, neat, and e .egi.m attire, two beautiful females, so 
 vei M) modest, that they might have passed for 
 Diana and one of h(-r -Mine from the classic plains 
 
 oi Ciieece to hunt in .iiis unknown Wilderness. 
 
 Iniii! us ind buws were made; and a thousand 
 
 compliments paid by the oii: M rs, with all the rapidity and 
 volubility ef! me ( a] i -an politeness. The |- reriHi ladies also 
 received om tv,o buds of the forest with politeness and good 
 hnini.;-, a linonjrli tiiey conid not but be conscious thai they 
 were surpassed by them 1-1 ad those cliarms and graces of 
 person on which they, in reality v had some reason to value 
 themselves. 
 
 Nancy understood a little I Yencn, but Maria spoke it al- 
 ni i.-t a- Cicely as I jigli.-h. Niie. therefore took the burthen 
 oi conversing with the-e ladies upon herself. 
 
 " \Vliv, Mi.-s Frazii-r, obsr-i ved Madan.e de Vamnloise, 
 tii s is ready a novel and charming scene to which, we have 
 been invited. I should not have missed the delight of being 
 here to-day for the world." 
 
 "The business of this dav is, indeed," ^aid Maria, "alto-
 
 42 i KK \\ n,m;KNi-;ss. 
 
 gcthe; a novelty here. I believe that nothing of the kind has 
 before taken place in these woods. The singularity of the 
 situation, and other circumstances, for a wedding-patty, it 
 is natural should make some impression on your mind ; and, 
 as you have no doubt the good nature to view some things 
 with indulgence which you cannot altogether appiove, so you 
 may, perhaps, on account of not having expected much to 
 give satisfaction, be inclined to yield to what is really toler 
 able, more credit than it deserves." 
 
 " I see nothing," returned the French lady, but what 
 the most fastidious would acknowledge to be delightful ; and 
 the occasion is so interesting a beautiful young woman go 
 ing to be married to a fine looking young man really, Miss 
 Frazier, the whole is charming ! What say you, .Madame 
 Joncaire, is it not charming? But the btide herself I must 
 have her opinion." 
 
 Nancy sat silent, pretending not to have noticed this inti 
 mation to join in the discourse, while Madame Joncaire 
 observed 
 
 " It is, indeed, admirable ! and in the wild woods too ! 
 who would have dreamed of such a thing ! and such a place, 
 and such people! Why, Madame de Vamploise, 1 am real 
 ly charmed ! But I wish to hear the bride s opinion of the 
 matter. My dear," said she, addressing Nancy, "will you 
 favor us." 
 
 Nancy, finding that she was compelled to speak, replied, 
 with as much good humor as she could, to her ganulous 
 companions "I have not had sufficient means of judging 
 how these things should be, to know whether we are here 
 likely to conduct them right or wrong. But we shall do 
 the best we can to make you and the rest of our compan\ 
 comfortable." 
 
 " La ! now," returned Madame De Vamploise. "this is 
 not what we want to know. We v:ant to know, my dear, 
 how you like your present situation. We -ue so charmed 
 with it, that we hope you too feel happy. Why, 1 remem 
 ber when 1 was myself going to be married it was at J our- 
 deaux, a very gay place, 1 assure you how l.felt ! for the 
 whole world was present and Monsieur De Vamploise was 
 so gay and agreeable, not like the dry, prim, Dutrhmnn- 
 looking pi c of gravity that hr now i: ."
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 4U 
 
 "Heh! what you say now, my chucky ?" cried De Vam- 
 ploise, who h-id heard these flattering observations of his 
 helpmate, as she intended he should. "Why, to be sure I 
 was always pleasant but, as to your Dutch comparison, my 
 dear, wlyy shouldn t a Dutchman be as pleasant as another 
 man Answer me that, my spoil .-o !" 
 
 Here the priest interposed. "No catechising, I beg of 
 you." said he. " It is my province to be inquisitor; and 1 
 will inquire of our fair bride here, whether you, Madame de 
 \ ^mploise, have Driven her lair play in your discourse, for 1 
 know it is seldom that, you give it to anybody." 
 
 "How so! Monsieur d Abheville ?" quickly demanded 
 the lady. 
 
 1 rc.ause you unmercifully exert all your powers against 
 us," returned the priest, "when one half of them would be 
 as much as we could have any reasonable chance of icsist- 
 ins:. Hut, apropos, 1 think we had belter have this cere 
 mony performed before dinner, and then we shall be at ease, 
 and have nothing to do afterwards but enjoy ourselves. 
 
 .Nobly said, your reverence !" exclaimed Monsieur de 
 Vamploise; "1 second your motion. What says the bride- 
 ifi oom i" 
 
 " I have no objection," replied the doctor. " We are in 
 this matter, under the priest s control. Let him regulate it 
 as he chooses." 
 
 Well, then," returned the priest, "we shall prepare." 
 
 At that instant the sounds of horses feet were heard at 
 the door, and the ceremony was delayed. Paddy L ra/ier 
 in a few minutes introduced two travellers to the company, 
 bv the names of Mr. Washington and Mr. Vanbraam. 
 
 Joncaire and De Vamploise had seen Washington before, 
 and immediately recognized him. 
 
 \\ hat ! 1 am reallv <jlad to see you, Mr. Washington," 
 exclaimed Joncaire, as he shook him bv the hand; "yon 
 remember Yenanin) yet, I hope. " 
 
 "Very well," replied Washington; "and 1 remember 
 <. on too. N ou ha\e ki-pt your words good with respect, to 
 Shanapins, I hear; but no matter it is the fate of war, and 
 the sword devoureth one man as well as another." 
 
 " \ on remark excellently, Mr. Washington. Hut! hope
 
 44 fHK WILDERNESS. 
 
 you are not come among- us this time with any proposals to 
 drive us from this pleasant country. By G d, all the trea 
 ties that can ever he penned in Virginia, will not induce me 
 to le;n e i !" 
 
 " \ Oil may rest at ease on that subject at present." ob 
 served Washington. " I corne here on no official business; 
 I am merely a private visitor." 
 
 "Then let us drive public concerns to the de\il, for this 
 day at least, Mr. Washington. We are come to a wedding, 
 and have nothing to do here to-day but to be merry. I hope 
 you will have no objection to join us?" 
 
 Washington had been hastily informed by Pnddv. previ 
 ous to hi.-- entering the room, of whai was msing" on. "I 
 will have no objection in the world/" he c.bsened in reply 
 to Joncaire. Re then hastily proceeded to pav his re>;i :cls 
 to each individual in the room. Wh::n he came to Maria, 
 he for a moment changed color, and Ire: in bled so. that, had 
 he not possessed an unparalleled command over IIMM-- . If. 
 which enabled him suddenly to check his ainiatioi;. ii wuld 
 not have, failed to betray itself. As it was, however, Ai-n-ia 
 alone observed it. Si , slisfhlh blushed at the circumstance, 
 which his keen e\ e peri i i\ i>i. and from thence imbibed a 
 hope, a delusive hope, of the mini re of her iVelinsr? towards 
 hi in. 
 
 lie hastened to seat himself beside the bridegroom, with 
 whom, in order to divert the current of his ideas, so that he 
 might the more easily join in the good humor of the com 
 pany, he entered into a lively and interesting- conversation 
 on the topic of this being- the first Christian wedding ever 
 given in so remote a part of the country. 
 
 The priest having now put on his sanctified vestments, 
 and all oth*M- matters thi-t he deemed essential to the cere 
 mony being adjusted, he ordered the doctor and his betrothed 
 to kneel tog-ether before him. The whole company also 
 knelt; when, having none throujrh what Gilbert considered 
 the profane and idolatrous ceremony of the mass, he pro 
 ceeded to the more interesting and essential one of receiving 
 the mutual vows of the bridal pair, and then, with as much 
 haste as the forms of his church permitted, he pronounced 
 them to be husband and wife, and desired the doctor to im-
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 45 
 
 -rint the seal of the sacred union upon his wife s lips. The 
 I ovMor eagerly obeyed ; the priest imitated him, and every 
 man in the company followed such a laudable and agreeable 
 
 example. 
 
 CHAPTER \. 
 
 So peaceful rests without a stone, a name, 
 
 That once had beauty, titles, wealth and fame. 
 
 How loved, how honored once, avails thee not, 
 
 To whom related, or by whom begot; 
 
 A heap of dust, alone remnins of thee, 
 
 r Tis all thou art, and all the proud shall be. 
 
 POPE. 
 
 Tins important matter being so happily accomplished, 
 the whole company felt disposed for the enjoyment of hilar- 
 iiv and mirth. The slv innendo. the smart repartee, and 
 the loud lau<rh. now exercised the wits and amused the fan 
 cies of all present, until, by the exertions of Mrs. Frazier 
 and Maria, assisted also by Archy, a plentiful and luxurious 
 dinner smoked noon the able. 
 
 The French showed themselves as good at eating as they 
 had been at jesting, anil, tor about twenty or thirty minutes 
 appeared to have as keen a relish for Mrs. Frazicr s dain 
 ties as for their own jokes. To this full and comfortable 
 repast succeeded a liberal supply of excellent wine, (whether 
 riiampairiie or Burgundy 1 have not been informed,) pro 
 cured b\- Paddv irom the garrison, to the soul-cheering 
 qualities of which, the increased gavety and jollitv of the 
 company, particularly of the French part of it, soon bore 
 testimony. 
 
 An inclination for dancing soon became the consequence 
 of this overflowing of the spirits ; and, as Paddy possessed
 
 4f) THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 a violin, and belli Vanbraam and he were tolerable perform 
 ers, ihe strings were soon srr( wed to the proper pitch, and 
 away went the merrv Frenchmen to the region? of airiness 
 and joy. 
 
 After becoming somewhat relieved rind composed by th ; - 
 first irregular and vainer violent explosion of their bounding 
 spirits, they proposed a more, civili/eo and rational ; et of 
 danc -s. in which ih.e ladies -hoidd hear a part. A nuuiar 
 cotillon \vas soon tn>! up, i orwhirh -Mr. Washington had 
 the aood fortune to secure Mari;-- as a partner. 
 
 But I will not detain the reader with a foimal description 
 of the amusements of this eaxinij. (hiring which, the noble 
 appearance and accomplished manners o! Washington ren 
 dered him a great i avorite with tlic French ladies, while the 
 uncommon beauty, and the thous; ml (Tacts that sparkled 
 round Maria, excited the unbounded admiration of the oiii- 
 cers. Washing-ion was happy for Maria, studious to gi\e 
 him no car.se of uneasiness, paid him every attention, and 
 spared no pains to render his situation agreeable ; and lie 
 could not but fondly cherish the idea, that if such partiality 
 did not proceed iron: hj\e. !t mi< r ht be brought to end in it. 
 
 Indeed, so poinied was the at entiou which these two 
 voting pe< pL paid , other this evening, that the 
 
 French, bo; 1 . HUM and women, observed it, and became sat 
 isfied that \, ashinffi lit vis ; t was altogether a visit 
 of love. The olbcris. therefore, alih<..Ui:h they were aware 
 of his political standing ;-nd iniluence as their enemy, felt no 
 inclination, at the present lime, to inquire iurlher into his 
 business in their neighborhood. They envied, indeed, his 
 good fortune in making an impression, as they supposed he 
 had done, on the heart of so lovely a heino as Maria, but 
 this was an envy attended rather with a feeling- of felicita 
 tion than of animosity towards him ; for they were persua 
 ded that he Mas vorthy of her. and at that moment felt, 
 perhaps unconsciously, a sincere wish for the welfare of 
 both these interesting objects of their admiration, and would 
 have had no objection to have spent another merry day at 
 Fra/ier s, in order to witness heir union. Joncaire, who 
 was the only one of the French present who could speak 
 English, during the evening took occasion to banter Wash 
 ington on the subject.
 
 THE \V1I.DF.U\ESS. 47 
 
 " 1 think, .Mr. Washington," said he, " that it is in your 
 power to afford us another agreeable day like this, by giving 
 Monsieur d Abbeville another job. Snpposeyou detain us for 
 ! )-inorrow. By my faith, we will take it as agreatkindness." 
 
 " There is nothing more remote from my power at present 
 I assure yon, sir," replied Washington. "I cannot see how 
 von c-ould have fallen upon such a conjecture." 
 
 No conjecture," returned Joncaire, " could be more na 
 tural. Who could look at that young lady without admira 
 tion ? By heavens ! if I were a young fellow like you, I 
 could not nay, pardon me as it is, I cannot and my wife 
 says that she feels the same sentiment towards you. Upon 
 honor, Mr. Washington, if 1 did not see that you are other 
 wise engaged, I should become jealous of yon." See that 
 leering dame of a wife o( mine, she cannot keep her eyes 
 off you." 
 
 " It is yourself, sir, I perceive, that she is looking at," ob 
 served Washington, following the direction of the lady s eyes. 
 " But will you not hurt her feelings by the levity of these ob 
 servations ?" 
 
 " Xo, no." returned the other, " she s too cunning a puss 
 for that. Besides, you may be easy, and speak freely ; for 
 curse the word of what we say will she understand." 
 
 An idea of retorting upon Joncaire, at least of diverting the 
 conversation from its original topic, now occurred to Wash 
 ington. If she is so partial to me," said he, "as yon men 
 tion, you may really bless your stars that you secured her 
 hei ore 1 saw her. tor positively, it she were not the proper 
 ty ol another. I should try to make her my own." 
 
 " lia! ha !" exclaimed the light-hearted Frenchman, there 
 for you now ! 1 knew she had hit yon with her sharp glances, 
 Mr. Washington, although you alledjred that she had cast 
 thi in at me. By heavens ! sir, yon perceive that her eyes 
 are like the ijiuils o[ a porcupine." 
 
 "That is a strange comparison," returned Washington. 
 " I raiher think they are like ihe slars in the firmament." 
 
 iia ! sir. yon aie loo sublime lor me." Here they were 
 interrupted bv l)e \ amploise, who wished them to engage in 
 another dance. 
 
 The sports and pn|ovuiPnin of ihe niyht were kept up
 
 48 THF. \V1M)ERNES9. 
 
 until the moon arose, which was about one o clock in tin. 
 morning, when th<; French departed as gaily as they had 
 come, and a couple of hours found them snugly deposited in 
 their comfortable cauches at Fort Du Qucsne. But before 
 the half of thai period had elapsed, all Gilbert Frazier s in 
 mates, without excepting the bride and bridegroom, were aw 
 comfortably disposed of. 
 
 Washington was up with the dawn, for his heart was far 
 from b j ing at such case as either to invite repose or make it 
 refreshing when it came. 
 
 " Alas " thought he, as he walked out on the margin of 
 Turtle-Creek, "if ibis most, lovely of created beings refuses 
 my love, how wretched 1 shall be! My In art destitute and 
 forlorn, shall bleed at the desolation of its hope ; but it shall 
 be still more miserable at the thought of the troubles and 
 dangers with which, if .she will not leave ibis Wilderness, 
 she will soon be surrounded. War ! shocking and barba 
 rous with savages will ere long penetrate to these wilds ; 
 and Maria, oh, Maria ! how I delisrht to name thee ! Ob, 
 how wilt then escape i s furv! But I will ui iic. I will en- 
 treat, 1 will implore thee to liy with me while there is y^t 
 time, while thou art yet safe, nnd before the coming tempest 
 bursts around thee. Oh, with what eagerness I should march 
 in the ranks of those brave men who shall be sent here to 
 diive the enemies oi my c unury from their usurped fastnesses, 
 it I were .-ure that she who is dearer to me than life, would 
 not siiiier in Hie conflict. i>ui i will prevail ;i her O 
 heaven yra:;t t:;;;t she may consent to become, my own. tint 
 1 mav lodi e lier in a place of saletv." 
 
 [n such contemplations this ardent and illustrious lover 
 spent upwards of an hour. He returned to the house, re 
 solved to watch the first, opportunity that should offer. *o 
 make known to the dear mistress of his affections hi? whole 
 mind his fears his wishes his warmth <>f admiration, 
 and his sincerity of love. 
 
 Maria had risen. lie met her smiiii ii sweetly in all the 
 blooming charms of maiden youlhfulness. ohe was busied 
 preparing breakfast, and as she went through the various 
 movements of household economy required by the occasion, 
 ,he perceived in every turn and every gesture, n gracefulness
 
 THK H II.DEKNESS. 49 
 
 and ca->e, uhieh showed lliat she could rentier any tusk be- 
 eomm<r niid interesting, and that she was peculiarly fitted to 
 preside with dignity, proprielv, and oTaec over -all kinds of 
 domestic concern.- 1 . 
 
 Oh, thai she weio once thn mistress- of my household !" 
 thought her adoring lover; how duubly sweet and delightful 
 would then the shades of Mount Yernon be to me ! It may 
 "; so ; I may yet be so happy ; and the time may not be 
 i ir dist .mi. To-day, lo-day. 1 am resolved I shall ascertain 
 the stale of her feelings. Oh, (lod of heaven ! grant that 
 they m- v he favorable." 1 
 
 !>ut an unforesiv.n circumstance prevented him for thrt day 
 from becoming, as he had resolved, certain on this point. 
 The breastfast had been delayed nearly an hour on account 
 I the bridal n-iir who wer- rai;:<-r tardy in making their ap- 
 ; oarance. At lengt .i they \vere forthcoming, and iMrs. Kil- 
 hreatii covered with blushes, received the salutation? of 
 Washington and the rest of the family ; and cheerfulness ami 
 ifaiety prevailed throughout the conversation, with which 
 Miey seasoned the most comfortable, because generally -he 
 most simple and domestic of all meals, the breakfast. 
 
 This meal, however, \vas scarcely over, when the cheer- 
 ulness and satisfaction of ihe party, especially of Maria, be 
 came overcast, by a message from queen Alliqnippa, with 
 intelligence that she had become suddenly very ill, and was 
 or expected to live many hours ; and that, conscious herself 
 of her approaching end, she had requested to see Maria before 
 -he died. 
 
 Maria immediately s<>t out in obedience to this summon. 
 When she arrive: 1 ! at the wigwam, she found the queen just 
 recovering from a strong convulsive lit which had left her 
 much exhausted. She, was. however, sensible of the pres- 
 enr.e of tier favorite, and pressed her hand in token of the 
 . ati.-l aciion sh" enjoyed from her vi- it. .Maria wept over 
 her, fnr she irilt thatshe was al>o;itto lose for ever one of her 
 dearest, and mn>t vnlned friends. 
 
 !Ier i! : i i seemed irratel ul to llie ijue.en s mind. The vio- 
 
 M-ut trenmrs an.! emotions ii;:il ;initaU:d her nearly exhausted 
 
 inline. =oine--vhai. Mil"-ided ; and the power of arliculation, 
 
 Uiie n appeared to have hecn gone for ever, returned for > 
 
 part , -ind cnabh d her to say -
 
 50 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 a Maria, my daughter, thon an kiml. It plenses me to 
 see that thou iovest rue. But do not grieve too much. Some 
 day thnu wilt follow ihy mother." Here the sounds, aliho 
 continued, could not be distinguished, and the weeping Ma 
 ria replied : 
 
 " My mother ! my ever affectionate and kind mother ! 
 thou art goinir to leave me. I will indeed regret bitterly 
 and long will I regret, thy departure, for thou wert ever good 
 and kind to thy daughter. Oh ! canst thou not bless me he- 
 fore thou goe?t? 
 
 In a faint muimur the queen prayed Oh, Maneto, bless 
 my child!" Immediately the mr.scles of her body beearne 
 slightly agitated with a short-continuing convulsion, during 
 which the soul lied i s frail tenement; and on its subsiding, 
 Alliquippa was found to have returned to her original dust. 
 
 Maria kissed ;!>e cold inanimate lips of her deceased 
 friend, and withdrew in yreat agitation. The Indians, espe 
 cially their females, loudly lamented this public calamity that 
 had befallen their tribe. Alliquippa had indeed been always 
 much beloved by them, for the indulgent, kind, and pannta! 
 manner in which she had at all limes exercised her author 
 ity. For some months past she had intermeddled very iit- 
 very little with public affairs. The French influence in the 
 country, since iheir establishment at Du Quesne, she was 
 unable to resist, and she could not without breaking her faith 
 with the English, join in promoting it. Besides, since the 
 death of kins Shingiss, to whom she had in reality been 
 much ;>U;,Hie.l, she mon than ever haied them as being tin 
 cause of his destruction. Her tone of mind, and s rength 
 of body had ever since that fatal event been gradually and 
 perceptibly declining ; and, although her b:*t mortal attack 
 of sickness was sudden, yet that depression of the spirits, 
 that wasting oi the frame, which, ever since the battle 01 
 Shamapins, had been visible to every ob.-ener, could not fail 
 1o impart the opinion that she was hastening to the world o! 
 spirits, the happy land where the brave and the uprigbt, tht 
 faithful and the vtffectionale. shall meet to enjoy each other .*- 
 society for ever, undisturbed by the .varwhoop. or the sont 
 of slaughter and revenge; where men shall no longer pan 
 for each other s ruin, where no blood shall be shf-d, ever ..
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 51 
 
 liiat of the deer and luillhlo, and warriors shall he proud of 
 ro exploits but the destruction of the wild heasts of the 
 forest. 
 
 When the account of Alliquippa s death reached Frazier s 
 Washington and Paddy set (Hit for the purpose of bringing 
 Maria home. As the latter choosed to remain some time at 
 the wigwam, for the purpose of showing the Indians his re- 
 >pect for their deceased queen, he left the task of conduct 
 ing his sister home altogether to Washington. Had her 
 mind been in its usual state, her lover could not have wish 
 ed for a more favorable opportunity of nu.king known to 
 her his wishes : but his soul was of too delicate a nature to 
 obtrude upon her, in her affliction, that disclosure of his 
 feelings and desires which belonged to make. During their 
 walk, therefore, the conversation chiefly turned upon the his 
 tory and character of ihe deceased. 
 
 "You will not be surprised, Mr. Washington," said Ma 
 ria, " that I feel so much for the loss of this Indian princess, 
 who has been to me ever since my infancy, the most con 
 stant of friends, a companion in pastime, a sister in tender 
 ness, and a mother in affection. By this stroke of fate, I 
 really feel bereaved of a long cherished sonrce of happi 
 ness ." 
 
 " It is, indeed," replied Washington, " a great trial for a 
 sensible and grateful mind to witness the death of a beloved 
 oh:ect. and one too from whose affection it has been accus 
 tomed to derive happiness : and these trials must still he 
 most severely felt in the d;iys of youth, when the frequency 
 of their occurrence ha** not in any manner strengthened the 
 heart against their impression. But. Maria, you know the 
 will of heaven. I need not teach ii you ; it is enough to 
 remind you of it; and what is duty, you are aware, should, 
 nt all times, obtain the pre-eminence over feeling. 
 
 You are right, Mr. Washington," she replied. "I know 
 it is my duty not to repine ai such a dispensation. I there 
 fore do not repine. But it would be unnatural, nay, I be 
 lieve it would be a breach of duty, not to 1 eel for the irrepar 
 able lo.-s of ,-uch a friend." 
 
 To feel is. indeed, natural," said Washington; "nay, 
 not to feel would argue an insensihiltv of heart, unamiable.
 
 52 THE \\ iL0LKNi;sa. 
 
 offensive, and culpable. But you, Maria ah ! you do nut 
 possess this ; but but forgive me I would say, that you 
 should not call this loss irreparable. Providence can repair 
 it tenfold for you. Ah ! Miss Frazier ! you can never want 
 friends. Every one: \viio sees, who hears you but I will 
 nut now talk. so. I wish to say, that I do not blame your 
 manifestation of feeling on this occasion. Nay, it pleases 
 me to behold it. I esteem you the more for it. Oh, Maria, 
 Maria! I would have you to consider me as one who lias 
 never seen any thing connected with you but what he must 
 esteem, and " 
 
 " Mr. Washington," said slip, interrupting him, I will 
 be candid and confess that I believe you esteem me even more 
 than I deserve. C ; .it you are not acquainted with all my 
 weakness of heart, my lraih\ of disposition, and shall 1 add, 
 the errors into which T am conscious of having fallen " 
 
 Accuse no! thyself unjusiiv," said a voice behind ihern. 
 They turned round, and beheld Tonnaleuka. " Child, accuse 
 not thyself unjustly," continued the prophet ; I know every 
 action of thy life; I know each affection of thy heart: nay, 
 I know almost the verv thoughts of thy soul; and I know 
 thou art as innocent and pr.re as the nature of thv species 
 will permit ; and hear me. maiden, if there be on earth a 
 being of human origin who can mati h ihee in purity and 
 excellence, it is the youth who now stands by thy side." 
 
 "Prophet!" SHU! Washington, li I pretend not to " 
 
 " Hear me, my sou !" interrupted the pronhei. for I am 
 sent for, and must, in h.-^le, go to conduct thr- obsequies of 
 the queen whom this maiden deservedly loved as a mother. 
 I know something of mankind even in the state you call civi 
 lization: and i know somethmg of you, and can compare 
 you with your brethren, and if I shonid ascribe to you moio 
 qualifications than puriiv ; if 1 sh,n>jd ascribe to YOU pru 
 dence, courage, humanity, greatness ufmui, and true love 
 for your fellow-men, and all these in as Wgh a degree as ever 
 man possessed, I would not ascribe them wrongfully ; and 
 ii heaven spares ihee to thv country, the opinions of man 
 kind will confirm mv words. 
 
 " My son, hear further. 1 would caution theo to protect 
 thv heart. I know it to he in d.uiger of suffering the pangs
 
 THI. WII.UKRN ESS. 53 
 
 ui disappointment. Beauty and worth may inflict a wound 
 which liiey cannot euro. Adieu my children !" So saying, 
 Tonualeuka hastily proceeded towards the wigwam, leaving 
 AYas iin^ton and Maria greadv struck with the plainness and 
 oi aeular abruptne.-s of his language and manner. 
 
 "Alas!" ejaculated Washington, almost unconscious that 
 A! aria heard in.n, he know.-, loo well the state of my hean ! 
 but what can be the danger to wine;: he alludes? Dissapoint- 
 m<: iit ! ah?, it may be so ; I may not he capable of inspiring 
 her with but, Miss Frazier ! " said lie suddenly recollect 
 ing him. i am raying, forgive me my concerns I will not. 
 obtrude upon you this evening, as yon may be desirous of 
 d voting it (o sorrow for your lost friend. Let me only en- 
 : hat you will not indulge the softness of <n;j of to the in- 
 |-.ry ui your health; and. that in reflecting upon one lost 
 i: end, von will remember that there are many yet left you." 
 
 I thank you, Mr. Washington," said ;>he, for the coti- 
 s lm<, r idea : and shall l>e careful to bear the goodness of God 
 to me in this respect constantly in mind, so thai instead of 
 iiiu a 1 mv lot, I trust I will be enabled to ( eel yrate- 
 
 Amidst .such discourse, the road to Frazier s house was 
 OM passed over, and Maria retired for the rest of the eve- 
 no io ner apartment. Here, after lontr meditating upon the 
 ii iiiiship and the worth of Aliiquippa, her thoughts fondly 
 irned \ijion (Miarle- Adderly. the wnnnih, the fervor, the 
 ithl idness. the desdt. docss of his passion for her, the eon- 
 .-iousuess of which had n.ow become thi; ureat solac<- ol her 
 
 i u-nlitied itself with ;d! her feelings. 
 
 "Oil, Charb-s!" she exciaiine l in the fervor of her inedi- 
 t !tious upon him, " while thon liyest I know I shall never 
 I : ilestitiite of a friend. Oh, heaven ! protect this object of 
 ) iy first and only love for if he were snatched from me, 
 liien then should I indeed be miserable!" 
 
 Her n-tieetions next reverted to Washington. " 1 cannot 
 : ul peici:ive, " thoiit bt .she, " tiiat this excellent young man 
 iovc-s me. If, indeed, it were (lod s will i should wish 
 iiat it were otherwise, for, although I may esteem, I may 
 idmiie, his numerous and engaging accomplishments and
 
 54 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 eminent virtues, yet I cannot leturn him love for love. Mi 
 heart cannot he his: it is too sincerely and exclusively given 
 up to another. Oh Washington. Washington ! for thy own 
 sake, excellent, admirahle young mun ! how fervently do i 
 wish that tlion wouldst fix thy affections upon one who couhi 
 return them for thou art worthy of being beloved alas, I 
 know it, and yet I cannot love thee. 
 
 She would then reflect upon the transitory nature of nil 
 human enjoyments, cares, and feelings. 
 
 " How happy did I long feel," she would say, in the pos 
 session of the parental affections of that kind and aimiahl" 
 being who is now no more. Never more will she smile 
 upon me, and press me to her bosom ; never more shall ! 
 listen to the \\ords of instruction, to the lessons of virtue, 
 that flowed from her lips ! Alas ; those lips, and the warn 
 heart that beat in that bosom, are now cold and insensible 
 and will soon mingle wiih their kindred earth. Never more 
 will they feel the glow of affection, or utter the words o 
 kindness. Never more will they contrive benefits lor me, 
 or speak comfort to my soul. But why do I say never? ! 
 there not another, and a happier world, wherein faiihfu. 
 friends, who are thus separated, are destined again to nice; 
 and enjoy each other s society for ever? Yes, thanks to tin 
 great Deity, there is such a world 1 .My departed I rieiu 
 beleived it Tonnaleuka believed it my parents have taught 
 me to believe it the sacred oracles of our faith confirm it 
 the heavens, and the earth, ;md the whole face of nature show 
 it nnd ail our harassed feelings, our disappointments, am 
 misfortunes ; our bereavements, our pains, and our sorrow." 
 of this world, nil find consolation and solace in the ides 
 Glory to God for it! I will cherish, I will dwell upon thf 
 sweet reflection, and anticipate, even here, !he delights of a 
 future existence ! " 
 
 In this manner did Maria spend this evening ; while Wash 
 ington endeavored to divert the anxiety which the obviou 
 import of Tonnaleuka s oracular expressions occasioned i; 
 his mind, by trying to explain it away, or at least to attach 
 to it such a degree of uncertainty as might still keep open 
 the door for hope. 
 
 The prophet says, that I am in danger of suffering ih
 
 THK WILDERNESS. ;>;> 
 
 p:;,!gs of dissapointment, thought he. But he may not mean 
 ; . kind ill dissapointmenl which I most dread ; he may 
 not mean the disappointment of that, devoted love I bear i or 
 il is young woman. Or, it lie does mean ii, how can ho 
 know the revolutions of the female heart? He mav be aware, 
 or may imagine, and perhaps, alas ! too trulv, that, she does 
 n ( a! present love me. lint surely, if this he even so, I 
 nny stiil hope for some in>od ;o -/.rise from my assiduities, 
 from the fervency and fidelity of my passion, of which it 
 ii usi now he my study to convince her. She has a good 
 In -an. and will not bear to see me draw out a life of contin- 
 i (1 misery, when ii is in her power to relieve me. I will 
 trust in Providence, and hope that He who m.oveth all hearts, 
 will turn hers towards me. 
 
 The next day. Washington attended to witness the funeral 
 ot Alliquippa. She was dressed in the full costume; to which 
 she was accustomed in the days of her urealest olory. All 
 the <rreat men and warriors, together with a numerous com 
 pany of the females of her tribe \\ere p resent: and her stic- 
 ( ssor, who was named Susquelooma, a near relation of 
 Swannlow her husband, and who had for .-ome time past, 
 been entrusted with the management of the public affairs, 
 a tended as chief mourner. 
 
 The bier on which :-he was carried to the "rave, consist- 
 ( ! of two long pules, joined together bv a imle structure 
 of wicker-work, covered with leaves. Tonnaleiika, as ihe 
 prophet ol the tribe, walked before the procession, with his 
 sacred wand extended forward. The corpse followed, and 
 close to it the chief mourner; thon came ihe sages and elders 
 of the tribe, and then the older and more celebrated warri 
 ors ; alter them, the younger and le.-s celebrated, all m pair*. 
 ! he females ol the tribe then succeeded, also in pairs, taking 
 precedence according to their a^e, or rather according to the 
 < rder of Tonnaleiika, who had arranged tin; whole proceed 
 ing. Washington, and those- of Gilbert Frazier s family 
 who attended, closed the procession. 
 
 They had about half a mile to go to the burial ground, 
 
 vhich was a little way up the side of a hill fronting the 
 
 outheast, not far from Turtle Crek. Here they dug a grave 
 
 in such a form, that when the body was lowered in il, ihe
 
 50 THK VVILDEHNKSS. 
 
 feet were considerably lower down than the head ; and as it 
 was turned somewhat upon its right side with the face to 
 ihe rising sun, it appeared to lie in a gently reclining, rather 
 than a horizontal posture. 
 
 When the procession reached this lost abode of mortality, 
 and placed the bier with the corpse upon it alongside of the 
 grave, Tonnaleuka, waving his wand in the air, addressed 
 the assembly. 
 
 "Brothers and sisters, before you commence your funeral 
 dance, be-fore .you convey your beloved queen into her last 
 dwelling, and -sine over her the song of your sadness, listen 
 to my words. 
 
 " You appear all to be healthy just now. and full of life, 
 and many of YOU. no doubt, promise yourselves the eniov- 
 rwnt of a long existence for "here -ji\: many of you yet 
 youn.<_-. But iisir- i to me. What avails health, or youth. 
 or the full tide, of flowing Mood, when ,Maneio says you 
 must die . Then disc iso or accident, or perhans the hatchet 
 of war, does its duty: and then we return, as the queen out- 
 sister has done, our bodies to ihr earth of which th< v were 
 mad-?, and our souls to the (irea 1 . Spirit who made them iu 
 a manner he has not revealed to us. Why, then, should 
 we be proud of this life, or seek to render any of our feliow- 
 mortals, who may enjoy its transitory existence, miserabl" 
 Alas ! listen to me. The existence is but transitory, whe 
 ther it he of joy or misery, that we can experience here. 
 She who lies there. I have seen young, happy, admired, 
 and beloved. Many of you have also seen her so. Think 
 of^it, brothers and sisters : does it not appear as if it were 
 but yesterday ? But look at her now ! Where are the 
 smiles which drew warriors after her? where are the gra 
 ces which captivated counsellors and chiefs? where is that 
 dignity of mien, and that authority of expression, which both 
 men and women delighted to obey? Alas! they are to her 
 as if they had never been, and to us their existence is like a 
 shadow, passing only through our recollection, as if we had 
 but seen it in a dream ! Such will be the fate of the serra 
 tions of all here nay, of all mankind ! We are but the 
 insects of a day the fleeting hour of sunshine passes the 
 night, of death comes, and we are no more. So rapid, and 
 of such little consequence, is our present existence.
 
 THK WII.DKKVESS. 57 
 
 " But listen to me, brothers and sisters. The manner in 
 whi -h we use that existence is of consequence. And why? 
 ]Jer:.i:-e there is anotho>\ and one to which we must imme 
 diate lv proceed, and receive the reward of bliss or of wo. as 
 we have here earned it. 
 
 !/<ti it arain ! Ye eric 1 , e for Alliquippa ye think she 
 
 hr>- been unfortunate, in being- thus separated from you whom 
 
 oved to reside amonir. But hear me she lias been for- 
 
 ie in the transition, because she wa- virtuous, and o-ood- 
 
 henrted, and did her dutv, and for those things her spirit is 
 
 now p.:. , ivmn- a glorious recompense from the Almio-hty 
 
 Ma. .eto! 
 
 - Then, brothers and sisters, what I would now advise 
 you ti> do. is this When yon think of her who lies here, 
 let it he to imitate her \ir!ues. You will never then have 
 c e to tear the approach of death i:ay, the sooner he 
 co| es. it will he the bctier for von. as yon will thereby the 
 pooler obtain the reward of your ;yood eondect from the 
 jus ice of the Creat Father, who will th fi n receive you into 
 hi.= f;iv<w. 
 
 >o\v. brothers and sisters, you may perform your so- 
 lernnitics, and bury your qu^en. I so to worship the Great 
 Fath. r." 
 
 -I Mivinsr, he waved his wand three times towards hea- 
 \ f. i. iilcssed the assembly, and departed. 
 
 Susquelooma now look upon him the direction of the 
 pr cei dings, niid the death-dance was immediately eom- 
 nif need. It consisted in all the warriors marchinof. ono 
 aft r the other, in an extremely slow and solemn u:ait, some- 
 what like that adopted at, military funerals in Europe, nine 
 til: es round the bier, each warrior as he came to ir. pausing 
 io -pread hi* arms over the. corpse, and then raising them 
 mi ! in- face to heaven, as if to say. " Here on earth is the 
 \>< i\ . I M 1 there in heaven is the soul :" then tnrnmsv quickly 
 iij >n !iis heel, and dra.win^ both hands siowlv from his heart, 
 > reorcseiit the disunion ol soul and body, he clasped them 
 :M in lirmly within each oilier as he moved away, in order 
 to -how that they should lie airain nni ed. 
 
 The body was now lowered into the orave, into which 
 the leg; of a deer, the winu of a dove, a pair of moccasins,
 
 58 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 and a sirinir of beads, too-etlier with some twigs oi spit- 
 wood and leaves of the spruce-pine, were also thrown. 
 
 Susquc-looma and se\er;d oilier chiefs then chaunted the 
 death-song, which Tonnaleuka had on this occasion prepa 
 red for them. It. was, as nearlv as 1 can versify it in < r 
 lainniaoe. as follows. Jhirmir its sinking, a number of the 
 warriors proceeded 10 cover the body with earth in the 
 usual manner. 
 
 , h), Indian Funeral-Song, 
 
 We lav her in carlh whom our sad hour s deplore, 
 Where the dust of her lathers \\as burifd !>o;bre, 
 And where, in our turns, we shuil all of us lie. 
 Kre \vo pass to our sires in the regions of ji>v 
 
 We lay he.- low hereshe whose charms could 
 The hearts of the warrior, the sachem, and sao 
 Ah ! think of her no\v, ail ve \ali;uit and u ::y, 
 The charmer of hearts is a cold piece oi clay ! 
 
 How orient were the virtues that iriow d in her hrcast 
 
 How sweet was the kindness ner visasre e\pr 
 
 But ye of hor trihe. ye Shannoahs, deplore. 
 She who rul- d you with Jove, no\v wili rule you no more : 
 >)h ! remember her lonfr and v, ith tears in your eyes, 
 As ve pass, strew with spice-wo od the ground where she li> 
 
 The sou-growing spiee-wood is sweet to the smell, 
 
 The evergreen pine-leaves will constancy tell- 
 
 Then both we shall scatter as tokens, to provi 
 
 That the sweets of hor mem rv we ever shall lo\ 
 
 The body being now covered, and the grave filled wi 
 earth, a heap of stones was piled upon it, in order to mar 
 it out, so that any oi her tribe passing by, mio-ht know whe 
 to pay the customary honors to the remains of one who h: 
 been long beloved and respected amongst them. The pn 
 cession then returned to Susquelooraa s wigwam, where
 
 THE \VILDKUiNKSS. .) .* 
 
 was dispersed, and Washington look his way, with Paddy, 
 Arehy, and Dr. Killbreath, to Fra/ier s. 
 
 A iaria liad not gone to the funeral, as she conceived that, 
 witnessing the solemnities would only have exposed her 
 spirits, which were now beginning to recover their tone, to 
 a I d sh and unnecessary depression. It was not, however, 
 until the afternoon o( the iollowiny day, tliat Washington 
 too!- occasion to make to her an open avowal of his scnti- 
 rnenis and wishes lie asked her to walk out, with him 
 aloni;- the hank of the river, as doino- so miyht tend to re- 
 nio\ i. that detrree of melancholv whieli still evidently per- 
 vad"d he.r mind. She readily complied, and they set onl 
 her. 
 
 ! was one of those premature spring davs which some- 
 , in 1 ennsylvania. enliven the irenerallv severe inontli 
 iarcli, and from their novelty, together with the lair i acc 
 of verdant nature which they disclose just unveiled from the 
 ioiiL! protracted ceverinu oi winter s snow, make a ramble, 
 ior a short distance, very inviting and agreeable. On this 
 occasion, Wasliington and his fair companion felt (heir hearts 
 warmed and expanded as they beheld the symptoms of revi 
 ving nature; that bloomed around them, although they were 
 con-eions that before 1 the spring should really set in, storms 
 of \vmtrv fierceness would a (rain overcast anil deform the 
 fair lace of things, and nip in the bud the younj>- plant that, 
 lion- rashly attempted to peep forth, and leave; it in a blasted 
 and undone state to repent its temerity. 
 
 Vashington intentionally directed their steps towards the 
 walnut-tree beneath whose hiv.nches he hud first stopped to 
 <;a/e upon those, charm.-* that had been fated to make such an 
 im ,>resion upon his heart. 
 
 Here, Maria," said lie, when they arrived at the spot, " is 
 ihc place where; 1 first hchelel you ; and from that moment 
 to his. the 1 linage that was impressed on my mind has never 
 toi emc instan! lelt it Ah! never, never \vdl it lea\ e it! 
 
 Air. Washington," said she, "1 hesitate not to credit 
 yei ir assertion ; lor 1 know that your mind is superior to the 
 common custom in which the 1 yay part of your sex, I am in- 
 fonncd, induce themselves, of seizinjr all occasions to (latter 
 niirs, even often at the expense of truth. \nd bc<-:m..r 1 be-
 
 OU 1HK WlLLKRNi,33. 
 
 lieve you, and esteem you so sincerely as to feel an ardent 
 desiie fur your welfare, I will candidly, say that I am sorr- 
 you should have viewed me in the light you have. " 
 
 " O Maria! " lie interrupted her, "do not use these chili- 
 ing expressions. Hu\v can you, it you esteem me, and wis i 
 for my welfare, regret litat which hus afforded me the swec- 
 est sensations of my life ! that which, although it has, imiee< . 
 occasioned me many hours- ul painful anxiety, lias, never 
 theless, been -lie delight of my existence, the sacred chan.i 
 which lias ofien buoyed my hopes into rapture, and present 
 ed to my enamored view the iovelv vision of felicity which 
 it might be my lot to enjoy ! Oh Maria, do not say you ai\; 
 sorrv for this, ! " 
 
 . \ias! Mr. AYa^iiinuL.iu:" sin.- replied, "if i respecter 
 you less, 1 mi<_ ht feel less sorrow on thus subject. But \0 
 de*er\e to be happv, and to make vou so. the woman < : 
 your choice should be capable of loving you with an ardo,- 
 equal to your own with an order of which I feel, and ma- 
 forc\<-r feel, myself incapable. In short, sir, it is my eai 
 nest wish that yon should bestow upon a more suitable ob 
 ject, those affections of which I run but too conscious 1 aj;. 
 not worth} . 
 
 Not \\oriiiy! he exclaimed; "not worthy my affec 
 tions ! Ail, then, what woman on earth can be worthy o 
 them. Oh, Maria! I have seen, I have been acquainted 
 with many females; and i! i were to make, in your heai- 
 iuo-. the comparison which my fancy has often formed be- 
 t\\.-en you and the fairest, the best of them, your modest; 
 would not tolerate it. You would not listen to me you 
 would command me to be silent. Alas ! to draw the pic 
 ture which my imagination has formed of your person am. 
 your virtues, would excite your incredulity, and subject in 
 to the suspicion of insincerity. But with you, with none, 
 will 1 ever be insincere. Oh! if vou cannot 
 
 "Sir," said she, 1 must inUMTiipt you. If I though 1 
 you could be insincere in any of your professions, I would 
 abandon every good opinion I have hitherto had of man 
 kind. I must, therefore, believe that you do entertain tin- 
 exaggerated and erroneous opinion of my good qualities 
 which vou mention. But this is owing- to the generous im-
 
 IHli WlLDEKJSEhS. 61 
 
 pulse of your nature, which has led >ou astray, and induced 
 yo i to give me credit i or excellence* which I do not pos 
 sess. Permit me to say. that you do not know me sufli- 
 CH utlv to judire of me accurately. It you diil, it might 
 relieve us both of much uneasiness. \ on would see the 
 necessity of forming a better choice; and, because 1 know 
 tii; it would contribute to Your happiness., I should rejoice 
 th; i } t.ui had done so. 
 
 Maria! he exclaimed --Oh. tantalizing girl! Another 
 ch )ic". u;; 1 V.HJ sa\ ! No: let heavn hear me! I swear 
 111:1:. unless \hou dost peremptorily and finally refuse to be 
 mine. I .shall never form another choice : a;.id even then. 
 :id that ever be, whicii heaven f<.-rnid, my choice mav 
 be ihe diciate of duty, but ]. nc\er shall be impelled to il \>v 
 tii warm, that irresistible, feeling of heart and soul, which 
 ur-es me to sue thee to become the partner of my l<.\c.-, the 
 ini>tri.ss of my fortune, the fondly-cherished wife of my bo- 
 soi i. the dear, the sweet source of all my earthly happiness. 
 O. M ria ! \vih tnou not vieM to it? wiit tho*: not become 
 mine . This Wilderness is :in unfit " 
 
 AJ i. \ \ . Hit. i must 
 
 sp -i\e sou or or raiher to remind von, that 
 
 I r.e alreadv said 1 can feel j or von everything but love. 
 Al:.s! ihat tiiai alone is imr-ossii;iv and \vilhout love, how 
 co-ild i a-sent to the proposals witli which you honor me ? 
 NI>, ,-ir, 1 \vill subuiii i; to your own feelings without my 
 heart, would mv hand be wor lit:" . " 
 
 Time, time, mv sweeiesi. of maidens ! crieci iier l<>ver; 
 "Pine ;.nd my long-continued anxious assiduities, would ex- 
 ci .. your gratitude; my sufferings (>n \our account. oh! 
 th } nmst surely excite your pitv, and gratitude and pitv 
 \\ uid soon produce love. Oh, .Maria ! you would not be 
 he L r so cold, so indifterent, so cruel towards one so devoted 
 to \(>u, a< ,(ui expect. You could not it is not in vour 
 n; i: ire " 
 
 Ah, sir!" said she. "you know not, you cannot know, 
 in feelings on this subject. You may charo e me with cru 
 el; 1 / alas ! sir, 1 am not cruel. That 1 feel pity for you 
 jut now, heaven is my witness; but that I never can feel 
 lo P, heaven also knows."
 
 04 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 Maria, you talk mysteriously," cried he. "Indeed, my 
 love, I cannot understand you. You pity me. and you will 
 never love me! But, enchanting maiden, although you say 
 it, I will hope against it; and trust that time will soften, your 
 heart, and dispose it towards " 
 
 " jNever, never! I cannot be " she exclaimed, evident 
 ly much agitated. 
 
 " Oh ! use not these cruel words," said he, interrupting 
 her affectionately; "I will not ask you at present to be 
 mine. 1 will have hope I will have patience. But, oh! 
 fly this Wildernes, my beloved, for there will soon be no 
 safety for you here. Oh, Maria ! this circumstance is at 
 present the jrreal, the immediate object, of my solicitude ! 
 The legions of a powerful nation will soon carry their thun 
 ders into this forest to root their enemies out of it. The 
 conflict will be dreadful: and oh! to what accidents wilt 
 thou not be then exposed . If tliou wilt not 11 y from peril 
 as my wife, let us persuade the whole of thy friends also to 
 go. I will yield them .shelter. I will bestow upon them 
 comfort and abundance in a pleasant asylum, where thou, 
 whose safety is more dear to me than the air I breathe, wilt 
 have nothing to fear from the evils of war." 
 
 "!Shy she replied, "you are kind and generous; but i; 
 is your nature, and does not surprise me for what virtue 
 could you display that would surprise me! ^ et 1 wouh; 
 not do mvself justice, if I did not, express my gratitude lor 
 the friendly solicitude and liberality which has dictated thi 
 proposal: but 1 cannot see that my father s family are in 
 such danger as to induce their removal from a place where 
 they ha\e so loner resided, and where they have ofien, in the 
 worst of times, of late years, experienced safety." 
 
 "The war that is now threatened," observed Washing 
 Jon, " will be quite different in its extent and consequences 
 from any they have yet seen: and as the sa\age tribes thai 
 will be entrao-ed in it art 1 much exasperated against every 
 thing- British, no doubt its ferocitv will be ereatly aggrava 
 ted beyond anything that has yet arisen from former wars 
 in this country. Your family will, therefore, be more ex 
 posed than formerly. Ah ! Miss Krazier, I indeed tremble 
 for your safety, unless you can be prevailed on to leave thl- 
 place hrf ore rhp bloodv <T,I commences.
 
 THK WILDERNESS. 63 
 
 "Mr. Washington," she replied, "peculiarly circurnstan- 
 r- il as my i athor s family is in respect to all the parties who 
 iikely to cnsrasre in the war you anticipate, I do not, sup 
 pose, that, unless some of them take an active part in the 
 Hi.arrc u there is much danger of our being molested. \\ ith 
 tin? French and Indians we are now on terms of intimacy. 
 Our feelings and affections are with the English, it is true, 
 and the French may suspect this,. yet so long as we join 
 neither party, 1 think that neither will injure us. But you 
 may lay your proposal for our removal before my father. 
 With his determination in this matter I must ofcour.se com 
 ply; but your solicitude on my account must be kept alto 
 gether out of view." 
 
 " 1 will try this expedient," said he; 1 may prevail with 
 \ our father, and by this means have the satisfaction of seeu- 
 rm<r your safelv, to effect which was the great object of my 
 present visit to the Wilderness." 
 
 Maria a<jain expressed her thanks lor his solicitude in her 
 behalf. They then returned to the house, and Washington 
 soon found an opportunity of laying his proposal before 
 1 ra/ier. 
 
 (Gilbert hud long enjoyed so much .safety amidst the vari 
 ous tribes of warring Indians, and felt himself at the present 
 fine, so secure in the friendship of both the English and 
 1 rench, in the event of the war of which Washington spoke, 
 t. kin place, that with the strongest expressions of gratitude 
 to that gentleman for his o-enerous oiler, he declined accept 
 ing it, and refused to remove. 
 
 "(Jod has aye been gracious to me," said he, in reply to 
 Washington s reasoning, "since 1 cam 1 into thir backwoods ; 
 ;MI though a ye represent in sae freen ly a manner mav be 
 t ne, yet I wunna noo mistrust his providence; for ye ken 
 boo the prophet reprimanded the godly Asa for trusting in 
 tue strength o Egypt an no in the arm o the Lord." 
 
 In addition to the piety of Gilbert, the wishes of Wash- 
 i igton were, in this instance, opposed by the policy of 
 I addy, who observed that if they even should consent to 
 remove, it would, under present circumstances, be. impos- 
 Mble to do so without the knowledge of the French, who 
 would inevitabl revent them.
 
 " The day we should attempt it," said lie, -you may reh 
 on it, a troop of horse, and a tribe of Indians, at the very 
 least, would surround UP, and force us to take up our abode, 
 not in our own dwelling airain, it is true, but in Fort Du 
 Quesne : so that all we should gain by the attempt would 
 be to make them enemies who are now our friends. ISo," 
 he added in a whisper to Washington. I think we can be 
 of more service to the British cause by remaining here, and 
 keeping on good terms with their enemies, for then, you 
 know, the opportunity for a little stratagem in Avar may be 
 more conveniently watched." 
 
 Washington finding that he could not prevail on the fam 
 ily to accede to his wishes, and feeling that his duty to his 
 country required his immediate return to Virginia, resolved. 
 before his departure, to do all that remained in his power i<? 
 oiled for tiie safety of his beloved, when he should be far 
 distant, by informing Tonnaleuka of the approaching dan 
 gers, and obtaining from him a promise to be her protector. 
 That very evening Paddy Fra/ier procured him an inter 
 view with the prophet, who seemed to enter into his views 
 on the subject more fullv and readily than either Gilbert or 
 Paddy. 
 
 "My son," said Tonnaleuka, when Washington had 
 made his statement, "1 know there will be an alarming 
 time in this quarter, and I fear that that young woman will 
 be peculiarly exposed. But make your mind easy. I will 
 think of your generosity towards her and her friends, and 
 shall not be less solicitous for their safety than yourself. 
 Hers, in particular, you may be assured I shall watch over 
 with all the anxiety and care you can wish. Ah, sir! think 
 you I can be indifferent to the fate of her who has grown up 
 from her infancy to what you now see her, under my tuition 
 and care ! Be satisfied, 1 will protect her as I would the 
 apple of my eye." 
 
 "Give me one more promise, my father, and 1 shall be 
 satisfied," said Washington : " promise me that if thy power 
 should fail short in prolei-iiuo her, for thy will I do not dis 
 trust, thoii wilt give me the speediest intelligence of what 
 ever misfortune may befall her, so that no time mav be lo- t 
 IT fore 1 r-nn flv in her deliverance."
 
 fHK WILDERNESS. ("to 
 
 "1 promise thee this," replied the prophet. And since 
 thy coumrv will soon need thee much, go now. attend to 
 her c:dl, and take my blessing with thee, and may bea\en 
 preserve thc. c lonu lor the benefit of millions !" 
 
 Thank thee, lather, and farewell!" replied the hero, 
 and ihev separated. 
 
 The next morninir Washington hade a tender adieu to 
 Maria, and. accompanied bv Vanbraam, left her abode with 
 ;; heavy and anxious heart, and pursued his way to Mount 
 \ ernon. wliere he arrived in about two weeks, without 
 meeting with any accident. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 \\ h:it! shall the iocs whom oft our arms have humbled, 
 
 \o\v iriuiiipli o er us with impunity, 
 
 And scorn tli;it power at which thev oft have trembled ! 
 
 i\(i, no, liv heavens ! we arc as brave as ever, 
 
 And soon the proud destroyers of our brethren 
 
 S!i;il! fee! tint wo lia\e \ve:ipons to avenge them. 
 
 SAVELAHOUK. 
 
 Tin-: intelligence ol (Jharles Adderly s second defeat, and 
 r c; establishment of the French in the tort at the head of the 
 < Uiio, hud reached the Atlantic cities, and excited a "Teat I er- 
 n, cut over all the country east of the Allegheny mountains, 
 Si vera! weeks before Washington s second visit to the \Vil- 
 c;< mess. It was indeed the anxiety for Maria s safety which 
 ti ;.-, iiiieilun iice natur.ilix occasioned, aiul the anticipation of 
 tl e, iiation.il war which he. saw would be hastened on by this 
 a ;uir, that acceleiaied his visit ere the winter was over; for 
 h- had not, at first, calculated on paying it until the sprini: 
 opened, in order that, if Maria consented to accompany him
 
 66 I JIK WILDERNESS. 
 
 to \ irgmia. the slate of the country, tin 1 weather, and tht 
 roads would he better adapted lor travelling. Before he set 
 out lor the .\ ildorness, his exertion and influence tended 
 much to excite his native colony to take the lead in those ac 
 tive measures which were about to be adopted for tho inllic- 
 tioi? of British vengeance upon the F-vnch ; ; j!.rressors : and 
 when he returned to Mount Version, he had the satisiaetion to 
 find that the regiment of four hundred regulars had been 
 raised by the authority of the Virtrinia Legislature, for the 
 express purpose of proceeding against ti:r; enemy as soon as 
 the season would permit. Of this regiment lie had himselt 
 received the commission of lieutenant-colonel ; one Mr. Fr\ , 
 a military gentleman, supposed to be well acquainted with 
 Indian aii airs, having been appointed Colonel. 
 
 Hostilities were not vet formally declared between Britain 
 and France: but the British secretary of state haiLwritH U in 
 guYi i^or Dm w id die that his cabinet considered the atUirk ot 
 the French upon the Oiiio Company s people, and tlieii for 
 tifying themselves in l)u Q lesnc as equivalent to the com 
 mencement of hostilities on their part; and therefore his ma 
 jesty s colonies should conceive themselves a; full liberty to 
 attack and drive off the aggressors by any means in their 
 power. 
 
 In consequence of this authority, Dinwiddie indulged the 
 zeal of young Washington, who earnestly solicited perm is 
 sion to march against i)u Quesne as soon as the country wa.- 
 fit to be travelled. His chief inducement for this ur^enc) 
 was, that by information he hail received from Paddy Frazier. 
 he kuew the French works at l)u Quesne were yet incom 
 plete, but were every day getting stronger, and as soon a- tin 
 season opened, the garrison expected to receive from ( ana 
 da a strong reinforcement of its force. If the early part oi 
 the season should therefore be permitted to pass away with 
 out attacking the French, the probability was that they would 
 soon become in all respects, so strengthened, as to set an; 
 force the colony could send against them, at defiance. 
 
 Washington was extremely anxious for the capture ol tin 
 fort, for many reasons ; but the one which operated, perhap.- 
 the most powerfully upon his heait, was, the ide-i that In 
 such an event, ihe seat of war might be kept nt a distanc-
 
 IMF WH.DKRVKSS. b 7 
 
 !rom the residence of Maria Le Bcenff, Presqu isle, and tlie 
 plains of Canada, would then become the theatre of conton- 
 i on ; while, by possessing !)u Quesne, its neighborhood would 
 
 i njoy traii(]uility, as too much enjoyment would be jjivun 
 the enemy in the country oi tin 1 St. Lawrence, to allow them 
 cither leisure or means to disturb that of the Ohio. 
 
 True policy also called tor the promptitude of action which 
 iie recommended, as a small force might now accomplish what 
 in tin; lapsee of only a low weeks, a formidable army might 
 find impossible. 
 
 if you wish to drive the French from Fort Du Quesjie," 
 aid he, in a memorial to the governor; " if you wish to save 
 our border settlers from the depredation and horrors which 
 >.vaye allies of our enemy meditate against them as soon 
 s tin; season will permit their eruptions, you will attempt it 
 without delay. Time parses on, the day fast approaches when 
 the Indians will strike their winter lent:?, and prepare for war 
 and devastation. The enemy which supports and encourages 
 them to mischief, is every day strengthening himself; while 
 he is yet weak, the means YOU can already command, may 
 drive him from his strong-hold, afar from our borders, and 
 ouipel the barbarous tribes, who do his bidding 1 , to remain 
 jinetlv in their own forests, without daring to search tor hu- 
 irui victims upon our frontiers. 
 
 " if on the oMier hand, you delay till the fort on the Ohio 
 is completed, and until it shall be filled with troops and 
 stores from Canada, the favorable moment will have departed 
 for ever, and the power of a nation may not then be able to 
 do what could now lie done by that of a colony." 
 
 lu consequence of these representations, Col. Washington 
 was authorized to proceed, about the middle of April, with 
 nhout two hundred regulurs and some militia, with all possi 
 ble dispatch, to attack Fort \)\i Quesne, if he found it advi 
 sable, with that f irc" ; if not, he was to throw up entrench 
 ments a:id wait the arrival of Col. Fry, with the remainder 
 o! iiiean.iv, wlr: would hasten after him as soon as it should 
 be read" for marching. l>v this measure, it was expected 
 thai if the French could not be driven from this station, the 
 hostile Indians would at lea>t be overawed into tranquility : 
 and any of the tribe.- that still fell a predilection for the Kng- 
 li^h, r ncouratred to declare themselves.
 
 f.S I HI \VII.nK.R\K<5<=. 
 
 The young hero lost no time in availing himself of this 
 permission, and something less than two weeks found him 
 encamped at a place called the Great Meadows, a few inius 
 eastward of the Laurel Hill. Here finding an eligible posi 
 tion, he determined to erect a fort, for the purpose of pro 
 tecting his horse and provisions, and also of securhur a retreat 
 for his men in case of disaster. This strength, from the 
 liasie and circumstances under which it was erected, he called 
 " Fort, Necessity." 
 
 \\ hile his soldiers were employed at this work, bein<_ r anx 
 ious, to ascertain the real condition and strength of the French 
 garrison, and whether they were apprised of his approach, 
 he set out on foot, accompanied by Vanbraam, both drest :] s 
 Indians, in order to reconnoitre their position. When he ar 
 rived at Turtle Creek, he found that Paddy Frazier had just 
 come that very day from J)u Quesne, and was therefore able to 
 give him all the information he could wish. The circum 
 stances he reported, however, wer3 not very encouraging. 
 The ciivumvaliation of the Fort was not indeed entirely fin 
 ished on the sides towards the rivers, nor had lii: 1 garris MI 
 yet received any ordinance from Le Pcruf: but a day or two 
 before a re-inforcement of nearly live hundred men had de- 
 :-c!-v>.ded the Alleghany river, and a h.rge supply of cannon 
 an d other warlike stores from Canada was reported to be on 
 its way, und daily expected. 
 
 Wiih respect to Washington s approach and intentions, 
 Paddy rather believed that the French were yet ignorant. At 
 all events, he had heard nothing said of thorn while he was 
 in the garrison, but he proposed to return the next morning, 
 and by some means to make himself more certain on the 
 subject. 
 
 During the evening, Washington had the pleasure of en 
 joying in private, a short conversation with the beloved of 
 his soul ; but he found her much averse to love as formerly, 
 although he pleaded his passion moie energetically and elo 
 quently than ever. She, however, with the view of soothing 
 his wounded feelings, and rendering her refusals of his pro 
 posals as little oppressive upon his mind as possible, ex 
 pressed so warmly what she really felt, esteem for his virtues 
 and admiration of his talents, that although he forbore to urge
 
 JIIK WILDERNESS. 
 
 her Inrther, lie could not forbear to cherish some sweet hope 
 that the day might come when, even contrary to her own ex- 
 pi stations, she might feel .she mi^ht acknowledge, that she 
 loved him. Alas, he knew not how intensely and steadfastly 
 s! e loved another ; and alas, by her kind and amiable, but 
 ill-judged anxiety to save him from the mortification of a 
 harsh refusal, she prolonged those: hopes with which his soul 
 \ as loth to part, and unintentionally, encouraged that fallacy 
 cf expectation in his bosom, which, because it was destruc 
 tive of his peace, she would have given any consideration to 
 i oMi.ove. 
 
 In the morning, as Washington, in order to pass the time 
 which was now become heavy on his hands, wandered along 
 the bank of the river, his steps almost involuntarily led him 
 t.i the spot where he first beheld Maria. 
 
 " Here," said he, as he leaned against the walnut tree, 
 Here it was that while standing in this spot, that vision of 
 light so unexpectedly burst upon my view ! There she sat, as 
 fixed to this place 1 listened to the tones of her enchanting 
 voice. Ah ! I will never forget that moment when she looked 
 up and showed me a countenance of more than mortal beauty, 
 -uch a countenance as my imagination in its romantic mo 
 ments had often attempted to depict, but had never before 
 -een, and till then, had despaired of ever sccincr. Oh! what 
 varied sensations both of joy and misery have I since sus 
 tained ! Hut, alas, little of joy appears now to be before me. 
 I might have been happy had I never seen her : but no 
 iliank heaven 1 have seen her, [ have conversed with her, 
 although it has ruined my peace ; for such an idea, such a lovely 
 ;dea as her image alone could impart to my soul, was ne 
 cessary to make me happy. She refuses me, alas, but she 
 steems me and the time may come when her heart, may be 
 disposed to love ; for heaven surely could not have made her 
 so essential to my happiness, without ordaining her for me !" 
 
 " My son, 1 could wish thy hopes to be better founded," 
 said a voice. lie turned, and beheld Tonnaleuka beside him. 
 
 " Father, thou knowest the. maiden," said Washington. 
 Ah ! tell me thinkest thou, can her heart even be mine . " 
 
 "My son," repelid the prophet, " the chances are now 
 against thee, but the fates may in the end be favorable. I 
 will neither desire (.her to hope, nor to despair."
 
 70 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 " But hear me, my son, there is a person concealed m 
 these woods from the enmity of the French. He is of a 
 generous and daring mind, a Briton like thyself, and like 
 thyself, a soldier. He has heard of thy coming with an arm 
 ed force, and longs to join thee against liie enemies of hi.s 
 country. Wilt thou receive him?" 
 
 " With great, pleasure, and a hearty welcome, replied 
 Washington "May I ask his name " 
 
 " Charles Adderly," returned the prophet. 
 
 "I am glad of it," said Washington. He is a young 
 man of indeed a gallant spirit, and will he a real acquisition 
 to me. I have often of late wondered where he was con 
 cealed. 1 have heard of his rescue from the P rench, ami 
 could not think he had made his way to Philadelphia, other 
 wise it would have heen publicly known. But where shall 
 I see him ? " 
 
 " Let me first inquire when you intend to returning to your 
 nrmy?" said the prophet. 
 
 " To-night I believe ; as it is moonlight, I think I need 
 not delay longer. " 
 
 "Then to-night, at ten o clock, he shall here meet you, it 
 that hour answers," said Tonnaleuka, 
 
 1 shall make it answer," returned Washington. 
 
 " Then, farewell, my son, " said the prophet, arid he dis 
 appeared in the direction of Turtle ( reek ; and Washington 
 returned to the house, to enjoy the luxury of conversing with 
 Maria, although he knew that he must avoid the subject of 
 love. She had walked out, however, and he could not as 
 certain, or at least he had too much deliracy of feeling to 
 inquire, in what direction ; and he passed rather a tedious 
 and melancholy afternoon, in company with Gilbert Frazier 
 and Mr: Vanbraam. 
 
 But although Washington did not find his beloved, yet, 
 reader, I will tell you where she had gone. It was to the 
 place where her heart was treasured the cavern of her lover. 
 She had paid several visits to this place of late, and had in 
 dulged Charles in some very pleasing and interesting inter 
 views ; but she had taken care never to mention to him any 
 thing concerning the addresses she had received from Wash 
 ington, a? P!IP conceived that such information would onlv
 
 THE WII.DKBNESS 71 
 
 i ive iii in unnecessary psin. Tonnaleuka had been equally 
 
 i - larded on this subject, so that (Jlrjrles had no ronoeptinn 
 
 that tin: chief under whom he was about to volunteer his 
 
 s -rviei s to his country was his rival ; and \\ ashington, on 
 
 part, was altogether ignorant thai the young volunteer 
 
 Mir whom lie leh such a high respect, \vas the only obstacle 
 
 etween him and iiis soul s eh;;:-: ue^.re. 
 
 Toiitiah iika had, previous !o bis meeiiiur with Washing- 
 
 it the walnut tree, as we have jusl relaled, informed 
 
 Maria of Charles s wish, to join ih-,: Iro ips :it Fort Necessity. 
 
 tie havl air-o informed Chari vicinity of Washington 
 
 ; i; i UK! not object to his joining him as he considered it the 
 
 ;l iiiMbh- means i-v winch he could be relieved from his 
 
 inlinement, PIU! ^et out of tlic \\iiderness. As to Maria 
 
 he had been ahvavs ;;>, i ;ie habii. <;! oflering no opposition 
 
 : .) whv.U ver I!;L prophet approved. The matter war? therefore 
 
 cc : i now \voui to the i^avein in compliance 
 
 her Iver s r^qiu-ist io see her before iiis departure. 
 i; Ah ! my love ! " s.iid i .e. as the: c.onver.-ed together, "I 
 :ilmu>i iVi- i in.1 - it liberty and to lorego that 
 
 bonorai)le service, which is now open to me, since they will 
 e purchased at the dear rate of leaving thy vicinity, of de 
 priving myself of those sweet visits with which thon hast 
 made my asyhim happy. Oh Maria! honor calls me but 
 how cats I think of r -mov in;r so far from thee?" 
 
 " < she icMiii- .-d, 1 indeed feel uneasy at the 
 
 thought of your being again exposed to the hazards of war. 
 Bui it is perhaps your duly, Tonnaleuka approves of it, and 
 he !;:iov,-s better; at least he can judge more cooly on this 
 inau.-r ; ian 1 can. I ray that (.od may watch over your 
 
 "And oil !" IK; replied, may he watch over thine, tbou 
 ovely, but tender plant, whom I must thus leave exposed to 
 ill the rude siormsof a barbarous forest! But my absence 
 diaii not be IOIIL;, my love we shall soon advance forward 
 under our pn:den ; am! heroic leader, and root our enemies 
 out uf their strong hub!.--. " 
 
 It is a comibn to me. ihat you \\ iii be under such a chu t. 
 i know him, my ( harlen 1 have heard Tonnaleuka speak 
 of his jiialiiie.;, and I am persinded tint, if wisdom can com 
 }>-
 
 72 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 mand success, and virtue deserve it, it will follow his stand- 
 are. But, Oh Charles! he may he successful, and yet tliou 
 he lost, lost to thy Maria. Alas! Alas! 1 cannot heip trem 
 bling when I think of the niKnerops acc dr-n^ of war t.n which 
 ihou wilt soon be exposed/ 
 
 "Fear not, my dear"-!, usy hest beloved ! " said Charles, 
 much affected at this manifestation of her concern for his 
 s.ileiy. "Fear not ihe God whom thon servest, and who 
 made thee .so i so lovely, v : ! ; reserve aie for thv 
 
 sake. 
 
 "1 will never cease to pray fervently," she replied, "that 
 IK- may" and although 1 cannot help suffering fear lest 
 misfortune should assail the betrothed of my heart when he 
 becomes so exposed to danger, yet I \viil not distrust either 
 the power or goodness of that God, who, I know, i.s as able 
 to save i : ; the \vhirlwind as in the calm. And. oh Charles 
 TT>V i conjure vov, nevr to ce i n : ; ;MII. and iin- 
 
 pli re him 10 b" yoiu- guide, a> wHI ::s your guard." 
 
 "Maria, iny sweetest love!" said he, "it is mvdutytodu 
 KO ; and since thon de- M. .><; mv duty, it shaH 
 
 be my pleasure, my 
 
 " Oh, Charles," she hastily replied; " I trust -that it b.is 
 always been thy pleasure. Oh, say not ; i it it is to gratifv 
 me that you would n:;.d% j it eo." 
 
 Maria, hear me, rr.y love!" ai-.l ii- ; > ; I nave never yet 
 been insensible to the deiioht that arises from worshipping 
 God, and I hone I never shall. But to obey thy injunction 
 is in itself a pleasure, distinct and rapturous, which until my 
 heart ceases to beat it shall keenly (eel ; and even the first 
 of my duties, the worshipping of my God, shall derive addi 
 tional pleasure from thy commanding it. Oh Maria! do not 
 think me profane when I say that religion appenrs to me 
 more lovely when it is recommended by thee." 
 
 They now heard the steps of Tonnaleuka advancing. 
 "My children," said he, as he entered, "von are now 
 about to separate. Let it be with fortitude and resignation. 
 The will of heaven respecting you cannot yet be known. 
 But repose confidence in your Great Father, and serve him ; 
 and whatsoever accidents may befall you, be assured that, 
 although they may produce temporary distress, thev will in 
 th* pvd result >n v-i ir Listing . H Hi ig o. t -i- h. rich. \v .!l
 
 THE UTLDF.RNF.S v 7H 
 
 rver be the happy fate of those who, amidst all trial?, main- 
 i:iin their integrity. " 
 
 " This, my children, is my advice. I wish you to attend 
 lo it. 
 
 " For you, my son, this night at ten o clock your chief will 
 ntlend your coining to the place where I will conduct you. 
 He ivady, therefore, to meet him and study love and obey 
 iiiin, for he is worlhy of love and obedience. I would also 
 ay, imitate his virtues; lint they are inimitable. 
 
 And now. my daughter .said he, to Maria " I3id this 
 vomit: man farewell, and come along with me. I doubt not 
 hut heaven will again grant you to meet, and perhaps at no 
 distant period." 
 
 " (Joti jf rant it," said Charles J hen since it must be so, 
 I -ire well farewell, my love !" and while he imprinted an 
 ardent kiss upon her hand, she returned a faint " farewell." 
 
 She then left the cavern \vithTonnalenka, who accompanied 
 her until within sight of her father s house, where she arrived 
 a little before sunset, much to the gratification of Washing 
 ton, who began to fear that he might not see her before his 
 departure ; and even felt his mind agitated with doubts that she 
 mi^ht have absented herself on account of his presence." 
 
 lie could not help, therefore, manifesting his satisfaction at 
 her return, by indulging in a sprightliness and gaiety of con 
 versation to which, during the whole day he had been a stranger. 
 
 .Miss Frazier," said he, 1 was beginning to despair of 
 seeing you before I set off. You seem to be like the great 
 huntress of the Grecian mythology, who esteemed the shades 
 for nothing so much as their concealing her from the eyes of 
 visiters." 
 
 " 1 have ahvays, in good weather," she replied," been fond 
 of the woods, although t did not seek them to-day, I assure you, 
 for the purpose of avoiding visitors ; and with respect to 
 those who now honor us with their presence, they are the 
 last in the world towards whom I should be disposed to act 
 the part of the shy Diana. No, no, sir, they stand too high 
 in my estimation for that." 
 
 "Notwithstanding which," returned Washington, "you 
 have for the last six hours at least, exclusively favored the 
 rocks nnl ;h^ str^ cn* with their company, to I fie gn Ht di*
 
 74 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 appointment and vexation of us your poor visitor?, who have* 
 hi en ilie whole afternoon fi < !> .! i{;-iid pinirg so much at v our 
 absence, thai we cor.ii! have wished ourselves charged into 
 rocks, am! irecs, and fountain?. ; , so \vc conid Inve enjoyed 
 your presence. Bui it was perhaps as u ell, as \ve now enjoy 
 it ilie more ^ensil ly, on account of having eo seveidv It-it 
 the want of of it." 
 
 I am really glad that I ran make anv other atonement for 
 my f-iult," replied. " But methinks, Mr. Washington, thai 
 if the company had suffered so very much fiom rny absence, 
 it would hardly exhibit the contented, good-humored, and 
 sprightly countenances I now behold." 
 
 " It is only when yon are present, that yon can perceive 
 such happy countenances," said he, smiling. 
 
 " I acknowledge it," she replied ; " 1 have not the power 
 of seeing through hills and rocks, and cannot exactly behold 
 felicity any where in my presence. In some eases, however. 
 it m-iy he right to judge of the past by the present: and if 
 so. I cannot suppose that any of you here have been very 
 unhappy this afternoon." 
 
 "Ah, Miss Frazier !" returned Washington, " you know 
 that the minds of men are variable : and yon have yourselves 
 seen plants drooping- in the rain, that have almost instanta 
 neously erected their heads, and become lively and gay in the 
 sunshine." 
 
 " I have seen such appearances," she replied ; and I 
 believe, sir, you have not erred in resembling them to the 
 fickle tempers of men a strange race of beings, for so as- 
 siduonslv avoiding whom, I cannot but give the woodland 
 goddess you spoke of, some credit." 
 
 " I acknowledge you have the advantage of me iu thi.-i 
 respect," observed Washington. "I cannoi reiort upon 
 you, for I know no one of the soils who ever thought of 
 avoiding women, otherwise I might eulogize his firmness, 
 although I confess that I would heartily condemn his taste. 
 But, alas! Miss Frazier. to speak seriously, it was cruel to 
 deprive me of your company lo-day. My stay here must 
 be very short, and I wished to have all my friends in thi:. 
 place around me while it lasted. ! would uj heaven that 
 every member of this family were now at Mount \ernou.
 
 THK WILDERNESS. 
 
 safely removed from the havoc and distress which barbarous! 
 \\;ir has destined for this quarter of the country. But I 
 1,-ust God will protect you, if I cannot." 
 
 Ye wove a>e frienly an kin ," Mr. Washington, ob- 
 sint-d Gilbert. ;m hat a .< ? religious heart o ycie ain, 
 v.Tiiik I m muekle mistaken if God dinna Mess to ahundnnt 
 :y:ng, as oor minister a;, .he Juniata used to say. All 
 ; s a pleasing 1 sicht to see a soldier wha fears naethin bur 
 to oilt-Mid his God; an I doot na but he ll, in every strait, 
 remember your trust in him, an keep you in the hollow o % 
 his hand, and under the shadow o his wings. For me, sync 
 \e hue ta en up the sword in a gudc cause, to stop the rava- 
 L:-S o thir French an Indians on oor Christian neighbors, 
 I ll ave pray for your success." 
 
 Soon after this, Paddy returned from the garrison. Wash 
 ington walked out with him, and received the following in- 
 t< lligence. 
 
 Some Indians have informed the Governor this very 
 day," said lie, -that you are approaching with several hun 
 dred Virginians to attack the fort. The whole garrison has 
 in consequence been, during the afternoon, in commotion ; 
 and I waited a couple of hours longer among them than I 
 intended, in order to see what measures tliey would adopt. 
 After holding councils of war, making speeches, and drink- 
 ijg wine in abundance, they at hist resolve. 1 , to detach about 
 a hundred men to watch your motions, impede your pro- 
 -, and send you to the, devil,! suppose, if the} can. 
 Those fellows started at a c;u;ck pace about an hour and a 
 half since, under one Major Jumonvillc ; and may heaven 
 send them all safely into your clutches." 
 
 " I must then return immediately to my camp, in order to 
 prepare for their reception," said Washington. 
 
 " Wisely said," replied Paddy ; but you must take care 
 not 10 fall into their hands on your way. Let me sec, they 
 have taken the northern route. 1 suppose, that they may 
 .ome upon \ on imm behind though heaven only knows 
 what they mean. I ll watch them, howe\i-r. and give you 
 .imely notice of their movements." 
 
 " \\ e must now set oil, and endeavor to auml them as 
 well as we can," observed Washington. The uighf will 
 \\r us, in case thrv cojne upon our course."
 
 7*5 THE \vn,DER\ES8. 
 
 "There are private and near paths," said Paddy. "Let 
 me think a moment can I not prof ure you a guide ? Doctor 
 Killbreath, or Arcliy ? No, the Doctor s too ignorant of the 
 country, and Archy is a blockhead. I had better conduct 
 you myself, till you re out. of danger: and then, trust me, 
 sir, I shall soon scent the designs 01" the Frenchmen." 
 
 Tin s. I b; iir-ve,is the best arrangement," replied Wash 
 ington. "1 thank YOU, Mr. Frazier, for your zeal. \ lion,- 
 it. shall yet be in my power to reward you." 
 
 As yoti choose for that," said Paddy. 
 
 " The sooner we are olT now the better." observed Wash 
 ington. - if Mr. Adderly were here, I think we iniyht pro 
 ceed iiniiH-diately." 
 
 "Mr. Adderly!" i-i- turned Paddy with surprise; "does 
 HP o-o with you :" 
 
 " I am told that such is his desire," said Washington. 
 
 "You will find him a brave fellow," o!)servi;d Paddy; 
 " worth a dozen Frenchmen, so lon<r as he has nothing to 
 do but lio l t. But as to warcraft, sir why he can no more 
 think of overreaching an enemy, than of eheatintr a cred 
 itor. He will make a daring soldier, but a confounded bad 
 leader." 
 
 "He has honor and courage, " replied Washington. "He 
 has also talents and education of the first-rate kind; and it 
 he disdains low cunning-, permit me to say, that it is only 
 what every o-reat leader should do. Foresight, prudence, 
 coolness, fertility of invention, and promptitude of excution, 
 which are the great requisites of a commander, are in no 
 respect akin to fraud and deception. But we will not waste 
 time on this subject at present. Paddy, is it not near ten 
 o clock?" 
 
 Paddy, pulling a watch out of his pocket, observed. 
 "Let us see what this madam savs. I just set her by the 
 dial at the onrrison to-dav. The moon s pretty clear I 
 can discern it : it appears to be within about ten minutes 
 of ten." 
 
 " We must then be off," said Washington " Let us call 
 Vanbraam, and bid adieu to our friends." 
 
 So saying, he hurried into the house, bade a hasty fare 
 well to Mnria and the rpt of the family, and set out for rlu.
 
 THE WILDKRNFSS. 
 
 \v Inut live, followed by Vanbraarn and Paddy. Tonna- 
 ie ka. and Charles had arrived there a few minutes before 
 tli. rn. The two youn<i heroes received ouch other with a 
 wrm and hearty jrreetinfr; and the prophet pronouncing 
 his benediction upon them, left, them, and they set forward, 
 P. ddv leading the \vav. at a vi<rorous pace, for the precincts 
 oi port Necessity. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 V r-t cautions ns in !<),in. ui s land, 
 
 Lord M:>ni ion :; order speeds the band, 
 
 Some opener ground to jr.iin ; 
 And scarce a furlong had they rode, 
 When thinner trees, receding showed, 
 
 \ litlie woodland plain. 
 ,lu<l in thai ;ulvanta;Teous glade, 
 The iiainnu tio ips a line had made, 
 . >:- fnii i from ih.i oijfiositiu 1 shiidc 
 
 : nl 
 
 Sr .rr. 
 
 PADOV continued to o uide our parlv through unfrequented 
 y T hs, and ofien no ptitlis at all. amidst an uninterrupted and 
 ^ lent forest, over hills, precipices, dingles, vales, creeks and 
 r .vinrs, until he deposited them in Fort Necessity, a dis- 
 1 >nce of nearly seventy miles, in little more than twenty-four 
 hours after their leaving Frazier s. During their journey 
 they had neither seen nor heard auythinij of the French de- 
 r ichmcMit, nor had anv intelliiTence concerning it reached the 
 I ort. 
 
 The whole of that niirht, however. \\ ashinoion took ef 
 fectual measures to prevent a surprise, and the next morning 
 r^addy Frazier, together with several other scouts, were sent 
 to ranp-p th* 3 coun r\ in search of the enemy.
 
 78 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 As a few days before, Washington hod the misfortune to 
 lose by sicklies? one of his oiiicers, a captain, named Stew 
 art, he had. now an opportunity of manifesting his regard for 
 ChnHfs Add"i!vby bestowing upon liini the vacant com 
 mission, ihcn fore, now felt himself in that honor- 
 on .,( life, winch was perlce lv suited io his ardent 
 and ! sition. lie was now a. soldier, and an 
 nice of his country, and ui,;l: r a leader who 
 im wi:h his friendship, and for whose pre-emine:-? 
 and virtues he was hiii-.ressed \vith th" run s\ profound 
 admiration and respect. 
 
 It wr.s about nine o clock ;.t night when Paddy Frazier 
 entered Washington s qua; iers. \\jtli information concerning 
 the enemy, lie had discovered them about mid-day, as 
 cending the w oi die Laurel Hill, and lit 1 kept 
 them in view the whole afternoon, until he saw {item en 
 camped in a narrow . vi ra] mih-s eastward of the hill, 
 and on hour s march from th: For;. 
 
 Paddy described the ground on which Ji;m >r,vi .ie had 
 encamped his men, in &\ nner that Was! 
 
 mediately perceived the prac .icahiiify oi sei/ing, during di>- 
 niglit. uno irrounded them, and .-ni iirisin? 
 
 them into a surrender in the morning, perhaps, without 
 bloodshed. \\: accordhio iv. without delay, placed himself 
 at the head of about t\vo hundred men, and pr< 
 the spot. It was on the, margin of n. sr.ia.H i)ro< -, am 
 sisted of a llat pice" .-:d, noi n. 
 
 wide, covered on both the east anci \* i st \>y iuol, aou a orupt 
 hills, which rendered it one oi the best places that could nr- 
 found for concealment, but one of ihc worst for escape. 
 
 After silently and cautiously reconnoitering the u;round. 
 Washington detached nearly one iialf of his troops under 
 the charge of a trust) officer, by a circuitous route through 
 which they were guided by Paddy Frazier, to take posses 
 sion of the western height, while he himself with the- re 
 mainder occupied that on the ea- i. 
 
 During the night his humanity prevented him from attack 
 ing the French; for he reasonably expected that when the\ 
 should, in the morning, perceive themselves so completely 
 hemmed in by a superior force, without any means left for
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 79 
 
 epher escape or resistance, they would surrender without 
 iriunu occasion for unnecessary slaughter. 
 
 His expectations wore. 1o a ore at extent, although not al 
 together, realised. The Fri ncii, indeed, wort: much aslon- 
 is.icd when the dawn ai*co\ en d to their viev, the adjacent 
 lu .rli ts glittering witli the weapons of war, and the British 
 colours floating at intervals all around them. Their com 
 mander, however, who was oi a brave, but rather harsh tem 
 pi r, felt more chagrin and irritation, than despondency at 
 the circumstance. He rejected Washington s summons to 
 surrender at discretion: and with the very forlorn expecta 
 tion of throwing the Virginians into some confusion which 
 mioflit facilitate his escape, he ordered an attack to be madr* 
 ii ion a companv which guarded the lower entrance into the 
 defile. This company was under the charge of Charles Ad- 
 di rly, beside whom 1 addy Frazier happened then to have 
 stationed himself. 
 
 Damn that scoundrel Jumonville !" cried Paddy, as soon 
 as he observed these mo ions of the French. ;t He ll sacri 
 fice his men to his madness, and give us trouble too. But 
 I I pop a ball into his cap, to teach him sobriety." 
 
 The next instant Paddy s rille was at his eye, and .lu- 
 immville s brains were scattered on the ground. The at 
 t; i k in consequence of this accident was suspended, and, 
 ai ier some little parly in<r, the French surrendered them- 
 Si Ives unconditionally prisoners ol war, and were soon lod- 
 C i d in Fort Necessity. 
 
 The sun of prosperity seemed for several davs to brighten 
 more and more upon the British cause. The day alter cap- 
 t .rinif the French detachment, the remainder of the Virgin- 
 i n reinment, that was to follow under Colonel Fry, joined 
 t ieir companions; but the Colonel had died on the march, 
 : ul, very much to the satisfaction of all his soldiers, the 
 .-ile command now devolved upon \\ ashington. The num- 
 I "rot his troops was also augmented a lew days afterwards 
 I v the arrival ol two regular companies, one from the co- 
 l. iiy of New \ ork. and the oilier from South Carolina; for 
 bv this time all the colonies had become interested in the 
 f- 1 niggle, and resohcd to support, Virginia in her etlbrls 
 : gainst the common enemv.
 
 8U uiK WIIOI;RM> .. 
 
 Having now a, force of nearly six hundred men, tolerably 
 well appointed with every material I or war except cannon, 
 of which, however, he knew that I)u Quesne was also des 
 titute, Washington resolved to proceed westward to the at 
 tack of that post, or if that should be found imprudent, to 
 cut oiF whatever supplies mijjht be sent to its aid from Le 
 Bofiuf or (Canada. At the very worst, he conceived that he 
 could at least seize upon some favorable position which he 
 mijrht fortify, as a countervailing strength, nnd where he 
 could maintain his ground, and keep the enemy in check, 
 until he should be re-inforeed from the east. A scarcity of 
 provisions, which be<ian to be felt in his little armv. was ihe 
 only thinii that (rave him uneasiness, and seemed to call for 
 a postponement of his design. But he trusted that a sup 
 ply would soon follow him, as lie had expressly and ur 
 gently written to Governor Dinwiddie on the subject; and 
 he fcaivd much that even a short delay mio-ht allow the Ca 
 nadian reinforcements to enter l)u Qucsne. and thereby ruin 
 every prospect lie might have of dislodging the enemy from 
 thence, for that campaign. 
 
 In the, mean time, he knew that Paddy Fra/ier, who had 
 returned to his father s the day succeeding the capture of 
 Jumonville s party, was keeping an active and vigilant eye 
 upon the proceedings of the French. He therefore felt 
 confident that they could take no step of importance, or re 
 ceive any considerable accession of force, without his ob 
 taining the speediest intelligence possible on the subject. 
 So loni>- as Paddy was silent, he had, in consequence, a right 
 to presume that the French were yet unrecruited and inac 
 tive. 
 
 These reflections, and his extreme solicitude to clear that 
 quarter of the country of the French, induced him to pro 
 ceed ; and about the latter end of June, he commenced his 
 march westward with all the troops he had, except one com 
 pany, which was left to protect the fort from any surprise. 
 On the second day of their march, however, when they had 
 proceeded only a few miles to the west-ward of the Laurel 
 II ill. Paddy Frazier met them with intelligence of such a 
 nature as to stop their further progress. 
 
 lie said, that "the French having only two day" before
 
 THE Vvir.nERNEGS. 81 
 
 i ,-eived their long-expected supplies from Canada, had al- 
 ily, with a force of noarlv a thousand Europeans and as 
 in nv Indians, commenced their inarch, to meet the British 
 ai-d could not, be more than half a (lav s journey distant." 
 
 the circumstances in which his army was then 
 ]>\ !<!, Washington considered that this \v.is indeed alarm- 
 i 1 iuiellij vncc. Their bread was altogether exhausted, 
 an I tlieir supply of meat was become verv scanty. If the 
 Kr. iich should by any means get to tiie eastward of them, 
 w >ich. bv the aid of the Indians, who were well acquain- 
 te : with the country, and their own superior numbers, they 
 in j;ht easily do. any supply of provisions or other stores 
 that might !)e sent from Virginia, would inevitably be inter- 
 i ited, unless convoyed by a stronger escort than there was 
 anv reason to expect would accompany it. 
 
 As, however, Washington was very reluctant to com- 
 m<-nec a retrograde morion solely on his own responsibility, 
 h iwe\ er necessary it might be, lie thought, proper to call a 
 ! incil oi war. before which lie laid all t u: circumstances 
 oi their situation, and his own opinion as to the necessity 
 re reat. 
 
 (iod is my witness, said he. in concluding his address 
 !< the council, "that there is no one here 1 who feels more 
 n iiictant to embrace sue! , .1 measure than I do. My whole 
 h an has become, bent on relieving ibis country from the in- 
 li sence of the i^rench : for while they rule here, I know 
 \v II that Indian outrages will never cease to alllict our fron- 
 ti rs. and entail upon our back-settler.-, a precarious and 
 wretched existence. I5ut we must, at present, yield to the 
 imperious mandate of fate. The force of the enemy is over 
 s , lelming. In Fort Necessity we may be able to defend 
 o rselves until our friends send us succors, which we have 
 eery reason to expect cannot now be long delayed. 
 
 Thus, gentlemen, f have laid before yon the real na- 
 t :!V of our situation, and the measures which it, appears to 
 I)!- 1 the preservation 0111 troops require us to pursue. [ 
 now submit it to your decision, whether to adopt, the disa- 
 oreeable alternative ol returning to our for!, which I have re- 
 c ininended, or of pushing forward or remaining where Ave 
 are, and thereby temp! destruction, either from the hand oi 
 t <e enemy, or the mure terrible one of famine."
 
 S2 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 The council, after a very short deliberation, resolved unani 
 mously that a retreat was necessary, to afford them any 
 chance of avoiding capture or destruction. It was there lore 
 immediately commenced; and .Fort .Necessity saw them 
 again enter its ramparts, about lour days after they had left it. 
 
 There was only one individual in the wiioie hand who 
 felt the disappointment occasioned by this unfortunate turn ol 
 affairs, as acutely as Washington himself, and he did so he- 
 cause his feelings arose from the same cause; this was Cap 
 tain Adderly. With hopes highly elated in his breast, lie 
 had expected in a few days to have been again stationed he 
 side his Maria, not as an absconder, who feared to shew his 
 head above ground, but as an avowed soldier of his country, 
 able to protect the object of his affection from any species 01 
 insult, whether offered by Christian or savage. Now he had 
 to retreat from the superior force of that enemy, whose con 
 irol in the country was the only obstacle to his happiness 
 
 Washington s feelings ran much in the same strain, onh 
 he had an additional burthen of public solicitude and gnei 
 for the miseries 1o which he saw that, thousands of his 
 countrymen would in consequence of his failure in this ent^r- 
 prise, be doomed. He, however, even at this early period 
 of his career, began to practise, in an extraordinary manner, 
 the virtue of self-command for which he afterwards becami 
 so remarkable. Ai this time, when his heart s tender affec 
 tions were undoubtedly stronger and more tried than eve; 
 they were during any subsequent period of his life, when h< 
 cherished an ardent desire to be near his Maria, and to pei 
 form every thing that promised to secure her safety diirin; 
 these times of trouble and peril, he never permitted her ide 
 for one instant to interfere with his duty to his countrv, .No 
 although no man ever loved woman more fervently and let 1 
 derly than he loved Maria, yet still his country was the mis 
 tress to whose service, whenever she pleased to call uno . 
 him, he resolved to devote himself in preference to any otiie- 
 
 As he expected soon to sustain an attack at the post \\- 
 now occupied, he kept his men busily employed in impnn nv 
 its strength. Its defences, which were of the stockade kinn. 
 had been hastily erected, and were very incomplete, and h.
 
 THK WILDF.KMiSS. 83 
 
 h:r ii U yet been able to deepen ils trench sufficiently to oiler 
 much obstacle to ttie enemy, His troops were all /ealous, 
 in nbeyin<T his directions, and exerted themselves so industn- 
 oh-ly, mat every hour appeared to add to their seeuriy. 
 Tne ollicers themselves made great personal exertions on 
 this occasion, and with great alacrity set the common men 
 an tx,;:;inie of manual !. 
 
 Ymonir others, Charles AdueYiv hail one day wrought 
 vt-ry perseverino ly at the trench, wi.cn feeling fatigued to- 
 v\ rds t!ie evening -, an;i wishing to enjoy, for a short spare. 
 tl::> luxury of meditating in solitude upon Maria, he descend 
 er a su-ep deelivitv, at a small distance from the fort, to tin- 1 
 fji . e of a brook which there worked its silent passage b- 
 n< ati! a verdant covering of hazels and aider bu.-iieH. 
 
 On a small grassy bank he threw himself down, beneath a 
 (Miiopy formed by the intertwining branches of these shrubs 
 r luxuriant foliage- of which scarcely permitted the rays of 
 the sun. at that tune soiling in {Treat magnificence, to reach 
 him. lint if they had reached him, all glorious and striking 
 ly i-eauiiiul as the appearance of that hnninaty then was, it 
 ( mild not have attracted his attention for that attention was 
 ii >\\ firmly rivetted upon an object to him more attractive, 
 lively, and endearing, than any other created being he could 
 hahoicl. 
 
 "Alas. thought he; "and am I doomed to be cut off 
 from her presence! 1 Is she lated thus to reside within the 
 i"ach and under the power of an enemy, whose outrageous 
 and ruiiian tempers are but too well known. Ah! what 
 -oublc.-, and persecutions will she have to Miller, if her en- 
 ( hauling beauties should happen to excite the passions of an) 
 i>t these unrestrained and lawless Frenchmen? Oh, my (?od 
 here is destruction, there is fren/y in the idea. Heaven \>" 
 er\e her 1 rom such trials ! 
 
 " Ah, then, you dont like Frenchmen, dont you . " exclaim- 
 (1 a voice suddenly; and before he had time to yet on his 
 feet, two men had rushed upon him. He, however, by a 
 rapid exertion of strength, soon {{ot one of them beneath 
 him ; but the other was about plunging a danger into his body, 
 when lie was forcibly seized round the waist by a man who 
 lifted him, dagger -ind all, into the air exclaiming
 
 H4 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 "By Jasus 1 two to one is ibul pla\ , uiv honey would 
 you kill the gentleman? Ah ! blood and thunder ! is it my 
 master, you thieves ?" was the next exclamation ; " then to 
 the devil with your damned carcass ! " 
 
 That instant the suspended Frenchman was dashed vio 
 lently upon the ground, and the next his own dagger was 
 buried in his heart. 
 
 " Huzza Cor old Ireland " cried the victor, whom thr 
 reader must have perceived was Paddy M Fall. " I\ow, 
 master, i or tiie other rascal ! " 
 
 "-Not so fast, my brave Peter," cried Charles, "he calls 
 ior quarter. 
 
 " By the holy Bridget ! then I ll quarter him in a ]ifly, " re 
 turned Peter attempting to strike at the Frenchman. Charles 
 body, however, acted as a shield, and Peter, though he 
 niadeseveral efforts could not effect his purpose. At length 
 
 Charles, in an authoritative manner, said 
 
 " I order you, Peter, to desist and leave this man to me. 
 You see he is disarmed, and defenceless. It would be mur 
 der to kill him ! " 
 
 "Murder to kill a Frenchman!" exclaimed Peter "by 
 my sowl that s a new doctrine ! But if he \vas the devil, you 
 may save him if you wish it, my honey ! But what will you 
 do with him ? " 
 
 "I will have you," said Charles, to throw down that 
 weapon, and catch him bv the shoulder or the neck, if you 
 think proper, only dont strangle him, and push him before 
 you to the fort yonder, where we will dispose of him as may 
 be found suitable. " 
 
 Peter leapt upon the captive as a tiger would upon his 
 prey, and seizing him by the collar with his risi ht hand, 
 drove him before him in great triumph, occasionally giving 
 him a shake, and a kick upon the breech wiih his knee, 
 while the Frenchman, very much to the delight of his tor 
 mentor, roared out pileously for mercy. 
 
 Upon his examination at the fort, the prisoner acknow 
 ledged that he and his slain companion had been set forward 
 by Monsieur De Villiers, who was at the head of an army 
 of French and Indians, amounting to nearly two thousand
 
 IFIF. WILDKKNEStf. Hf) 
 
 in I ll, to reconnoitre (lie position and strength of the British 
 u;ider colonel Washington; and that they had the whole of 
 ih it day been concealed in the hollow where they had fallen 
 ii: with captain Adderly, and only waited for the coming of 
 niuht to approach nearer the works and explore them more 
 minutely. He also stated that the French army could not 
 be far distant ; and if they did not delay for the return- of 
 tlp ir spies, they might advance to attack the fort the next 
 day. 
 
 To account for the unexpected and timely approach of 
 IVter MT all to his master s rescue, I must inform the 
 reader that Air. Gist, to whose house, it will be remem 
 bered, he had been conveyed by Paddy Frazier, for the 
 pin-pose of keeping him out of the way of mischief, under- 
 st; miing that provisions were scarce, and consequently dear 
 a the fort, had, while the main body of the troops were 
 absent on the excursion that has been mentioned, visited 
 tin garrison in order to dispose of some of the productions 
 of his farm, and had been there informed of Charles Adder- 
 ly s situation in the armv. He communicated this intel 
 ligence to L eter, who immediately resolved to rejoin his 
 master. lie accordingly bade a tender adieu to the fair 
 lv--ther (ii-=t, whose charms had made him forjret those of 
 A illy M \\iekle, and starting for Fort Necessity, which 
 was not more than liftcen or sixteen miles distant, arrived, 
 as we have sr-cn, just at the critical moment to save his 
 master from destruction. lie at once resumed, verv much 
 to the satisfaction of both parties, his old station as the faith 
 ful and favorite servant ol Charles Addrrly.
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 \I length the i ri <ti : iiiiig western !I!;IM, 
 Aside the shroud ot lKittle cast; 
 And first the ridge of njiimled spears, 
 Above the bright ning cloud appears ; 
 And in the smoke the pennon s lieu. 
 As in the storm the white sea iiiexv. 
 Then mark-d thev, dashintr broad and fur. 
 The broken billows of the war- 
 Wide rose the battle on the plain. 
 Crests rose, and stoc i d, and rose ;igain. 
 
 SCOTT. 
 
 Tin: information which trie ruptured Frenchman had 
 given of the vicinity of the enemy, was found the next 
 morning to bo correct. The, dav had searcelv dawned, 
 \vhen Washington received imellirrenee from some of the 
 out-posts that tlie hostile standards were approaching, and 
 that the woods to a considerable extent, seemed to be alhe 
 with French and Indians. The irnrrison was immediately 
 under arms, and everv man at his station, expecting a severe 
 eonilict, but resolved to do his duty, so that if the enemy 
 should prevail, thev should pay deaiiv for their victors . 
 Their defences wore far from being complete. The trench 
 had not been altogether cut round the stoccade, in a few 
 places ii was barely marked out, and in none was it so deep 
 as to he an effectual barrier to the assailants. The stoccade 
 was itself very imperfect in many places, there being yet 
 several gaps entirely destitute of stakes. The hostile force 
 was at least three to one, and was equally well appointed in 
 all the implements of war. But brave men, although they 
 may see clanger, never lose courage; and Washington with 
 great, promptitude and coolness, made such judicious ar 
 rangements for receiving the assailants, that confidence was 
 inspired in every one of his men, and even hopes of victory 
 began to actuate their bosoms. In order to animate them 
 still more, their heroic commander, after each company had
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 
 received its instructions, and taken its station, addressed 
 to it a short speech, reminding the soldiers that upon their 
 valor and good conduct that dav, the safety of a thousand 
 innocent Christian families upon the frontiers depended. 
 "Think," said lie, in sonic of these short addresses, on the 
 consequence of our being- defeated on this occasion. Hordes 
 of merciless savages will be let loose upon your defenceless 
 \\ives and children, who \\ill riot in their destruction, and 
 will, ore they send their victims to eternity, inilict on them 
 every species of torture they can invent. Oh, I therefore 
 conjure you, my fellow-soldiers, to be steady and strong 
 to-day, and if possible, save your country, and her children, 
 fr !!! such calamities." 
 
 As the enemy was advancing in a direction where the 
 d-. ch was, to a considerable extent, between four and five 
 fr :t deep. Captain A elderly was there s::uioned with about. 
 a hundred marksmen, who were instructed to conceal them 
 selves by remaining in a stooping posture until their adver 
 saries approached so near that there would be no danger of 
 their tire missing them, when they should open it with as 
 s .; and steady an aim as possible. Each of these marks- 
 i . was supplied, in addition to his rifle, with a loaded 
 inusive,. so that the party could, without intermission, pour 
 upon their enemies two successive discharges; or if it should 
 Ir; necessary, meet them at the point of the bayonet. The 
 remainder of the troops kept within the stoccade, ready also 
 t i give tiu: foe a iiery and deadly salute, whenever he. should 
 \ -aimre near enough 
 
 These dispositions on the part of the Virginians were 
 f- -,arcely made, when the savage war-whoop was heard be 
 f.veeu nine and ten o clock in the morning, and at the dis- 
 i.mc.e of about six hundred yards from the ditch, the enemy 
 ) ailed, and a voiles from a thousand muskets was instantly 
 poured upon the stoccade. Some of the badly fixed piles 
 v/eio overthrown, and live or six of the Virginians killed bv 
 tfiis discharge. They, however, coolly reserved their tin; 
 lor sonic minutes, unld the assailants, encouraged bv this 
 lorbearance, advanced rapidly to svnhin about a hundred 
 * aids of the ditch, when Captain Adderly gave a prccon- 
 erted signal to his marksmen, and thai insi-mt. a hundred
 
 THE WILDER A ESS. 
 
 Frenchmen pressed the "round. Thev paused lor a. mo 
 ment, and were inclined to fall back, hut De Villiers sup 
 posing the Virginian rifle: to he now unloaded, urged them 
 forward to storm ihe fort, when they were again sainted hv 
 a volley from both the ditch and the stoceade, which level 
 led nearly a hundred and fifty more of them to the earth. 
 De Villiers now conceived it prudent to avoid that fata! 
 ditch, and attack the fort in another quarter. He accord 
 ingly drew off his men from the reach of the Virginian fire, 
 which movement allowed Adderly s marksmen an opportu 
 nity to ! ck,ad unmolested. The enemy now keeping at . 
 respectful distance from the fort, marched towards its south 
 east quarter, where thev hope;! to find it more easily as 
 sailable. But when opposite this quarter, although thev 
 perceived its ramparts to be less complete than elsewhere, 
 \et being ignorant of i!;e depih of the ditch that fronted it, 
 they for several hours manifested a shyness to approach, 
 lest similar volleys to those they had so fatally experienced 
 from Adderly s men, should issue from it. They, however. 
 kept, up an irregular and very inefficient fire from behind 
 the shelter of trees and long grass, upon the garrison, which 
 the latter seemed to lake very coolly and patiently, never 
 reluming it except when some of the .Indians or French 
 came within hitting distance of their marksmen. 
 
 Towards the alter pait of the clay, as if this apparent con 
 tempt shown by the yarnson, had at last roused and irritated 
 him to a greater boldness and energy of action, De "V illicit 
 came rapidly on with his whole force, seemingly resolved to 
 take the place, cost what it would. But here also, captain 
 Adderly s marksman lay in wait for him. They discharged 
 their rifles, a:, before, but the enemy had not come in such a 
 compact body, and therefore although they lost a number of 
 men, and were for a moment made to recoil, th^y soon re 
 covered their order, and pushed forward regardless of dan 
 ger. Even a second volley, although it told fatally upon 
 them, was not sufficient to check their progress, as their 
 v. hole force, Indians as well as French, seemed to be in 
 spired with a;; absolute contempt of destruction. 
 
 In a minnie, the enemy had named the edge o! the ditch, 
 and the ritle of Adderlv s men were unloaded ; bul (lieu
 
 Kiyonets were fixed, and a cheveaux-de-frise ul that formi 
 dable weapon instant! / presented itself against them, over 
 wluch u was impossible, for tlu: French to proceed. 
 
 About, a hundred bavonets. however, could not defend the 
 whole trench agai . . is now as 
 
 sailed it. and several sti os of*the French were, in n 
 
 moment, at other points attempting to cross it. These were 
 instantly attacked wit n a heavy lire from tir 1 stoccade, not- 
 wiihs;nding which, upwards of live hundred, led on by l)e 
 \ illicrs in pe- r.- 0:1, had succe tscending into the e itch, 
 
 and. would, perhaps, have made their way into ;he lort, had 
 not V"as.iingloii pr ii!:|.uiv e lai^ini liiem, at tise head of about 
 one nundreii and lil iy men, with ii.\cd bayonets, before they 
 eouhl ,isce:id io the level ground. 1 his riiariie was assisted 
 at a a very eriticai in^Mient \>Y a well directed ilre i ro:a the 
 .Ne A York i>, W\K .Ian the stoccade. Dr. 
 
 I- il!iers, was, in < ons iquenee, obliged t;) withdraw, alter leav- 
 inr between iifty a.ui sixty of bis men dead on the s|)oi. 
 
 Captain Adderl y, much about the same tune, had driven 
 oil tin; party with which he had been engaged. Not content, 
 however, with this advantage, his impetuosity induced him 
 to follow the enemy upon the open space. He accordingly 
 sprang out of the: trench, and calling on his men to follow 
 him, he wa>> obeyed. The enemy, who were at least, three 
 to one against him, turned upon hi:-,i. and his small band 
 would, in all probability, lia\e been cut to pieces, had not 
 \Vashington perceived their danger, and with the hundred 
 and iiliy Virginians :iiat had driven off l>c \ liiiers, lieu ;; 
 their aid, and the enemy thought proper to retire to the .-lici- 
 ts.T of the wood*, which iiiev did in loleraiils good oicier; 
 not, however, betbre Captain Adtlerly and Monsieur ,lonc;ine 
 h;,(i met in a single combat, and the latter had been hewn to 
 the eirih, receiving a dreadful fracture in the skull, of which 
 he died a lew days afterwards. 
 
 i>oih Washington s and Adderly s parties now returned 
 to their old stations, as pursuing a hostile force upon exposed 
 ground, who were so much their superior in number, and as 
 well furnished for battle as themselves would have been ab 
 solute madness. 
 
 A cessation ol the attack now look place, and Washing-
 
 90 THE WILDKRNKSS. 
 
 ton had time to inquire in : o the real position of affairs. 
 Between sixty or seventy of his men were killed, and up 
 wards of a hundred so badlv wounded as to he incapable of 
 service. Tne enemy were repulsed, it is true, hut there was 
 every probability that t ; i renewed the next 
 
 day ; and if the nssnilant? should happen to direct their force 
 to the quarter where t; --ness of the trench would 
 
 permit them easily *o pas ! . If, on the other 
 
 hand, thev should he too nr. ; ; .ed hv the warm re 
 
 ception t!i!-.y i.ad ji to 
 
 storm the place, and should cor; 1 ; elves with block 
 
 ading it, and cutting off its expected supplies, the surrender 
 of the garrison must be. equal! v, nay. porhaps more inevitably 
 certain, as it did not possess, at that moment, more than three 
 day s scanty allowance of provisi 
 
 The only chance of extrication fro; a the v difficulties. 
 Washington conceived would he a renewal of ihe attack of 
 the enemy upon the same poin s ru which they had already 
 made it. This would afford his troops an opportunity of 
 again repulsing the attacks of the assailants, and perhaps 
 compelling them to abandon the e!iierpri ; e. I was. there 
 fore, his great object to prevent t~:em from discovering the 
 great weak parts of his defence: and lie accordingly ordered 
 that, during tiic night, these should he partieubrlv guarded 
 from tiie approach of spies and reconnoiterers. 
 
 \\ hile lie was making arrangements, for preventing a sur 
 prise, a trumpeter approached from the French, who were 
 encamping in the woods, about eight or nine hundred yards 
 distant, demanding a parley, and permission for an officer to 
 enter the fort in order to negotiate for its surrender. 
 
 Washington promptly refused to grant the last request. 
 He declared that he would permit none of the enemv to enter 
 the (ort without detaining him there as a prisonor: and that 
 if the French commander was serious in his desire to nego 
 tiate, he must give a passport for a British officer to proceed 
 to his camp, ior the purpose, and also his witness parole for 
 his safe return. Washington s caution in this matter arose 
 from his unwillingness to expose the incompleteness of his 
 works to any of the enemy, and it also occurred to him that 
 this request for negotiation might he a contrivance ot DP
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 91 
 
 Villiers to discover any assailable quarter for a new attack. 
 
 De Villiers, however, granted the parole required, and 
 Captain Adderlv was appointed to wait upon him, and ascer 
 tain lite terms he had lo propose. Those terms being very 
 little short of absolu .e surrender, v. ere quite inadmissable ; 
 and Washington instructed Charles to " inform tlio French 
 commander, that unless lie greatly humbled his views, and 
 modeialed his pretensions, an aUernpt to negotiate was only 
 u.reie. -s trouble, and should be no longer attended to." 
 
 This reply induced Villiers to conceive that the British 
 were r.iiore confident of being able to resist him than he ex 
 pected, ilo therefore in a second message, did lower his tone 
 considerably, offering lo permit the garrison, both officers 
 and privates, on giving their parole not to serve in this coun 
 try diiain during- tj >.,-- continuation of the present contest, 
 against the French, or their allies, permission Lo return to their 
 several homes, with such provisions as were necessary (or 
 their journey, but without any oi their arms or military stores. 
 
 "Tell Monsieur De Viiiicrs," said Washington, after hear 
 ing these proposals," thai he very much mistakes both our 
 situation and our dispositions, if he calculates on our aceept- 
 inir such terms. Ti;e only terms I shall accept are these, 
 That we shall be allowed ti,e honors of war, permitted to 
 retain our arms, bagy^ye, and stores of every kind ; and also 
 to take our own ii;ne to march without molestation back 
 to \ ir^inia. Rather than capitulate on any other conditions, 
 1 sbali bury myself and every man who shall adhere to me, 
 amuist the ruins of our Fort. Do Villiers need not, there 
 fore, trouble me wi answer tlnn an acceptance 
 of these (> 
 
 Vv hen Captain Adderly reported this reply to i)e Viiliers, 
 " 1 iat young Washington ii> an obstinate commander," said 
 he, " but 1 .- ee be is a brave one ; and 1 believe I can make 
 U(> tiiin.vi more of hint without considerable slaughter. Let 
 hiiM iiave bis terms, therefore in the name of heaven, so that 
 i may not him out of this part of the 
 
 ;>htion was accordingly drawn up in French, and 
 afterwards tianslat< d into lOnjjlisli, when it was signed by ihe 
 ollicers on both .-.ides. The next morning the British re 
 moved all their stores out of the fort, and with their colors
 
 J2 nil-: u 
 
 flying, their mu^te p aving, and the troops marching in mili 
 tary array, they evacuated it. and paraded at some distance 
 beyond the French encampment. 
 
 As their horses were chielly either killed or captured dur 
 ing the engagement, they were unable to carry oil all their 
 stores. They, therefore, to prevent them I roin falling into 
 the hands of the French, destroyed the greater, portion, pre 
 serving only what they could hear away on their shoulders. 
 Thev then continued their march homewards, and iit about, 
 three days after lenving Fort .Necessity, arrived at the inhab 
 ited parts of Virginia. 
 
 All rank? of Colonel Washington s countrymen were highly 
 pleased vvitlitlte bravery and good conduct he had displayed 
 during these transactions : and indeed, the whole partv re 
 ceived great applause for their spirited and gallant behavior. 
 When the legislature met, they expressed their satisfaction 
 at what had been done, by presenting 1 a sum of money to be 
 distributed amon<> lhe soldiers, and passing a vote of thanks 
 to Col. Washington and the oliicers under his command, lor 
 the credit which their conduct had reflected on their country. 
 
 To this vote of thanks, Washington, in ihe name of the 
 ofiicers, made the following reply : 
 
 " We, the oflicers of the Virginia regiment, are highly 
 sensible of the particular mark of distinction with which 
 you have honored ns in returning 1 your thanks for our beha 
 vior in the late action : and cannot, help testifying our gratp- 
 fui acknowledgments for your "high sense" of what we 
 shall always esteem a .duty to our country and the best ol 
 kings. 
 
 " Favored with your regard, we shall zealously endeavor 
 to deserve vour applause, and by our future actions strive to 
 convince the worshipful h^use of burgesses how much we 
 esteem their approbation, and, as it ought to he. regard it as 
 the voice of our country. 
 
 tSi-nied for the whole corps, 
 
 GEORGE WASHINGTON."* 
 
 Although, as it is natural to suppose, the applauses be 
 stowed on this young hero, on this occasion, strengthened \\i^
 
 i ii li \\ II.IH:KN T K$-. M . - 
 
 predilection for a military life, yet, .shortly after this, some 
 >mto\vanl circumstances took place, which induced him to 
 relinquish it for the present, and to retire to a private station. 
 These were owing to a controversy which arose between the 
 ollicers commissioned by the kini> , and those commissioned 
 only by the governors of the colonies, concerning rank, the 
 former claiming prececie.nce over the latter of the same grade, 
 when acting together in the same service. I shall not here 
 into the merits of this controversy, which is detailed 
 fully in the histories of the times, and which was one cause 
 : .:ii"!i<i - many others that prevented more effectual measures 
 from beiny taken against the French during the remainder of 
 ibis campaign. 
 
 * olonel VVashington and Captain Adderly took part \vith 
 tli^ provincial officers in the discussion of this matter; and 
 as those holding commissions from the crown al length car 
 ried their point, these two in-ntlemen retired from the ser- 
 vice, and manv oi the "V iririnian oilicers followed their ex- 
 ample. (Governor Dinwiddie addressed several letters to 
 \\ ashinion, pressing him still to hold his commission, in 
 r ( -|)l\ to which he asserted his unabated attachment for mil 
 itary employments, and his nndiminished desire to serve his 
 In when she needed liim " 15 ut," said he, I can 
 Milv serve with pleasure, wben it is in my powsr to do so 
 without dishonor." 
 
 lie indeed perceived that his remaining in the service at 
 
 his time would be attended with very little advantage to the 
 
 : >lic; for ahhoujrh (-Jreat iJrilain bad now declared war 
 
 nst the enemv, and larirc European succors were ex- 
 
 nectcd soo ti rrive in the colonies, yet the. councils of the 
 
 !atler were so distracted, and their resources so badly mu.ii- 
 
 U ;ed, that it was easy to see that no en enterprise of impor- 
 
 fancf v.oidd be. undertaken against the French this season. 
 
 I e \illiers, indeed, bad on his part <riven occasion for 
 I one: lor. satislied with having driven \\ashington out of 
 the \\ilderness, and, perhaps, concei\ inii - it imprudent to 
 maintain a station so near the boi ders of the British settle 
 ments as Fort jNecessity, he relinquished it the very day 
 after its capture, and retraced his steps back to Fort I)u 
 Quesne.
 
 04 THE WILDKRNESS. 
 
 Some Indian ravages, it is true, were towards the latter 
 part of the season, committed on the bark-settlers of Virgin 
 ia and Pennsylvania; but, considering the. failure of Wash 
 ington s expedition, the frontiers suffered infinitely IPSS than 
 might have been expected. That \ dition, if is pre 
 
 sumed, although it had failod in its primary object, had given 
 holh the French and (lie Indians such a severe sample of 
 what they should receive from British vengeance, if they 
 should arouse it, by too much provocation, to the exertion 
 of its full strength, that they thought proper to exercise some 
 caution and forbearance towards them, at least until the sea 
 son should be so far advanced, that the. colonial troops could 
 not n<. r Kin take the field. It may be also mentioned, that, 
 after Washington s resignation, one Colonel Innes obtained 
 the command of the Virginia regiment, which being recruit 
 ed and joined by rcvcnl companies of regulars from NJary- 
 land and North Carolina, presented to the view of the Indians 
 a force which, although it undertook the performance of no 
 thing important, was still sufficient to keen hem in such 
 awe as to restrain their depredations. 
 
 Although the court of London, as soon as it found that 
 reasoning would have no effect in causing that of Versailles 
 to relinquish its claims upon the Ohio country, did not hesi 
 tate to draw the sword in order to accomplish that end ; 
 yet no European troops were sent to assist the colonies to 
 drive the, intruders oft the contested ground for several 
 months after the war was declared, and during the whole 
 of the autumn of 1754 and the following winter, the French 
 remained unmolested in the possession of the Wslderness. 
 
 The family of Frazier continued as usual to follow their 
 employments undisturbed by the French, with whom Paddy 
 managed to keep on^ne most cordial footing. The assist 
 ance he had rendered Washington never became suspected, 
 and both he arid Doctor Kilbreath continued to trade with 
 them and the Indians as freely, and with as little fear, as if 
 they had never taken any part with their enemies. As to 
 the Indians, the friendship of Tonnaleuka secured theirs to 
 the family and except the disappointment which Gilbert 
 felt from the bad success of his countrymen, he had, on 
 on this occasion, no cause for uneasiness : or at least he
 
 rilK WILDERNESS. 95 
 
 l. lt none from apprehension of either his own security or 
 that of his family. 
 
 With respect to Maria s feelings on hearing of the trans 
 actions at Fort Necessity, the uncertainly uiuler which she 
 labored concerning Char u.s Adderly s fate, gave her great 
 uneasiness, but that uneasiness was confined to her own 
 Iireas*. Perhaps on that very account it was the more pain 
 ful ; and, although she was not without hopes, still her fears 
 of some misfortune having taken place would sometimes 
 amount almost to agony, and she would have given any con 
 sideration to he assured of his safety ; nay, such is often the 
 intolerable nature of suspense, thai, if the worst had happen 
 ed, she would have made almost any sacrifice to know it. 
 At length fortune had compassion upon her, and relieved 
 her anxiety by throwing in her way a Philadelphia news 
 paper, which Paddy had procured from an Indian who had 
 wrapped it round some articles of spoil, of which he had 
 plundered one of the Pennsylvania!! settlers on the frontiers, 
 about the latter end of autumn, when several marauding par 
 ties of the savages, as has been observed, ventured to make 
 a few predatory excursions. This paper contained the follow 
 ing paragraph, which communicated joy to her soul. 
 
 It is with great pleasure that we announce the arrival in 
 our city of that gallant young man, Charles Adderly, who 
 commanded the party sent out in the beginning of last win 
 ter, to take possession of the lands belonging to the Ohio 
 Company, in onr western wilderness, and upon which the 
 French garrison of Le IJumf committed the daring outrage 
 which has been often mentioned in our paper in terms of 
 indignation, and which we rejoice that our mother country 
 lias at length determined to chastise, in a manner becoming 
 her rank and dignity amono- the nations. 
 
 "?\lr. Adderly s friends had been for several months un 
 certain of his fate, and their joy on beinu a<;ain blessed with 
 the society of one so much valued and beloved, after lie had, 
 as many supposed, fallen a victim to savage revenge and 
 cruelly, wdl not be easily imagined. This gentleman s ad 
 ventures in the western wilderness, during the last winter, 
 we are informed, have been of the most singular and ro 
 mantic diameter. Fntil the appennnpe of the gallanl Wash-
 
 90 TUT: WILDKRXESS. 
 
 ingtou in that quarter gave him an opportunity of joining 
 his countrymen, he owed his safety only to concealment in 
 the lonely dells and darksome caverns that abound in that 
 dreary wild, fiieut, indeed, must have been his sufferings, 
 and miraculous his escape;:, during the inclement season he 
 was obliged to seek shelter in such hiikhitr place-.-. 
 
 " We frus! thai Mr. A.dderlv, or some of his friends, -will 
 one da}- favor the public, with a narrative of his adventures, 
 during his excursions to the wesi. We are persuaded that 
 there are none but would feel extreme! v interested iu the 
 perusal of such a work." 
 
 The information thus obtained having; tranquilized Maria s 
 mind concerning her lover s safety, and no accident of a 
 serious nature occurring to her during the winter, she passed 
 it with as much satisfaction and ease of mind as in Charles s 
 absence could be reasonably expected. This absence, how 
 ever, it must not be denied, occasioned her many an hour :-: 
 anxious meditation : and when in good weather she would 
 take a ramble through her native woods, often would the 
 recollection of her Charles s image melt her into tenderness. 
 On such occasions, often did she recall to her thoughts the 
 
 alteration, so
 
 fin: wn,r>KUNi:33. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Oh ! thou pole orb that silent, shines, 
 While care-untroubled i; nrtals sleep ! 
 
 Thou seest a \\reich Unit ir 
 And wanders here to \va 
 
 With wo I iiisilitly vitrils ki 
 Beneath thv \van mi\vr;rn 
 
 And rnonrn in lamentation 
 ilo\v life and love are br. 
 
 y pines, 
 and weep 
 
 a dream. 
 
 BURNS. 
 
 THERE is, perhaps, no dass of brings in the world move 
 npt to lie tormented wiih incidents that are nt cross purposes 
 with their wishes, tlmii hirers. It. would ho easy to prove 
 the truth of this assertion hv a thousand examples: but it 
 would be too tedious u business. I shall, therefore, not 
 prove it at all. unless the following statement oi some per 
 plexities that befell Charles Addeiiy shortly after his return 
 to Philadelphia, be received as u proof. 
 
 The jov of his father ant! mother on seeing their only son, 
 whom thev I inked upon almost as if he had been restored 
 from the ofrave, once more safe, under their roof, was such 
 as tender parents will readiiv conceive. They in a few 
 days invited a lar^e party ol tSvir numerous friends, for the 
 friends of the rich are always numerous, to a splendid ball 
 and supper, in celebration of the joyful occasion. This 
 brilliant party consisted of some of the most distinguished 
 and fashionable families then in Philifflelphia. Its ladies in 
 particular comprised almost all that was beautiful, tray, and 
 etifrajxinjr in iheciiv; but amidst the whole fascinating group, 
 there was one object whom every eve singled out as the 
 most worthy of admiration. This was Miss Arabella Wai- 
 worth, niece and heir: - s to Robert \Yalworth. Ksq., reputed 
 to be the most opulent banker in America. This young 
 lady had been the only child of John Walworth, a West 
 India merchant, who died in Jamaica about ten vears before
 
 98 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 her appearance in the gay assembly of which we are speak 
 ing-, and had left her the; sole heiress of a property _ said to 
 amount to between thirty and forty thousand pounds ster 
 ling-. She had lost her mother about three \ ears afterwards, 
 and her uncle, the banker, had for the last .seven been her 
 only guardian and protector. 
 
 Charles s father had long- contemplated this young lady 
 as an eligible match for his son, and had even gone so far 
 as to secure the banker s acquiescence. Although the old 
 gentlemen had thus easily arranged the matter between 
 themselves, they had not as yet imparted their scheme to 
 the young people; and Mr. Adderly now thought that it 
 would be but fair to give them an opportunity of getting 
 fond of each other, by which means the match would be 
 rendered much more agreeable, and easily effected. Mr. 
 Wai worth, who knew little about the influence of the tender 
 passions, being one of those cold-blooded, good sort of ho 
 nest money-making men, Avho ncjer feel any of the sweeter 
 and more endearing impulses of life, would have gone less 
 ceremoniously to work, and would have had the deeds of 
 matrimony "signed, scaled, and delivered" without delay; 
 "for," said he, in reply to some observation of old Adderly, 
 recommending a more cautious mode of proceeding, " I can 
 see no objection that the parties to this contract can have to 
 perfecting its obligation, since they must, each of them, on 
 the first inspection, be convinced of getting value received,, 
 But as it is a kind of business in which 1 have no experi 
 ence, being now in my ilftv-ninth year, without ever having 
 bargained for a wife, I will leave it to your management,, 
 for you must know better what is needful lo be done in the 
 premises. Only I wish you to make every reasonable dis 
 patch, lest, by keeping the bargain in suspense, Arabella 
 mav miss a profitable market." 
 
 "There is no danger of that," replied Charles s father; 
 " your niece, you may be assures!? >vill for these ten years 
 to come, be as disposable a commodity as any of her kind 
 in the province. But you mav depend on it, Mr. Wal- 
 worlh, that T too anxiously wish her to become my daugh 
 ter-in-law, to delay its accomplishment any longer than thf. 
 nature of the transaction will require,
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 99 
 
 On the night of the hull already mentioned, Charles s 
 iViher and mother used every contrivance in their power to 
 draw the attention of the young pair toward each oilier. 
 
 The greatest i avorite I have in the room," would his 
 mother observe, "and, I briieve, the best young lady in the 
 ci;y, is Miss ^\ alworth." 
 
 I have always thought her an uncommonly line girl, * 
 would his father reply; " eminently beautiful and accom 
 plished, and mistress of nearly forty thousand pounds in 
 ready money, besides her expectations from the bankri, 
 Charles. I shall be glad if you secure this young lady j or 
 your partner to-ni<rht. " 
 
 " It she will consent to it," replied Charles, very com- 
 plnisantly, "I shall do so; for I really believe her to be a 
 verv amiable younir woman." 
 
 And don t you think her also handsome?" asked the 
 father. 
 
 " \ erv much so," replied the son, carelessly. 
 
 " Have you ever seen any woman you thought more so?" 
 said the lather. 
 
 " That is an embarrassing question," replied Charles, in 
 .some confusion, for he thought of his Maria; "I request 
 time to reilect on an answer. " 
 
 "Well, Charles, no matter about an answer; I wish 
 io see her your partner to-night, at any rate," observed his 
 lather. 
 
 If it be in my [tower. s ; r," said Charles," you shall be 
 gratified." 
 
 lie accordingly did, in the- most polite manner, request 
 ihe fair ladv to dance with him, and was honored with her 
 compliance ; and man) a gallant youth that night envied 
 his felicity. 
 
 Charles, indeed, found her society during the whole even 
 ing extremely agreeable and interesting; and his native 
 politeness towards the sex, independent of a wish to gratify 
 his lather, induced him io- pay her the most pointed atten 
 tion. But even at that moment, the image of the sweet 
 maid of the "\\ ilderncss reigned triumphant in his soul; and 
 as he reflected that, while he was thus surrounded with 
 splendor and enjoyment, she might br ; prey to misfortune.
 
 100 rm; WII.DKRNK-SS. 
 
 perhaps the victim of lawless passion and barbarity. he be 
 came thoughtful, and more than once, in the rnidst of his 
 gaycty and mirth, heaved a sigh, which his father, who oh- 
 served ai! his attentions to Miss Walworth. perceived with 
 great saiisfaciii!:i, as an indication (! "\ already ivmde 
 
 some impression upon his In 
 
 ling la .lv, sin , unfortunately for her own 
 peace, drew a similar conclusion. She saw Charles Ad- 
 derly ; she had heard of his militarv etploils, as they had 
 been eulogised in the official communications of Washington. 
 He was jusl such a man. hr was MI-! such a hero, as she 
 wished should love her; and she felt, from this nijrht pin- 
 too unequivocally felt, that she loved him. 
 
 Bui. ahl ou^h in everv respect admirable and highlv fin 
 ished. l)o;h in beauiy and accomplishments, vet. even if his 
 hear! had been disenij i v d. she was not exact v tlie charac 
 ter that Charles Adderiv could have loved. Her mami. -r 
 seemed rather to chall^n:: " and claim admiration and hom 
 age by an assumption of dignity, and a display of conscious 
 superiority, than to adraci ;,nd warm into fondness by an 
 invsistible combination of faultless loveliness, unaffected 
 sweetness, amiable humility, and a thousand nameless and 
 bewitching graces that shone from both the person and the 
 mind of Maria l- ra/ier. 
 
 Charles, however, was pleased with the preference which 
 this hi<r|] beauty of the world of fashion in his native citv 
 manifested for him. on this (;venin;r, over me many agreea 
 ble ynunu men who fluttered r^- ind her. and sighed f o obtain 
 from her an approving- smile. 
 
 As they sat together during an interval of dancing, a 
 young man named Morley, of good connexions and lar^e 
 property in the city, who had been long- enamored of Miss 
 Walworth, and had latelv made some unrequited declara 
 tions of his passion, approached and saluted them. Charles, 
 who had former! v been intimate with this youtiir man. invi 
 ted him to sit beside them. 
 
 " Perhaps my presence will only spoil the agreeable im 
 port of your conservation, " said Morley, looking rather 
 discontentedly at the lady. 
 
 "If you think so, sir," she replied, "you know what best
 
 THF. Wn,T>CR\FS>5. 101 
 
 becomes you to do. I presume Mr. Morley has more <rood 
 breeding than to oiler his presence where fie imagines it is 
 not wanted." 
 
 bei" pardon, Mis< \Valwor[h," he replied: "it was 
 op.lv mv le.irs of heiii i an intruder thai suggested the idea. 
 1 Captain Ad;le:iv conceive me one. If he 
 
 -avs til . 1 \\~ord, 1 . -hall i" 
 
 i am perfectly satisfied with vour presence," observed 
 Charles: neither do I. believe that Miss YTalworth feels it 
 dis MjTeenh!, . } on jnn<t, indeed, ?*lr. Morley, be much al 
 tered since i knew vou, if you have become an unpleasant 
 companion." 
 
 " I have no objection to the gentleman s company," said 
 Arabella ; "but he himself seemed to think thai, we did not 
 want it. Did you not think so . Mr. Morlev ? I must have 
 von to speak candidlv on the question." 
 
 " I realiy did think, then, mv fair eatechiser," said Mor- 
 kv, that von miirht have something of a confidential nature 
 TO discuss, which mv presence would interrupt; I therefore 
 expressed the idea, so that if it happened to be correct, I 
 mi .: lit at once re!ie\e you of the interruption; for 1 assure 
 von. my friends, much as 1 value your society, I do not 
 wish to e.njov i! at the expense of your satisfaction." 
 
 " \Veil. !> us drop the discussion." said the lady; "and 
 sine- ( ; derly has no obiection io vour company, 
 
 and vou seem to desire hi- 1 . I have no ivntt to interfere be 
 tween vent. laps, _:(:: ! men, you \\onld bo;h feel 
 more comfortable in in\ ahs- 1 
 
 "Oil, Miss Walworlh ." observed Charles, "how can 
 you think so ? Surely vou do not suppose that my late 
 residence amon^ the Indians has made me sn^ fi a savage as 
 that ?" 
 
 " \o far be it from me," she replied, "to think so. 
 Hut there are some vomiijr fellows who, I believe, have 
 never been live miles out of the bounds of JY .m s city, 
 whose manners frequently appear as if they had been alto 
 gether bred ;;inon<l savages." 
 
 "Miss \Yalworth," said Morley, who felt this remark to 
 be levelled at himself, " if my inconsiderate expression has 
 otlV-nded vou. I recant it. Hut no it was truth T reallv
 
 102 THE WIUJKKNESS. 
 
 perceive that my presence has disagreeably interrupted the 
 enjoyment of more pleasing company." 
 
 " Whether I prel cr the company of others to yours, or 
 not," she replied, "lias .sun 1 !;,, Mr. Morley, nothing to do 
 with my assertion as to the savages I have seen bred in 
 Philadelphia; for, I assure you, J have seen some in this 
 city so rude, that, although their friends and their fortunes 
 may sometimes gain them admission into good company. I 
 would, for mv part, rather sec one of the wild Chippeways 
 stalking into my presence." 
 
 " "i on are too severe upon the youth of your native city," 
 observed Charles, who felt for Morley, as lie perceived him 
 much mortified; surely, Miss \\alworth, you do not in 
 clude us all in your remarks . " 
 
 " God forbid," she exclaimed ; "the same Paradise thai 
 contained an an<iel. we aro told contained also a serpent." 
 " But what say you, Mr. Morley," she continued, smiling 
 in that gentleman s face, in order to relieve; his chagrin, 
 which she saw had been as highly excited as she wished : 
 " what say you, my friend, would it not be for the advan 
 tage of some of our young people, ladies. 1 believe, as well 
 as gentlemen, to visit the. savages to get their city rust rub 
 bed oil . Pray. Captain Adderly, what kind of women are 
 those squaws . Have you ever seen any of them you 
 thought handsome ? But, Mr. Morley, please to be seated, 
 and then Captain Adderly will let us hear of those Indian 
 women." 
 
 " Miss AValworth, I am all complaisance to the commands 
 of the fair," replied Morley, seating himself beside Charles. 
 " One smile from beautiful lips will always remove from my 
 mind the impression of a thousand frowns." 
 
 "All ! you are very good-natured, I know," she returned; 
 " but, my dear sir, you look so well in the pet, that it would 
 be a pity you should not sometimes fall into it ; and then 
 again you are so much improved on your recovery, really it 
 is delightful to see you go through the process of a little 
 ill-humor. But let us hear of the sqaws ? Do they ever 
 get angry, Captain ?" 
 
 "Angry !" observed Charles, " no. no. Miss Wai worth, 
 they leave that, for their husbands."
 
 THE \VII,DKK\E33. 108 
 
 " That s right," said Morley, " I wi?h our pretty while la 
 dies would also do the same. How charming they would 
 be !" 
 
 "It would he very unfortunate, sir," returned the lady; 
 " -pccially if all our whit" nen acre so difficult to keep in 
 order as yon. Captain Adderly, do the savage men ever g>,-t 
 angry I" 
 
 Very frequently with each other/ replied Charles ; "hut 
 seldom or never, I believe, with their women. " 
 
 i h- uk you, sir," she observed ; " hence at once is seen 
 th 1 reason why the squaws are so good-natured. I ll warrant 
 V U, if they had some of our Philadelphia bucks among them 
 tl. -y would soon change their tempers. But you didn t tell 
 mo if they arc handsome?" 
 
 "Ah! Miss Wahvorth," replied Charles, " you must ex 
 cuse me there. My eyes, I believe, have too much Christian 
 p rtiality in their vision, to be a proper judge in this matter: 
 ai d present beauty I have ever felt blind-folding in its qualities/ 
 
 " 1 understand you, sir," she returned smartly ; " although it 
 i;- odd. too, that beauty should have upon you an ("fleet so dif- 
 i rent from what it has on other people, who generally accuse 
 ii of two much brightness. Yonder arc some ladies opposite 
 t us, from whose countenancss I will undertake to say, that 
 ?-;r. Morlcy will acknowledge he sees li-j-ht issuin;:; and 
 h \. him converse !>ut five minutes with any one of them, he 
 will protest that h T eyes dart flames. How then, sir, could 
 they blind-fold you?"" 
 
 " perhaps by excels of light," returned Charles. " Men, 
 yon know, have been struck blind by li jditninir. But yon- 
 ( :r is the signal for another set. Miss Wai worth, have the 
 r todness to honor me 
 
 Si) ^avinir, he arose, bowed to the lady, who gave him her 
 l- ind, and whispering to Morley to follow with a partner, he 
 I d his fair companion : mi!in:[ towards the dancing part of 
 t ie company. 
 
 i)ii! j .y on earth is nevr lasting. A few hours rolled 
 r tund and llie i^errv revellers of this uray party >verr obliged 
 to separate. Tiiev accordingly hastened to their respecuvi! 
 ] omes, where on .heir dull couches, such are the contrasts 
 < f human life) they sought repose from the f,itiue of joy, 
 ! id concealment fmm hn rdmirin^ 0-170 of (lie world.
 
 1 III! Wir.DKRNR.3S. 
 
 A close intiiincy was, now cultivated between the lamdie- 
 of Adderlv and \Yalworih : the heads of which, with great. 
 satisfaction, conceived that their plans for a still closer con- 
 si: MOM, were on the fair way of being soon accomplished. 
 ;\ot a week passed but reciprocal parties were several tunes 
 given ;il both houses. Mrs. Adderiy never seemed so 
 happy ".S when she bad her t; on to accompany her on visits 
 to Arabella : and Arabella never permitted any other engage 
 men.iS to mterfeie with her returning these visits. Charles. 
 on such occasions, frequently found his presence exp< cted 
 fo accompany her both in coming and going; and very often, 
 =o familiar did their intimacv during the autumn become, in 
 was put i t reuuisi;io!, 10 attend I KM-, in her carriage to shori 
 excursions in the country. There they often recruited them 
 amidst graves, and shadv bowers, and i>\ ihe banks ot 
 piiriiiiL 1 broni<s, and all the tempting situations lor love ; and 
 Charles, it must not be denied, frequently found his nal.ur.il 
 fondness for the sex in such sini.Uions excited to a pass"i<: 
 feeling of something like tenderness for the fair companion 
 of his dangerous rambles. Hut he meritoriously held last to 
 ins he:irt < inte jrity. Merctoriously did 1 say! Alas .!." 
 had no merit, in the a Hair. It was his feelings, feelings of a!- 
 : eciion and passion interwoven with his very existence, tha: 
 im constan* to his iirsf ;md f>nlv love. V\ hat. if h (i - felt 
 a.rt warm at the soft seducing glance.-, and love-speaking 
 blushes of the universally admired beauty of the gay world, 
 who indulged him with so much of her society! \\hat 
 if lie felt a keener throb than usual beating at his heart, as 
 leaning on his arm she would, perhaps involuntarily press v 
 to her bosom ! There surely was nothing of infidelity in it 
 There might he weakness in it, but it was the weakness o! 
 human nature, and but momentary. One singlo reflection 
 upon the charms of his distant Mf.ria would calm the storm, 
 restore him to strength, and to these feelings of true love thai 
 he delighted to cherish. 
 
 Il inns ; not, however, he concealed, that in some of those 
 underguarded moments, his natural politeness was perhaps 
 exceeded in the warmth of expression with which he com 
 plimented his fair and tempting companion. But these com 
 pliments, although often taken for more than they really ex
 
 1 HF: WII.DIIRNKSS. 10.") 
 
 pre--ed by the young lady who wished them to express more, 
 were never intended by Charles to express even half their 
 liter i meaninir : and were sometimes more than half repented 
 of < re they were i ullv uttered. ]t must also be said in ios 
 justification, that had he conceived _\li-v- Walworth would 
 hav looked upon them in any oilier li<jdii than as the mere 
 dictates nf that common-place gallantry and politeness, due 
 bv il men to a fine woman, he would have allowed no len. p- 
 tutii.ii to induce him to utter them. 
 
 - all this time not aware that hi. 1 was looked upon 
 le whole citv as the favored and fortunate candidate lor 
 Mi--; V -"a! worth s hand. Mis pointed attentions to her, and 
 the x lusive preference she so publicly pave him over all her 
 admirers, were of themsehes MI i i"icntly to jrive rise 
 to this opinion, which was now become the current report 
 :mti firm belief of all the imssips of tin* day: but it was also 
 sn irony. }" corroborated and almost confirmed by tlic fact 
 :>mn<r, whether by accident of design is not material, ot 
 idv s guardian ami tin; gentleman s father, having :uMu- 
 .! upon the conditions of the match, that the most 
 tical on the subject, could not at. last, withhold their as- 
 sci to the truth of the report. 
 
 la ler.- were thus circumstanced, when one day Charles 
 wi it to p-iy his usual visit to Mr. Walworth .s. The servant 
 inl "fined him. that Miss Walworth was in the drawing-room, 
 Hi - ccnded the stairs without ceremony, and, the door of 
 thi di lom being a little; open, he had scarcely reached 
 
 tii landing-place, when he heard the young lady saying in a 
 v<V> f. rather above her usual tone to some person in the room 
 It is a mailer, sir, that cannot concern yon. 1 have a 
 o bestow my alfections, yes, and my hand too, upon 
 person f choose and if I have preferred Captain Adderiv. 
 . been my own pleasure to do so. and I hope, sir, ] am 
 ne aco:intabln to you for my preference-- or my conduct." 
 
 lar es j/anscul lor a moment, uncertain whether to ad- 
 vimce or re irc 1 ; he would have done th.e latter, but he had 
 already advanced too far, for the ladv, who was walking 
 al !iii the room, happened that instant, to see him, and ex- 
 el imcd 
 
 - Mi. here is ( harles himself
 
 106 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 He hastened forward, while she held out her hand, whi -h 
 he graceful! v painted, and- turning round, made a bow to 1 is 
 frit-nd, ?vlr. Morley, whi;:h was returned with a dr 
 rather offensive nod. 
 
 Captain Adder! v," Paid the lady, assuming an air if 
 i_ r n- irritation and triumph, " tliat gentleman has j;i 
 the impertinence to quesiion :-io \< - to tlie di.spo.--al of my 
 heart, and to complain of the preference I have given you, 
 as if [ were not my own mistress, -.,mi could not besiovr my 
 affections upon whom I please. He has, indeed, te;./cd me 
 this some time past, with his ridiculous addresses, in a m-i i- 
 ner that I am determined to tolerate no lo; 
 
 "I hope he has rot insulted yon ?" asked Charles. 
 
 "No. he lias not. exactly insulted me," she replied; "h i 
 language is of too whining a nature f;T thut. But I wish -o 
 God lie would, for the future, r-iVain iVui:a annoy in;; r. > 
 with his importunities. I will here repeat to him, thai 1 
 shall giv? my hand to whomsoever I choose and I \vil 
 that his presence can bo at present dispensed with." 
 
 "I shall then, proud fair one, bid y< morning." 
 
 said Morlcy. "Ihit I must first, state to Captain Adders . 
 thai I have no quarrel with ; and, heaven knows ! it : 
 
 further from my wishes to have any with you. My oni : 
 fault lias been, hi spite of mys!.- ! , loving you too Eimren !\ ; 
 a fault which I shall, if possible, endeavor for the future to 
 correct. But if I- should not be able to do so, believe me, I 
 shall not, at any rate, disturb your peace with the man yon 
 prefer. " 
 
 So saying, he msde each of them a polite bcr.v and with 
 drew. 
 
 "Oh, my diaries!" cried Miss "Walworth, throwing her 
 self upon a chair, "von know not although I ought to hav 
 told you, how niuch I have been lately teazed witi; thai 
 young fellow. " 
 
 Cliarles scarcely know what reply to make to such an ad 
 dress. It unequivocally insinuated thai she regarded hii;, 
 as her favorite lover, an idea which she had never br-inn 
 conveyed in such express terms. Her conduct, had indeed. 
 often manifested that she entertained such an idea. 13 1.1. 
 lie-had ventured to hope, especially as he was conscious o
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 107 
 
 iavin<r never made any direct declaration of love to her, 
 Iru e must have been mistaken in his construction of her 
 loinl .; t. Her conduct and language were now, however, 
 Doth oo plain for mistake, and (113 felt embarrassed, not know- 
 ng whether ho should undeceive her at. once with respect 
 to hi- l( > elin<_ r s, or let her discover them more gradually by 
 lYture deportment towards her. Both were harsh, and, 
 after \\<> intimaev he had so imprudently cultivated with her. 
 
 vii ps uniTcneroua measures, and grating to his feelings 
 an! the last was certainly the least so, and he determined to 
 ado; : . 
 
 Miss Wahvon-i, " said he, "what the nainre of your 
 intercourse with Mr. Morley has horn, you know it is no 
 mor in- ri h to inquire than it was his to interrogate YOU 
 ahoi \ our intimac-- with me. I would be equally culpa 
 ble v.iiii him if I were *< do so; ;md you would be equally 
 enii .ed to reset; i , uct. " 
 
 "How, Charles!" t. " ! understand you. 
 
 ])i> "on i!ol speak mysteriously . Is it not in my power to 
 prei T von to him, and have I not done so? Has my con- 
 duc not all along shown it. Have you not. therefore, privi- 
 
 < ; en which he had no right to presume ?" 
 
 ! acknowledge," said Charles, "that you have a right 
 to r LTul le, according to your own pleasure, the privileges 
 you allow your friends, and i cannot hut feel grateful at the 
 suj i-rior coniidence \ ou seem willing to repose in me, and 
 I c; i at least make this return for it, that! will not betray it." 
 
 What means this ."* she muttered with a tone of sur- 
 pri- and some irritation, "this cold chilling return! the 
 pri 1 iU-fj 1 I allow my friends! Is it Captain Adderly that. 
 spr ;ks so ! " 
 
 ilere she became much agitated, and for a few moments 
 continued silent. At length relapsing into tenderness, and 
 bu.^tinir into tears, she cried, "Oh, Charles! surely I have 
 no 1 deserved this from you. You. from whose attentions I 
 ha 1 e derived so much pleasure you, to whom T have jjiven 
 up my heart to whom I have now exposed all my weak- 
 ne s. Alas! have I been deceived by your professions! If 
 so. I am indeed miserable!" 
 
 Be calm, Miss AValworth," returned Charles, greatly
 
 108 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 moved, and willing to soothe her for at lliat, moment h 
 had not the heart to increase the pan^s he had already ii: 
 flieied "Alas! he composed, my dear madam; whatever 
 professions I have made, they may have been mistaken, bi;; 
 I assure you that they never were intended to he so." 
 I Fere the propriety of resolving not to encourage her delu 
 sion recurred to him, and he added, "For the future im 
 conduct shall lead to no mistake. Miss "Walwortli, L shall 
 leave you now to become tranquillized, and believe me, i 
 shall afford me great pleasure to hear that YOU have sue- 
 ceeded." 
 
 So saying, he bade her good morning", and retiring, wliei: 
 she caught him by the arm, and exclaimed 
 
 "Oh, Charles! Charles! do not leave me thus, witlion 
 some asurance that you love me; for, alas! you have raided 
 adouht. " 
 
 "How different is this woman from the mild, the u.odest, 
 the retiring Maria!" thought he, and lie was at once deter 
 mined how to act. 
 
 "Excuse me, Miss AValworth, " he replied ; "from m\ 
 soul I pity you, but I can assure you of nothing more ai 
 present. " 
 
 "Then then " she cried, " what means that covenant 
 concerning us, into which your lather and my uncle have 
 entered V 
 
 "What, covenant. " asked Charles, with surprise. 
 
 "Is it possible that you know not of it. " -said she, 
 
 I assure you, upon my honor, I know nothing of it," h< 
 replied. 
 
 "Ah ! then, 1 am doubly deceived," said she. "My uncle 
 spoke of it a,s a marriage treaty, and ! presumed alas ! whui 
 errors have I not presumed that it was \ our doing." 
 
 "Miss AValworth, by heavens! I believe you have in 
 deed been deceived!" he cried, with considerable fervor. 
 "The innocent, the unmeaning pleasure I took in your com 
 pany may have led to all these mistakes ; but I shall now 
 endeavor to correct .hem. May heaven forgive me, I really 
 believe I have sinned against you. But I will stay no loii- 
 ger, lest t repeal my fault." So saying, he hurried from 
 her presence.
 
 THF. W1LPF.UNF.SS. Hi!) 
 
 The next morning, Charles, availing himself ot a pressing 
 atio:i he ]iad received from a friend who lived near 1 ris- 
 il twenlv miles Tip ihe Delaware, set out on horse- 
 b:n . fo! 1 that place. There he remained for about a week, 
 and had time leisurely to v, < ;<:h his past conduct. Ife 
 col d not recollect anything for which he could seriously 
 coi demn himself. He had, indeed, frequently compliment 
 ed Miss "\Val\vorth in terms of high eulogy on both her 
 p -op.al charms and elegant manners ; but then she really 
 rod his encomiums, and he had no conception that she 
 v, r-dd place anv more value upon them than what they 
 \\ i - mereiv worth, namely, the light, airv, ami often un 
 meaning and unreflecting expressions of a <r.iy and thought 
 Irs- mind idling a beauiful young woman how pleased he 
 w; with her society, but neither telling, nor intending to 
 te[ more. 
 
 This was the sum of his offending ; and if it was venial 
 in itself, surely lie was not answerable- for any misronstrue- 
 (i< dnt either she or ihe world might put upon it. Me 
 w; > sorry, indeed, on her account, that such a misconstruc- 
 i n n had taken place, but the only thiii^ he could now do to 
 re air the unintentional injury he had elone her. was by 
 a\ id ing her society, to undeceive all parties, as to his 
 \i \\ .-- in ha\ing courted it. AVi li respect to his fidelity to 
 Y; . ri . In. 1 had noihi;i i for winch either to ae-cuse or ap- 
 pl ud : -iiir-df. He i di the coiisiaiicv of his unspeakable 
 [ for hi! 1 unshaken; but for this IK- riamu-d no praise, 
 a.- - knew tha; ii was a constanc) \viiidi could only fail 
 I o o d c : - : s e d to animate his [ i e a r i . 
 
 i e returned to the ci .v mi the - ;iy afier leaving 
 
 n. in obedience to a summon?- from ; lather. \ few hoiir.- 
 <ii :c arriving in te>wn, feeling a disposition fur meditation and 
 >: d-, he rcMred to his apurliiH-nt without having seen hi.- 
 la her, wiiom necessary business haul kept out during tie 
 u i. a-; evening. Before he was long there, however, his: 
 f iu-r entered, with a countenance more solemn anel stern 
 th m !u: iia.d ever recollected to see him assume. lie placed 
 ;l he had brought in his hand, deliberately and sileudy 
 table, and sf.atmg himself upon a chair, drew oui 
 t-lmok. lV ,ii wiiidi he (i>k a paper, and also laid <,
 
 110 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 on the table. After returning the pocket-book to its place, 
 and adjusting himself a little more commodiously on the 
 chair, he at length spoke, but it was not to give his son a 
 kindly welcome from the country it was to reprimand him 
 for going there. 
 
 " Sir," said he, it appears that you took your flight at the 
 very time you should have attended to make your explana 
 tions to a beautiful young lady, whom, by your pretensions 
 sions and professions you have betrayed into the belief 
 that you loved her, and thereby succeeded in making an im 
 pression on her heart. Your departure under such cir 
 cumstances, is looked upon, and I am sorry to say, with 
 an air of great probability, as an intended desertion of this 
 young woman : and the whole city is now crying out srnme 
 against you for such perfidious conduct. Have you ought, 
 sir, to say in exte-uiatbii c,f year !a;::l ?" 
 
 " My "father," replied Charles ; " it grieves me to hear you 
 address me in such language, and it grieves me still more to 
 think that 3-011 have been capable of suspecting, nay, of ac 
 cusing me of perfidy to any person. But 1 have this conso 
 lation, amidst the misfortune of vour displeasure, to he con 
 scious that the charge on which it is founded, is unjust; and 
 the only thing I can say in extenuation of the; fuuit you men 
 tion, is, that it never was int*-i:ti,)!i;.liy or knowingly com 
 mitted." 
 
 " What say you?" asked his father with surprise ; "Did 
 you never make love to Miss Wahvorth ?" answer me, hon 
 estly, as you value my favor or my displeasure." 
 
 I will answer you honestly then, my father," said Charles, 
 " 1 never did." 
 
 "You never did ! What then meant all your attentions 
 to her, your perpetual running after her company, gallanting 
 with her, flattering her, and complimenting her beauty and 
 numerous excellent qualities, of which it is well ascertained, 
 that you wore not sparing?" 
 
 Father," replied Charles, "pardon me if 1 say that you 
 are too well acquainted with the manners of the world, not 
 to know the true value and import of such compliments, as 
 in the thoughtless hours of amusement and gaiety, our sex 
 ha? been long in the habit of receiving as unmeaningly a.
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 1 1 1 
 
 rti> y ,ue given. Boyond such common-place compliments, 
 I assure you I have never gone in my intercourse with Miss 
 VI alworth; and allow me to justify myself by saying, that in 
 p .ymir her these compliments, I conceived that I had nothing 
 biiL what, from the customs of society, her youth and ac 
 complishments entitled her to expect from any man who had 
 any pretensions to good-breeding." 
 
 "So, after all it appears," returned his father, " that the 
 amount of your attentions towards her, was mere good- 
 breeding." 
 
 So I considor it," replied Charles. 
 
 " But it seems that both the young lady, and the whole 
 ci .y, consider it otherwise," said his father. 
 
 U )tli the lady and the city must he mistaken, then," ob- 
 3: rved Charles, although in consideration of tho lady s feel 
 ings, [ will say so to none but you, to whom, alone, I am 
 anxious to justify myself." 
 
 " Certainly you know the meaning of your own conduct 
 b St." observed tiie father. "Hut, pray, how did ii happen 
 tiat you paid such unusual attention to one to whom you 
 n >\v profess your heart to have been indifferent?" 
 
 All, sir," said Charles, " May I remind you, that the in 
 tercourse which called for these attentions, was not, at first, 
 o, my seeking; and through its whole continuance, it is 
 v. ith extreme reluctance, I say, though it be only to the ear 
 of a lather from whom I wish to conceal nothing, that I was 
 More sought alter, or rise fortuitously thrown into her com 
 pany, than would in, my a time have been my choice." 
 
 This statement may be correct," observed his father in a 
 
 s unewhat more kindly tone, "and 1 am sorry lor it, although 
 
 I pleases me to find that you have yet done nothing to de- 
 
 s rve the censure which has gone abroad against yon. But, 
 
 Charles, I had set my heart upon your marrying this young 
 
 \ oman. I wish anxiou-ly to see you established in life ; 
 
 ;i id in the whole city, t do not know a match that would be 
 
 ;nore advantageous to you, nor could I imagine that any could 
 
 i-e found more attractive. Her uncle is also desirous to form 
 
 the connexion, and we had gone so far, on the presumption 
 
 iiat, no objection could arise on your part, as to arrange the 
 
 onditions of the marriage articles. The reason of my not 
 
 21
 
 112 THK WILDERNESS. 
 
 communicating this to yon, was, that I expected every day 
 to receive an application from you on the subject, .vhieh 
 would have been the most natural course of proceeding-, and 
 by far the most agreeable to all parties. I am sorry that the 
 proposal must originate, at last, with me ; for as matters exist 
 now, I perceive that their is no other expedient left. Your 
 consent is alone wanted, to effect a union which must give 
 great and permanent satisfaction to all concerned, and to 
 which the whole community had lately set their eyes and 
 expectations. What say you, my son, will you consent to 
 marry the richest and most beautiful young lady in the city, 
 whose love for you is now so unequivocally declared, that 
 ever since the day of your supposed desertion, she has not 
 appeared in company, nor, as that letter on the table states, 
 left her bedchamber. But you may peruse it, sir, it is from 
 her uncle, and I hope it will make some impression upon 
 your mind." 
 
 " THOMAS ADPERLY, ESQ. 
 
 "Dear Sir The progress we have made in the trans 
 action, in which your son and my niece were to be the par 
 ties disposed of, had induced me to hope for a speedy and 
 final settlement of the affair; but I am sorry to say. that 
 owing to some misadventure on the part of your son, the 
 bargain is likely to fail on your side. My niece, which 
 was the part of the concern for which I stood engaged, is 
 still substantial and ready for delivery, when the equivalent 
 shall be forthcoming, and the demand made. 
 
 Your son, it appears, after having, by much management, 
 embezzled the esteem, or love, or heart, or whatever you 
 women s-men choose to call it, of my niece, has become a 
 defaulter and decamped from the premises, leaving her in a 
 very destitute and forlorn state. She will not leave her 
 own chamber; and as she scarcely makes use of an infant s 
 allowance of nourishment, I fear that her health will give 
 way, if it has not already done so, under the pressure of this 
 unexpected shock. 
 
 As the head and principal manager of the firm from whose 
 deficiency in the stock of proper conduct our present em 
 barrassments have arisen, I call upon you, as you value the
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 113 
 
 honor and standing of your establishment, as well as the 
 
 cr dii and prosperity of ours, to make all exertions to pro 
 cure the needful, and by promptly acquitting yourselves of 
 vo.ir obligations, relieve us out of our present distresses. 
 
 Your due attention to these matters, is earnestly requested 
 at as early a day as you can command. 
 
 am, with proper consideration, your most obedient ser- 
 v: ;it, .Hour. \V AI.WOUTJI." 
 
 I am indeed sorry that Miss Walworth has taken this 
 mailer so much to heart," said Charles, replacing the, very 
 classical epistle- he had been reading,upon the table. "But 
 1 cannot see \vhy so much blame should be attached to ei- 
 th, r you or me. in the affair. For my part, I stand pledged 
 to her for the performance of no engagement whatever; 
 and, mv dear lather, pardon me, when I make use of an ex 
 pression, which 1 apply solely to this banker s interference, 
 1 have no notion whatever of being 1 in this manner bullied 
 imp a marriage." 
 
 Charles," observed his father, more mildly than he ex- 
 pi ;ted, tiiis letter is addressed to me. Its stvle may not 
 h( exactly what a pupil of Trinity College would consider 
 su ted to the subject, but it conveys explicitly enough the 
 meaning of the honest man who wrote- it, and is designed 
 oidy to call upon me, who have pledged myself to forward 
 tin- intended connexion with all my influence, to exert that, 
 in.iuence in procuring your consent to it. Now, Charles, 
 what I have to say on the subject is this; 1 know that love 
 can never be produced by an exertion of authority or by the 
 u>!-. of threats, and since yon have satisfied me that you 
 ha\e not, as is reported, acted meanly towards Miss Wal 
 worth, 1 am not now disposed to use either. But 1 would 
 re-commend you to think seriously, and as a man of feeling, 
 U| on the situation of the lady who has evidently become 
 at; iclird to you; and 1 know so much of the tender pas 
 sions, that I have more reliance upon your becoming im 
 pressed favorably towards her on account of what sin- feels 
 f o }ou, than from the fear of any threats or displeasure 1 
 might exercise.- to enforce your compliance. I wish you, 
 tl< Telore, my son, not to drop ih<- intercourse you have
 
 114 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 lately held with her. Visit her as before, that you may 
 put a stop to the malicious exultation of those who now feel 
 a triumph in her supposed desertion, and if possible, incline 
 your feelings to think tenderly of her." 
 
 "1 shall visit her, my father," replied Charles, "in obe 
 dience to your commands ; but I trust that your <rood sense 
 will not, in the meantime, require any further promise from 
 me." 
 
 Charles accordingly did visit her. He found her melan 
 choly, discontented, and irritable ; evidently suii erinu under 
 the tortures of wounded pride, as. well as of disappointed 
 love. 
 
 " Captain Adderly," said she, "you have given that, cox 
 comb .Morley a triumph over me, which it was ungenerous 
 in you to allow. But that is of no consequence ; this tri 
 umph I cm well bear, nav, ! can hear without much ai>-tm\ 
 the scandal of tea-tables, and the contempt of the world, thai 
 you have procured me, but 1 cannot bear your disdain with 
 out sinkino- under it. It is now too late to say that I do not 
 love you, but, I will entreat nothing from you. It is kind in 
 you to visit me. jt may rescue me from the contempt o! 
 my enemies : and on your part, it shows compassion : but. 
 alas! what is compassion from you without love." 
 
 Charles occasionally visited tiiis young lady durinsr the 
 winter; but he took care not to take the snme liberties with 
 her as formerly. She for a time continued rather to declini 
 in health, as his visits, cold and formal as thev were, inspired 
 her with just sufficient hopes to add the pang s of suspens< 
 to those of disappointment. At length Charles supposed 
 that, if all uncertainty in respect to him were removed iron; 
 her mind, her reason might assist her pride to overcome he; 
 tenderness, and produce her recovery. 
 
 tie accordingly, one day that he felt very much affected 
 with her condition, addressed her in a more confidents 1 
 tone than usual. 
 
 " Miss Walworth," said he, "I have for some time past 
 been impressed with the idea that you really believe I lee 
 some aversion towards you. But I assure you, 1 have n< 
 such feeling. I am not blind to your various excellences
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 1J5 
 
 I see them, and I esteem and admire them nay, there is 
 only one of your sex in ihe world who possesses more of 
 my admiration. Ah! if it were not lor her dear image pre- 
 o. cupy mir all my heart, it miidit, in all probability, have 
 no- ;i.;o yours, for next to her, J am persuaded you 
 a i : i" only \voman whom I ever saw, that 1 miyht have 
 I e:i brought to love. But after having seen her, it is im- 
 p is.-ible 1 can ever love, another. Thus, Miss Walworth, 
 you see the f-stecm 1 have i or you, by the confidence I now 
 ivpose in you : and you also see the utter impossibility of 
 inv having returned you that tenderness and affection with 
 which you have been pleased to honor me. !5ut> believe 
 me, I never for a moment, felt disposed to triumph over you 
 (HI account of your showing me your attachment. Such 
 f eliiiirs I know to be beyond our own control; and because 
 vm must be convinced that they are so, I hope you will be 
 tic more ready to pardon mv seeming indifference for those 
 attractions which the whole world acknowledges, and to 
 v. Inch 1 never was blind." 
 
 " 1 feel, alas!" said she, that these feelings are indeed 
 1 j yond our control. I thank, sincerely thank you, for this 
 C Hitidencc. 1 set; now the barrier that separated us, and 
 eive that it can never be overcome. I shall try, there 
 fore, to stniuii le with my destiny: and 1 trust shall yet be 
 ; ble to view vou in a li<_ r ht, in which, 1 believe, you will 
 : . iibnl me reciprocil v, that of a true and faithful friend." 
 
 Happy, happy shall 1 be ever to consider you such," 
 lie replied ; "and i pray heaven soon to restore you to that 
 health and tranquillity of mind which will promise me the 
 ions: enjoyment of such a blessing." 
 
 Miss Walworth did speedily recover after this period ; 
 
 rid I may here mention, for my reader s satisfaction, that 
 Me constancy of the enamored Morley, who. instead of tri- 
 
 mphinir. as she supposed lie would, at her disappointment, 
 lad really sympathi/ed in her allliction, and had stood her 
 !(l\ocale amidst all the slander that was heaped upon her, 
 Made such an impression on her mind, that she rewarded 
 him with her hand about a year after the recoverv of her 
 health and tranquillity. I may also add, that her affliction
 
 116 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 having" had the salutary effect of curing; her of a great por 
 tion of her pride, she became an excellent wife, a tender 
 mother, and an amiable member of society. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Sooner shall the eagle of heaven be torn from the stream of his roaring 
 wind, when he sees the dim prey before him, the young sons of the 
 hounding roe, than tliou, Cathmor, be turned from the strife of renown. 
 
 OSSIAN. 
 
 TIIF. pleasing sensations experienced during the spring 
 months, when nature resumes all the fascinating- softness 
 and beauty of her original youth, it has been long and often 
 observed, have a wonderful effect in disposing the minds of 
 all, especially of lovers, to unusual tenderness and fervor. 
 Affections that seemed before to be as strong, faithful, fond, 
 and endearing, as the human heart is capable of feeling, ap 
 pear now to become at least more restlessly and actively so; 
 and separation from a beloved object, which the force of 
 reason might, at other times, have enabled us to endure, in 
 this seductive season becomes often intolerable. 
 
 It was, perhaps, owing to this mysterious influence of the 
 sweet season, that Charles Adderly, although it certainly 
 could not be said that his affection tor Maria had sustained, 
 or was capable of sustaining any increase, in the spring of 
 1755, felt unusual anxiety to behold her. To inform his 
 lather of his wishes, with a view to obtain his permission 
 to return to the western woods, he knew would be fruitless, 
 and miirht be injudicious, by affording a motive, in case of 
 any favorable opportunity offering to facilitate his return, of 
 forbidding him to embrace it.
 
 THE \VILUEK\CS8. 117 
 
 Charles secretly contemplated the occurrence of such an 
 opportunity, in the march of a British army to act against 
 Fort ])u Quesne, the landing of which on the shores of 
 America was every day expected. Nor was it long until he 
 heard the joyful intelligence of a respectable armament of 
 European soldiers under General Braddock having reached 
 the shores of Virginia, with the avowed intention of pro 
 ceeding against the French lie immediately solicited, and 
 not, it is true, without some diiliculty, obtained his father s 
 consent to join this army as a volunteer. Elated with the 
 prospect of soon again seeing his beloved, and assisting to 
 expel the enemy from her neighborhood, he hastened to 
 Alexandria, where Braddock had agreed to meet a conven 
 tion of the different governors of the colonies, in order to 
 settle the plan of the campaign. 
 
 Ileie Charles met with his former commander, Colonel 
 Washington, whom Braddock, anxious to employ in the in 
 tended service, had appointed one of his aids-de-camp. This 
 gentleman s friendship and influence soon procured for him 
 the appointment of captain of one of the Virginia ranging com 
 panies that were to be attached to the army, and Charles 
 being thus fixed to his satisfaction, impatiently awaited the 
 day when the troops should be ordered to inarch. 
 
 After various, and to Charles, extremely vexatious delays, 
 occasioned by the difficulty of obtaining sufficient supplies 
 of provisions, waggons, and other articles necessary for the 
 expedition, the army at length was put in motion, and pro 
 ceeded to a fort at Will s Creek, afterwards called Fort 
 Cumberland, which was the most western post then held 
 by the English on the continent. From this place there 
 v as no road on which the waggons could pass, and it began 
 to be feared that the delay which would be necessary to cut 
 <ne through such an exceedingly woody and rough country, 
 v ould allow the enemy time to collect such a force as might 
 endanger the success of the enterprise. The army, how- 
 (. ;ver ronr.igeously .struggled with all obstacles, until it had 
 advanced as far as the Great Meadows, where the difficulties 
 of the way were found to increase so much, that General 
 Braddock, who had at first rejected the advice of Washing 
 ton to carry only such baggage as could be taken forward on
 
 118 THE WILDERNESS, 
 
 horses, and 1o leave his long dilatory train of wagons be 
 hind, was now compelled to adopt it so far as to bring on 
 wards only the light waggons and tumbrels. 
 
 Still anxiously aware oi the necessity of expedition to 
 wards securing the success of the enterprise, Washington 
 also advised the general to press forward, with all haste, with 
 a chosen body ol troops, and only such stores, artillery, and 
 ammunition, as were of immediate and prime necessity. His 
 reasons for this advice were, that the French were now weak 
 on the Ohio, but were in momentary expectation of re 
 inforcements ; that during the present drought, these reinforce 
 ments could not pass down the Alleghany river, but, that if 
 the march were protracted by waiting to bring forward the 
 whole army and baggage, sufficient rains to raisf the waters 
 might come on, by which means the gairison at Du Quesne 
 might receive their expected succours before it should be 
 attacked, and might in consequence be able to sot all the 
 force of the expedition at defiance. 
 
 These considerations agreed well with the liery nature of 
 General Braddock. Twelve hundred of his best troops were 
 accordingly selected, at the head of whom he proceeded with 
 what baggage and military stores could be carried on horses 
 and in a few light vehicles, as rapidly as possible to the 
 place of destination. With the residue of the army, Colonel 
 Dunbar was left at the Great Meadows, with instructions to 
 follow with them and the heavy baggage in the re;xr. by sl uv . 
 and easy marches, 
 
 It was about the latter part of June when this select eorpg. 
 moved from the Great Meadows. It proceeded on with as- 
 much celerity as the numerous impediments of the country 
 would permit; but, although divested of every unnecessary 
 incumbrance, and although the soldiers were encouraged to 
 high alacrity and zeal by the almost certain anticipation of 
 soon lodging themselves in Fort Du Quesne for neither 
 General Braddock nor his regular troops, could suppose 
 that there was any enemy then in the country able to resist 
 them yet it was not ui:til the eighth of July that they came 
 within sight of the ford below Turtle Creek, where they 
 M ere to cross the Monongahela. Herejthey .stopped a few 
 hours to refresh themselves before they should attempt thf
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 119 
 
 i < (!, expecling the next day to he in possession of Tort I)u 
 
 -!H . 
 
 ilow (lid Charles s heart heat, when casting Ins delighted 
 v.;:w over the expanse of tliis nohle river, he beheld the 
 s loke cv.rlino; from ihe dwelling of his Maria, and thought 
 tiiat in a i e\v hours he might ibid her to his bosom. There 
 \ . as aiso another individual in the army oi still higher rank 
 eminence than Charles, whose heart, equally throbbed 
 v. hen he beheld the spot v.hieh contained this sweet ilower 
 of the \\ iidemess : this was the noble-souled Washington, 
 vho loved Maria witii a passion never exceeded in i aiih, fer 
 vor, intensity, and disinterestedness, by any that ever man 
 i it for woman. lint although the heart of this truly devo- 
 l i! lover, as from a distance lie contemplated the abode of 
 \.:: c wiio reigned within it, fell a throb as warm, and keen, 
 ;.:id rapturous as any that could be felt by Charles, yet that 
 throb, iliou rii equally rapturous, was not equally unmingled 
 \\iiii sorrow ior he-, alas, anticipated no affectionate embrace, 
 i.o tender glance, indicative of mutual love, and reciprocal 
 i: latitude to heaven for the joyful meeting. The delight of 
 Main beholding and conversing with her, and perhaps a 
 hope that he mi<_ r ht not converse in Vain, (for what lover 
 (els not such hope) however, actuated and inspired his mind, 
 : nd he also trusted that now was come the time when she 
 should be no longer endangered by the vicinity of a lawless 
 and sav:ii>e hie. 
 
 Hut this \()iin hero fell a sadness intermix itself with 
 these feelings of delight, which sadness arose; not altogether 
 iroin his consciousness oi not po.->sessiiii> Maria s love. It 
 was "ready occasioned by some circumstances attending the 
 march of the army that was to expel the foe from her vicin 
 ity: lor he knew the wily nature of the foe, and he grieved 
 .nuch to see the rashness of the general by whom that gal- 
 ,11)1 army was led on to the encounter. 
 
 When at Will s Creek, he had taken tin; liberty to caution 
 ; he L eneral on this subject. In plnce ol marching carelessly 
 aloiii. , m one body, through a thick forest, every where 
 ntersected wilh delis ,\nd dingles, and ravines, affording 
 :iirkinir places for an ambushed enemy, lie earnestly recom 
 mended that scouts and rangers should be sent forward on
 
 1*20 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 the course of their march, to scour the country, by which 
 means any ambuscade that niiuht be formed for them would 
 be discovered, ami peihaps rooted out, before the army can,, 1 
 upon it unnwa, 
 
 ikaddock who, alihov.o-h a brave man, soems to have been 
 very deficient is: ih; i :::-ompt sajjacitv which is necessary to 
 form ;> a ood o-eneral. despised tliis acl\iec; nay, it is said, 
 tliat he had the liiticiu-ss of mind to reply to ii in terms ol 
 contempt for the you;h and inexperience of him who iravr 
 it. 
 
 Vfashington, whom love, patriotism, humanity, and every 
 oiis motive that can actuate the mind of man, render 
 ed zealous for the sucsess of the enterprise, easily fora ave 
 these contemptuous expressions; but when he reilect. 
 the d .v:ulful conseqiN nee.- uf a defei i, not 10 the armv alone 
 luit also 10 ;he e .id to her whom lie loved above all 
 
 i ; !i:i_s. ji:> he.ir; all r. , cour . and fear- 
 
 . v.-ithin him, and he- could not help 
 
 in ;: .1 presentiment of some fatal result, against which their 
 leader seernecl loo c;ireless or too hau<>;hfy to provide. 
 
 "Alas!" thought he, as a few days before the army left 
 the Great [Meadows, fte contemplated the ;\ppearancc of the 
 <rallant and well-disciplined soldiers of Uritain, as liiey mo 
 ved before Itiiu throuirh their various evolutions on parade; 
 into what destruction mav not ili(> im prudence of your com- 
 rnander plunge YOU! Ah, what will a\ ail your unrivalled 
 discipline, and your invincible courage, if his headstrong- 
 rashness acts as your evil genius, and drives you foolishly, 
 barbarously, and uselessly into some abyss of ruin, where 
 neither courage nor discipline can serve you! And you, 
 my country, of what dreadful consequence would such an 
 event be to you! Your peaceful citizens would then, in 
 deed, feel tenfold the horrors that they have ever yet felt, 
 from the bloody tomahawk and the scalping-knife of the ra 
 pacious and savage foe. And then, O thou beloved of my 
 heart! thou fairest, -purest, dearest object of this visible cre 
 ation! ah, it mav be that thou wilt be the. first to suffer! alas. 
 it may be thai thou hasi already suffered for the friendship 
 of thy family towards me. Or. oh God, it may be that, some 
 lawless, licentious Frenchman mav have been excited to
 
 THE WILDERNESS. I ^l 
 
 h -.rriblc lust for the possession of thy incomparable charms 
 ;i:ul may have made thee llic helpless. perhaps the mangled 
 victim of some diabolical deed: Oh (Jod ! Oh (rod! sup- 
 p >rl me under the agony of such an idea ! 
 
 The blood quickened in his veins at the horrid thought : 
 and liie force of these disagreeable contemplations, taken al 
 together, produced upon his frame, manly and vigorous as 
 ii was. such an effect that he fell into a raging fever. While 
 I . 1 was laboring under this malady, the troops marched, and 
 tiie coinmander-in-chief, who. notwithstanding he contcmn- 
 e;i hi- advice as to the management of the expedition, es- 
 t cnu .1 him hi^ nlv, let i strict injunctions upon him not. on 
 any account to follow them until he should be recovered. 
 
 The second day after their departure, however, although 
 1 is fever still continued, and the physician declared that his 
 ; dherinir to the army would endanger his life, his anxiety 
 of mind concerning the fate of the expedition, which was 
 now hastening towards the residence of his beloved, was 
 > >ich, that no consideration could prevent him from follow 
 ing it, which he did in a covered wajro-on. Both duty and 
 
 >ve impelled him to this step. For he had within him a 
 ! clino- \vhicli told him that it might be in his power, if not 
 
 i prevent the general from adopting rash measures, at least 
 
 i ii ssen their disastrous consequences. This violent effort 
 , esiored energy to his mind, and he overtook the army the 
 May before ii readied the ford at Turtle (/reek. From the 
 
 outh bank of the Monongahela, on which the troops had 
 descended for the last lour or live days, having before cross 
 ed the river above the i ouhiegany, as lie beheld the undis- 
 urbed appearance of Fra/ier s dwelling, his hopes whis 
 pered that all was yet safe with its inmates, and he became 
 rreatly tranquilized, and resumed the performance of his 
 Inty on horseback. 
 
 While stationed here, and until die van had about half 
 rossed the ford, not an individual in the army dreamed of 
 meeting with any opposition until they should re.uch Du 
 Quesne; for as to Washington s feelings on the subject, they 
 arose from a sajraciou*; calculation of the advantages which 
 the imprudence ol Uraddock would allow to the crafty foes 
 he was to encounter, if tbev should lie in ambush for him.
 
 122 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 rather lhan from any prophetic certainty that there would ho 
 an ambush laid. Nay, lie at this moment, began to entertain 
 strong hopes that the eneinv might, on this occa.-ion, contrary 
 to their usual practice, neglect to proiit by the advance 
 which was thus afforded them. 
 
 Tliese hopes, however, were but short lived. His anti 
 cipations of the worst were but too soon fatally realized, and 
 this joyous and high-minded army experienced, at this place, 
 a disaster which sent half their number, and their rash jjcu- 
 oral along with them, to eternity ; and from which, it re 
 quired all the wisdom, energy, and heroism of Washington, 
 to rescue the remainder. 
 
 But before proceeding to detail the circumstances of the 
 celebrated and calamitous Battle which occasioned this disas 
 ter, I beg permission, in order to give the reader a clearer 
 view of it, to describe the ground on which it was fought. 
 
 The stream of the Monongahela, at this place, runs nearly 
 from east to west, while ihat of Turtle (/reek, issuing out of 
 a narrow and deep glen, enters it from the northward. This 
 glen widens in its approach to the river, in consequence of 
 its western ridge diverging from the Crek. and gradually 
 swelling backwards from it, from a quailei to half a mile. 
 It continues this hearing of its sumnii:, at a similar distance 
 from the Monongahela, for about half a mile down it, throw 
 ing off, as it. descends tow-mis it, three or four well-marked, 
 but gently declining tables of fertile land, the lowermost of 
 which forms a level bottom of considerable breadth, extend 
 ing alonjr the river where the ford is situated. About three 
 quarters of a mile below Turtle Creek this bottom ends, llie 
 banks were becoming high and precipitous, which is their 
 general character on the north side, and for a considerable 
 wav also on the south until they reach Pittsburgh, where 
 Fort j)u Quesne, at trie lime of the transactions here narra 
 ted, the reader need scarcely be reminded, was situated. 
 
 It was on the first of these tables, or flats of land, which 
 ajises from that adjoining the river, that the principal des 
 truction of Braddock s troops took place, and the spot is, r.t 
 least half a mile below the mouth of Turtle Creek. Its 
 breast, or front towards the river, is a steep acclivity, elnvat ."!
 
 THK WILDERNESS. 123 
 
 i. om twenty to thirty feet above the adjacent flat, and em- 
 M] between two gullies running nearly parallel to each 
 
 :lii r, about three hundred yards apart, and forming a square 1 
 portion of ground of eight or ten acies, gradually ascending 
 !>ackwards for eight or nine hundred yards, to where another 
 ;:dile elevates its front above the battle-ground, somewhat be 
 hind which, the high summit of the sky-covered ridge over- 
 ; >ps all. 
 
 It was in these gullies ihat the Indians laid iheir fa.tal am 
 bush, amidst trees, long grass, thick shrubs, rind various other 
 kinds of close, concealing undergrowth, which completely 
 -creened them from the view of their victims. The ground 
 itself was covered with long grass, interspersed with many 
 trees, but containing very little underwood. The vegetation 
 on the subjacent bottom was much of the same description, 
 beiiiir perhaps a little more thick set with brush and under- 
 growth. 
 
 Standing at the present d.iy on this gr-.iund, v. h n-h is now 
 
 called " [iraddock s Field, a most, pleasing landscape, not 
 
 "erv extensive it i* true, bus certainly very romantic, varie- 
 
 d, :>.nd comfortable in its aspect, strikes the view. To 
 
 he north, the ridge already mentioned, rises above you to 
 :he west, the view down the river is limited by the hijrli 
 
 >anks a :-o already mentioned. Directly south, the broad 
 expanse of the Mononffaheln, about a half a mile over, lies 
 glittering belore you. whili. 1 from its fnstiier bank, the bank 
 on which liraddock s army halted belbi-e attempting the ford, 
 the land rises graduallv and iertildy, without leaving an ex 
 tensive margin, as it dors on the north side. 
 
 I o the eastward the eve can ascend the river for about a 
 mile and a half above Turtle ( reek, for which distance, as 
 the banks "Tadually withdraw from the river ou each side, 
 they impart to the fancy of the spectator a scene resembling 
 some ot the more comfortable descriptions of a highland 
 
 I L^ 
 
 glen, L r iven by some of the late romantic writers of Scotland. 
 luf perhaps the most picturesque, feature in the whole 
 1 andscap e, is the winding stream ol Turlle ( Ireek. above whose 
 junction with the Monongahela, the highland-looking glen 
 just mentioned, properly begins. This stream issues, as has 
 been said, from a <r\cn northward of the river. When it first
 
 124 THE WILDERNKSS. 
 
 flows out of the gap of the glen, its course is about south 
 west: but, when within a quarter of a, mile of the river, it 
 changes its direction to the south-east, forming by that means 
 a kind of peninsula or point of land, lying between it and the 
 river, in the shape of a triangle, which triangle consists alto 
 gether of a level river bottom of rich land of three or four 
 hundred acres, and is the identical spot where our friend Gil 
 bert Frazier had made his residence. 
 
 The wild and sylvan appearance of this interesting valley 
 in " Braddock s Times," is now changed by the hand of in 
 dustry to one more rural and more gratifying to the eye oi 
 the philanthropist. In those Times one solitary dwelling, 
 that of Frazier, was alone to be seen. Now, on both sides 
 of the river, as far as the view can extend, numerous plea 
 sant residences, some of which are, even elegant, surrounded 
 with flourishing plantations, decorate the scene, and sug 
 gest pleasing reflections to everv heart that wishes well to 
 humanity.
 
 1HK \\ir.DER\KSS. 1*25 
 
 CHAPTER XT. 
 
 TI> toll red F- loddeir.-; dismal talo, 
 \inl rai^e tli" linn < r.vii wail :" 
 Tradition, legend, tnno and, 
 Sli-ill m.-iiiv an a ;ro that wail prolo 
 Still front the sire the sun shall hear, 
 Of the slern strife and carmine drear 
 
 Of Hodden s fatal fie 
 
 When shivered was fair Scotland s spear, 
 And bi oken was iier si 
 
 ^COTT. 
 
 situati Mi of the French garrison at. Fort ])u Qu: sue 
 the spring 1 MP,;! c::irlr part of the sr, minor of 1755, 
 ATIS ratlier perplexing and precarious. .Mon>. i)o N i iiors, 
 ,,-h;) liad succooded St. Pierre as iis o-ovornor, had at this 
 iino only about four hundred French soldiers under his 
 oiimiand, \\\c remainder of those tliat had i ouhi at the 
 iJreal Meadows havinjr l)(>eu detached to other forts. He 
 ad -:iken "T"a; pains, it is true, to conciliate the Indians, 
 nd had in reality succeeded in acquiring over die different 
 ril>es ! vast iniluence. Siiil they wore too lit li.- under his 
 ind were loo restless a;r.i roviu in their iia nis to 
 
 he wished to possess. lie had. therefore, repealedlv wril- 
 
 :en to the Canadian i> o-, eminent, for succors: and as soon 
 
 s the season permitted, that ofovernment had made exer- 
 
 iims io send forward to him hoth a reinforcement of men, 
 
 ml a supply of provisions and military stores. 
 
 These, however, had not trot down from l,e Bcp.uf before 
 he t-dlinir of the waters, and Do \ illiers could not now ov- 
 ,)ecl lliem hefore the waters should a^ain rise. A few days 
 rain, he kn* W. would produce that, ollocl, and for this he 
 iad in vain, with threat anxietv. waited for several weeks. 
 Matters were in this slate at the garrison, when, ahout the 
 leo-inniii" of .Inlv some fndinns informed him of the rip-
 
 126 THE WILBKRXESS. 
 
 proach of Braddoek. Ho immediately pent out three or 
 i our trusty scouts to watch the motions of the British, and 
 soon received mlcUi-renee that they had cropped to the south 
 sine of the Alononsrahela. He then perceived that iheir in 
 tention \vr by the way ol Turtle ( reck, there 
 beip.o- no other fordin<r. place between thai and !)u Qti< -siic. 
 
 To dispute 1 the passage with them was his lirst intention, 
 hut resolving to view die ground before he concluded on ids 
 measures, lie for the first time, paid a visit to Fra/iers, 
 where lie unhappily beheld, wilh surprise and adniiratior. 
 the charms of Maria. A violent passion for that v.i. 
 nate yoiin .> women immediately seized upon his sold. The 
 hurried and alarming nature of the crisis, however, imperi 
 ously demanding all his attention, prevented him from at 
 that lime declaring it; but he resolved to do so as soon as 
 the approaching contest should bo decided. J?e \ illiors 
 was a widow-"! e,f about thirl v . ears of a (re. of ;, -finpe 
 bold, sano uine, and irritable, ami a man who permiuod !io 
 scruples of reii<; ion "r morality to stand in tlie way of bis 
 gratifications. 
 
 On viewing the ford, ho perceived at. once that he had not 
 a force sullicient !o contest its passage to any ffood purpose, 
 with the army that lie understood was coming against him. 
 lie therefore resolved to adopt another plan, in which the 
 Indians could render him efficient service, as bcin<r more 
 suited to their inodo of warfare. This was- > form 
 buscade, into which the British minlit be ensnared to their 
 destruction, lie accordingly selected the ground we have 
 before described for that purpose ; and, as in case oi its 
 failure, he did not wish his garrison to bo much weakened, 
 he resolved chiefly to omplov Indians in the all air. 
 
 He returned to the fort, and having assembled about four 
 hundred Indians, who were all excellent marksmen, he in 
 formed them of his design, and received their ready assent 
 to put it into execution. To each oi these Indians he gave 
 two loaded riiles and eighteen charges of powder and ball. 
 With these riiles over their shoulders, and their tomahawks 
 and scalping-knives slun<r by their sides, these warriors pro 
 ceeded on the evening of the 8th of July from the fort, to the; 
 place of ambush, in order to lay it during the niuhi. as the
 
 THE WILDERNESS. JVJ7 
 
 liritish were expected to cross the lord the next day. l)e 
 \ illiers, at the head of a hundred of his best French soldiers 
 ; rnnrpiiiiied them. Before the Indians departed, they as- 
 f- -mbled outside the fort, and loudly (-haunted the following 
 
 1f\tr Song. 
 
 Soii of warriors! bold and braw. 
 
 Now we haste against the foe, 
 Now like warriors we ll behave, 
 And lav the fell invaders low. 
 We ll lay them mangled in the dust; 
 Their bones shall rot 
 I pon the spot ; 
 
 Their flesh what wolves and panthers span-. 
 Shall yield corruption to the air; 
 
 The arms we bear not, off, shall rust, 
 
 Which when our sons and daughters find. 
 As through the woods they chase the deer. 
 
 They ll call our valiant deeds to mind. 
 And say " our fathers conquered here!" 
 
 Sons of warriors! now be strong, 
 
 Hurry to the ;j!orions : tril e, 
 Drive the leaden showers alonir, 
 
 And fiercely wield the scalping knife; 
 J]o!d children we of warlike race! 
 Our :-harpciied steel 
 Their hearts shall feel : 
 Our tomahav, ks shall pierce their brain. 
 Who dare to meet us on the plain, 
 
 And think us from that land to chase, 
 
 Which Manelo. the mighty, trave. 
 And which our fathers ne er would yield { 
 Are we Ir.-n strong ! are we less brave! 
 No! soon we ll jiro\e it on the fick! 
 
 " Ver.. eanci . . : : anco ! sous of war " 
 
 Hark, our murdered fathers (.TV 
 " Steel your souls, and drive afar 
 
 The execrated enemy ! 
 For merciless, with lire and sword. 
 The v lieree] v conn- 
 To work vour doom, 
 As ours, in fnnner da_\s, they wrought, 
 Whi-n f(.r our ualhe land \\ e fmi^ht 
 Jint \eivjeance no\\ von wi!! allord ! 
 All, :Maueto! hear, hear our vow ! 
 Suit l to a\eiiLre our fathers i;,t(. ; 
 
 We ll stendv haste with I urv now, 
 Tn dust to trainf) the foes we hate !
 
 128 THE WILDKRNE89. 
 
 De Villiers arrived at the destined spot long before day 
 break. He gave the Indians the necessary instructions how 
 to act, and having placed two hundred of them in each of 
 the Bullies before noticed, he waited with his French troops 
 at some distance, also concealed, for the approach of the 
 enemy. 
 
 It was about noon when the British, having taken some 
 refreshment upon the southern bank of the river, General 
 Braddock gave orders for passing 1 over. His van, compo 
 sed of some light companies, and a company of grenadiers, 
 to the number of three hundred men, when about half way 
 over, were unexpectedly fired upon by a small party of 
 French, who showed themselves among the trees near the 
 bank. On firing, this parly immediately retired back from 
 the river, and Braddock ordered his van to hasten after 
 them. On perceiving this affair, Colonel Washington rode 
 up to the commander-in-chief, and begged him not to follow 
 the French, as evidently such a small number of troops, 
 acting as they did, by just showing themselves and retiring, 
 wciv only intended as a decoy into some ambuscade. 
 
 " My orders are to pursue these fellows," returned Brad- 
 dock; "and colonel Washington I have not been so long a 
 soldier, I hope, without knowing how to lead an army over a 
 ford not more than a knee deep, in the face of a stronger op 
 position than a few Frenchmen, without asking advice from 
 any man. I shall ask your opinion when I think I need it." 
 
 Washington made no reply. He only sighed as he per 
 ceived General Gage, who commanded the van, leading it on, 
 after he had gained the shore in pursuit of a few Frenchmen, 
 who even if they were either destroyed or captured, could af 
 ford no laurels to the victors. 
 
 "Alas !" said he, riding forward to Captain Adderly, who 
 was leading on his company of Virginia rangers. " This 
 is indeed madness I am afraid we shall pay dear for it. We 
 must do our duty, however." 
 
 " I shall obey your directions alone, Colonel," replied Ad 
 derly, " to-day, as 1 know they will not be inconsistent with 
 my duty." So said all the Virginia Captains. At that in 
 stant, Braddock, at the head of the main body, had gained 
 the beach, and the order was given for the whole to follow
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 129 
 
 in the track that had been taken by the van. Washington 
 r> \v a signal lor the Provincials to advance; for he deter 
 mined not to fnisake the regulars, although he so greatly dis- 
 i;;>pmved of their proceedings in thus inconsiderately plung 
 ing into a thick grassy wood, with which they were totally 
 i nacquainted, in pursuit of a few fugitive Frenchmen. 
 
 Keeping an anxious eye upon the motions of the soldiers 
 in the van, he soon observed them following the French up 
 the front of the table-ground between the gullies already des 
 cribed. Only a few scattering shots had been as yet fired 
 by the French, as they retreated, which were evidently in 
 tended to allure the British after them, between the gullies 
 .vher; 1 the Indians lay hidden, and silently watching for their 
 prey. In this they succeeded to their utmost wish. The 
 -in ascended the front of this piece of ground with alacrity, 
 .. id proceeded forward upon it for about thirty or forty paces, 
 isnc. rting and fearing nothing, when aH at once the dreadful 
 war-hoop was heard ; two hundred rifles from the ground on 
 their left, poured their destructive contents upon them, and 
 
 ie next instant, two hundred from the right imitated the ter 
 rible example. Two thirds of the van were now prostrated 
 to the earth. The firing for some minutes ceased, as the In 
 dians had now comparatively few objects against whom to 
 cirect it. Braddock conceiving the danger to be over, and 
 determine to avenge the slaughter of the van, and also anxious 
 !o rescue tiiose who still survived this murderous fire from 
 i he invi>ible assailants, ordered a large division of the main 
 bodv to ascend the height, and forming there in two parties, 
 *o rush with fixed bayonets into each of the ravines and drive 
 out or destroy tin 1 concealed enemy. This corps gallantly as- 
 Bended to the scene of death, when the firing was again opened 
 vith as much fury as before. At the same time, the survi- 
 
 ors of the van were attacked from above by the French, un 
 der I)e \ illiers, and they fell hastily back upon their com 
 panions, who were now fallen into too much confusion to 
 barge the enemy according to their instructions. Dreading 
 Mioliier volley, every man of them who had not fallen, has 
 tened back from the fatal spot to the lower ground in great 
 terror. 
 
 This panic was communicated to the whole of the regulars,
 
 
 130 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 who would soon have re-crossed the river in iiill flight, had 
 not their officers, by great exertions restrained them. Gen 
 eral Braddoek. who was now mad uith vexation, and rage, 
 rushed in amongst them, exhorting them to perseverance, 
 and they \\ero once more brought to stand their around. 
 
 At this crisis, Washington again interfered with his advice, 
 that the army should not attempt to dislodge the assailants, 
 but draw off from the reach of their fire, and continue their 
 route to Fort Du Quesne, without paying these concealed 
 enemies any more attention. 
 
 But Braddock was resolved to take another course. lie 
 detached about two hundred and fifty men round, at some 
 distance, by the left of the ambush ground, in order to come 
 upon the hidden enemy in another direction, expecting by 
 that means to have them surrounded, at least to get them 
 hemmed in between two fires. This movement, however, 
 was soon discovered by De Villiers, who seizing on a favor 
 able position, by which this detachmcrt, be knew, must pass, 
 met it there, and cut every man of it off, without on his side, 
 losing a single soldier. 
 
 In the meantime, Braddock was resolved to make a strong 
 er, and, as he conceived, an irresistible charge with his whole 
 force upon the enemy. He therefore called upon his troops 
 to come on a third time, and leading the way himself, he was 
 followed by his devoted soldiers, and the death-dealing ra 
 vines had victims on;-e more within their reach. 
 
 The French, however, were by this time employed with 
 the detachment that had been sent to take them in ilank. so 
 that Braddock s men in place of having, as before, to sustain 
 a fire from three different directions, had now to sustain it 
 only from t\vo, and would no doubt have dislodged the sava 
 ges from their concealment, had they boldly pushed upon 
 them withthe bayonet the moment they ascended the ground. 
 But instead of doing this, Braddock imprudently took time 
 to form them into two columns, with as much deliberation 
 and formality as if he were parading- them at a review in 
 Hyde Park. 
 
 The consequence of this slowness of motion was to re 
 store courage to the Indians, who, as they were not now 
 supported by the French, had felt some intimidation from
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 131 
 
 the eagerness with which the British seemed to approach 
 them, and scarcely expected any thing else than- destruction 
 in the very heart of their coverts. This pause, however, 
 restored their energy, and their mortal lire again opened upon 
 the troops. Here one half of Braddock s officers were killed, 
 he himself had three horses successively shot under him. 
 and his whole division soon began to lose that unfortunately 
 compact array, into which he had taken so much trouble to 
 form them, and which had only conduced to their more cer 
 tain destruction. In a short time they fell into absolute 
 confusion, and fled, some of them back to the lower ground, 
 and some forward to that lately occupied bv the French. 
 Braddock was carried back with the stream of those who 
 ed in the former direction, and near a spring immediate!) 
 cnc ath the point of the most western of the two ravines, 
 while attempting again to rally his broken troops, he had a 
 fourth horse shot under him, and while he was mounting 
 another, he received a bail in his breast. 
 
 The Indians had seen him fall, and about a hundred of 
 them rushed out of the adjoining ravine, in order to sei/e 
 him. Washington, resolving at all risks to save his com 
 mander from the bands of the savages, called forward Ad- 
 .lerly with his Virginians, who charged the Indians as they 
 were carrying oil the body. A voiles from the fatal ravine 
 soon prostrated nearly one half of Adderlv s men; but 
 Washington had by this time shot wiili a pistol one of the 
 Indians who was dragging Braddock to the ravine, and 
 plunged his sword into the body of another, when his horse 
 was killed under him. and a dozen of shots tired at his 
 head, some of which perforated his hat, and carried a\\a\ 
 its plumes and other parts of its decorations. Adderly see 
 ing his danger, rushed furiously forward with the remnant 
 of his company, to his rescue, and buried his sword in the 
 entrails of a savage who was levelling a murderous aim at 
 Washington, within a few feet, of him. The rifle went oil , 
 but its direction had been changed by Adderlv s blow, and 
 the bail onlv tore the epaulette oil Washington s left, shoul 
 der. In a moment \\ ashiugton was on another horse, when 
 perceiving that a number of Indians had again laid hold of 
 tin 1 wounded Braddock, he plunged in amon: 1 them with
 
 132 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 tremendous fury, and levelled three or four of them to ihe 
 earth with the irresistible sweeps of his broadsword. 
 
 Another vollev from the Indians, who perceived that until 
 he was destroyed, thev could not capture the jreneral, now 
 took place at his person. His horse was again shot, and 
 his coat perforated in five or six places : and Adderly s lew 
 surviving troops would not have been able to resist the rush 
 of Indians that was now made upon him, had not, another 
 Virginia company, commanded by a Captain Poulson, jjiven 
 its timely assistance, and the savages were once more driven 
 into their lurking 1 place, not, however, until they had un 
 horsed Captain Adderly, and carried him, together with five 
 or six of his men, with them. 
 
 Washington now had Braddock placed in a light tumbrel, 
 which was convenient, and sending it hastily off the field, 
 put himself at the head of the Virginians and such of the 
 regulars as yet stood their ground, in order to rescue a di\i- 
 sion which was still on the fatal height between the gullies, 
 the object of attack from the Indians on the eastern side. 
 This party, about one hundred and seventy in number, had, 
 at the time their companions lied back in confusion, rather 
 advanced forward to the ground lately occupied by the 
 French, so that they wore for some time a short distance 
 beyond the reach of the Indian lire, but attempting to return 
 to assist their companions during the struggle round Brad- 
 dock, the Indians in the eastern ravine so effectually fired 
 upon them that they were compelled to draw back. Their 
 presence, however, had the good effect of occupying these 
 Indians so as to prevent them from joining in the contest for 
 Braddock, in consequence of which the Virginians succeed 
 ed in his rescue. But Braddock was scarcely borne off the 
 field, when the situations of these men became extremely 
 dangerous. The French were seen returning in triumph 
 after the slaughter of the unfortunate detachment that had 
 been sent to take them in the rear, and the Indians in both 
 ravines, the contest for Braddock being now abandoned, 
 were impatiently waiting to shower upon them their de 
 structive balls as soon as they approached near enough to 
 be struck by them.
 
 THK WILDERNESS. 133 
 
 The active and vigilant eye of Washington soon perceived 
 their danger, and lie resolved to release them, or perish with 
 them. About two hundred of the regulars who could not 
 he rallied when they took to flight, had already recrossed 
 the river, but including his Virginians, there was still a force 
 of nearly three hundred on the ground. 
 
 "Come on, my brave soldiers!" said he, "we must 
 rescue our companions yonder from impending destruc 
 tion. If we only give sufficient employment to the savages 
 in any of these ravines, our soldiers may escape. Let us try 
 this eastern one, it appears the more easily assailable. Hark ! 
 the French above yonder have fired upon our men already, 
 At it, my boys, and every man do his.- best either by firing, 
 or by the bayonet, to destroy the savages. \Viden yuir ranks 
 the less compactly you rush on, the better Forward ! " 
 
 The soldiers gave a loud shout for they now felt confidence. 
 Their companions on the upper ground heard it, and return 
 ed it as a signal of co-operation. In a minute the eastern 
 ravine was attacked. The savages fired out of it, but killed 
 only about twelve of the assailants, for the latter were not 
 now in such close order as to prevent their balls from 
 missing. 
 
 "Keep these Indians in play, my brave fellows, for some 
 minutes, " cried Washington, " and with the blessing of God, 
 I shall soon return to you." 
 
 So saving he clapped spurs to his horse, and ascended be 
 tween the ravines at lull {light towards those he wished to 
 rescue. Three gallant fellows on horseback, named Peron- 
 ny, Burton, and Craig, voluntarily followed him. As he 
 passed the length of the ravines, a volley was fired at him 
 I rom that on the west, but he was at too great a distance 
 from it, to be hurt by it, The attention of the savages on 
 the east was at this time so much employed in resisting the 
 ;iUack of the troops, that they scarcely attended to him. 
 Several of them, however, fired at him and his followers, 
 two of whom, Peronny and Burton were killed; but the 
 f-wiftness of Washington s horse, or rather the protecting 
 hand of a kind providence, saved him to his country. 
 
 The troops to whom he advanced received him with a 
 heer. "Follow me rapidly," said he to thorn ; "keep on
 
 134 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 this side, and shoot every savage you can see as you fly 
 past but delay for nothing " He immediately turned his 
 horse, and galloped out of the dangerous ground, followed 
 by the whole party who discharged their muskets into the 
 eastern ravine, as they passed it with all their speed. They 
 only received some scattering shots from the savages, which 
 killed but one or two of their number. 
 
 "To the bank of the river now, my brave men!" cried 
 Washington, to the whole of the troops. 
 
 They obeyed him, and in a few minutes, he there formed 
 them into ranks, and ordered them to reload their pieces, as 
 he perceived that the Indians manifested a disposition to 
 pursue them. On seeing the .British thus prepared to receive 
 them, however, on open ground, neither the savages nor the 
 French thought proper to advance; and the troops were 
 safely conducted to the other side of the river, where they 
 were soon rejoined by those who had previously fled from 
 the engagement. 
 
 On reviewing the reliques of that fine body of men, which, 
 only a few hours before this disastrous affair, expected thai 
 very evening to expel the enemy from Fort Du Quesne, it 
 was found that out of twelve hundred, very little more than 
 live hundred remained, and of the officers only twenty out 
 of the eighty-five \vhieh they numbered before the engage 
 ment, now survived. The artillery, all the military stores, 
 and baggage of every kind, and even the private cabinet of 
 General Braddock which contained his instructions, were 
 left in possession of the enemy. 
 
 Of the Indians it lias been ascertained that not more than 
 eight or ten were killed, and perhaps, as many wounded, 
 and of the French a still fewer number. They had taker, 
 nearly forty prisoners, independent of the wounded whc 
 could not retire with their companions, and whom thev 
 carried that evening into fort Du Quesne. 
 
 The defeated army being apprehensive that the French 
 would bring their whole force out of the fort to pursue them 
 that very evening began a precipitate retreat to the camp 01 
 Colonel Dunbar at the Great Meadows. As they were near 
 ly destitute of provisions, Colonel Washington, who seemed 
 to be the life of the whole party, hastened on before them
 
 Din WILDKRNESS. 135 
 
 HI order to procure some, as well as to oriler comfortable 
 accommodations for them when they should arrive. He 
 iirule such despatch that he reached DunbarVcamp the even 
 ing of the next day, procured the provisions, and by his in- 
 -.}< Utigable exertions, the wearied and disheartened remnant 
 c>: t hi-; iroops were brought forward in a i ew days without 
 cr.L e inir with any fresh disaster. 
 
 Shortly after his arrival at this place, the unfortunate Urad- 
 :<;ek died, and was buried on a hill, where his grave is Jo be 
 ri - eri to this day. 
 
 * HAPTEIi ML 
 
 Vmt \vhr-n my niphtly much ) try 
 
 Sure h:irr;iss"<i out with p;iiu and ynrl, 
 My t.(iil-l)niit nerves, am! tcar-wi n: < vo, 
 
 JV<M:JI \s ;it< -liiiiLrs with th<: jii^iilly thief. 
 * r, it I slumber, I nicy chicfj 
 
 Rcii/iss hajj^ini-wild, in sore, atiright: 
 Kc it d;iy, all Litter, hrintxs relief 
 
 From such a horror-breathing niirlit. 
 
 BURNS. 
 
 \T this disastrous realization of his worst anticipations, 
 Inn- did the heart of Washington bleed within him! h bled 
 n:ile :d severely . but it did not, as before the catastrophe, 
 s nlv under the pressure ot the calamity. There is in the 
 minds of men, especially of brave men, an elasticity which 
 oiten strengthens them, so as to bear up- against any misfor- 
 ti ne, however rreat, when it is actually present, hut which 
 tl H-s not always exert itself during the mere contemplation 
 ot an a()proactnnir evil. Or, perhaps, the imagination being 
 r:.ore actively employed in depicting the horrors of the evil
 
 136 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 before it conies, is apt to depict them m their most "loorny 
 and appalling colors, so deeply and so strongly that the 
 mind can scarcely endure the picture. But the calamity 
 being present, the mind, as it had nothing more to do, but to 
 suffer, submits, undoubtedly with pain, but often at the same 
 lime \viih fortitude. 
 
 Washington indeed felt keenly and sorrowfully on this 
 occasion. Nay, he had anticipations of the most heart 
 breaking kind, even yet, to agonise his soul. Alas ! he feared 
 that this defeat might be attended with the worst of conse 
 quences to his Maria. lie did not indeed suppose that the 
 Indians would ofl er any immediate violence to either herself 
 or her friends, with whom they haiMong lived on amicable 
 terms. But there was now no prospect of her soon being 
 rescued from that Wilderness of savages and licentious 
 Frenchmen, where every ihiirjf was ruled by violence and 
 caprice, and where he conceived that a beautiful young fe 
 male like her could not. even in the most tranquil times, IK; 
 a single day safe from insult. 
 
 During the whole of the battle, her imaire never had been 
 absent from Ins mind, and sadlv, sadly did he grieve that its 
 catastrophe was likejy 10 be such as to preclude the possi 
 bility of his enjoying only one minute s interview with her, 
 although her residence was in view of the very ground on 
 which he fought. 
 
 While mustering the defeated troops after conducting 
 them to the south shore of the river, he cast his anxious 
 eye across the stream, and beheld her, together with the 
 rest of Frazier s family, looking, he believed mournfully 
 looking, at the unfortunate army. lie imagined that she 
 distinguished him. He bowe^ his head as he sat on horse 
 back, and he had the happiness to see that she waved her 
 hand in return. Gilbert and his sons took off their fur caps 
 and also returned his salute. He even believed that he dis 
 cerned Gilbert, lifting his hands and face towards heaven, as 
 if to pray for his safety. Tlis heart burned within him to 
 visit them, but his duty compelled him to proceed almost 
 instantaneously for the Great Meadows. He again renewed 
 his obeisance to the family, and in a few minutes afterwards 
 set off.
 
 I HE WILDERNESS. 137 
 
 He hud scarcely proceeded out of view of the troops, 
 v. hen he heard a voice calling him by name. He stopped 
 his horse, and the prophet Tonnaleuka arose out of a thicket 
 rMat \\ a.- close by him. 
 
 "Beloved of heaven 1 / cried the prophet; "I will not, 
 detain yon., for 1 know your errand must be one of haste. 
 
 \las . ihis has been a calamitous day. I saw you escape 
 in safety, and I thank the Great Spirit. My son. Charles 
 
 ulderlv. has not been so fortunate! But to what the Great 
 ik-in j- orders, we must subniii. Farewell, my son I will 
 not detain YOU." 
 
 " Fa: her," said Washington, if tliou Invest me, oh. watch 
 e.er the safetv of Maria! Alas! she is too beauteous and 
 t"0 iender a flower to be sale amidst the storms of such a 
 desert. Let. me know, wherever i may be, if ausrht befalls 
 
 I .-! ." 
 
 I shall wutcii ever her," said file prophet, "and shall 
 1- t you know i! she be unfortunate. [ concealed myself 
 here that I might, salute and bless vou as you passed. Fare- 
 well, and may the God whom you worship still protect. 
 \ on, as he has done this dav!" 
 
 " Farewell, father," replied Washington, and the prophet 
 disappearing amonir the bushes, he continued his journey 
 \\ nil a heart greatly relieved by this short interview. 
 
 The feeiinirs of Maria, and indeed of all Fraxier s family, 
 d .rinir the- momentous scenes which had been that day acted 
 within their immediate view, may be easily imagined by any 
 reader of a <mod heart, who reiiects upon their circumstan- 
 c--s and situation. Gilberts whole soul was with his coun- 
 tr . men, and his heart wanned when he beheld their red 
 uniforms. 
 
 \h, .Nelly," said he. "they are something like Christian 
 soldiers. Th"v put me min o Ireland and Maughrvgowan. 
 O i. may God help them against the sav.;<_ r es !" 
 
 A nidi," said .\eir ; and she lifted her eyes to heaven, 
 U 1 add fervency to the prayer. 
 
 As to I addy Fra/ier and Doctor Killbreath, the vigilance 
 of the l reneh (irevente l ihem during the whole of the pre 
 ceding spring, from venturlnir to manifest their partiality for 
 he British can-- 1 bv anv active exertion in its tavor ; and
 
 138 THE W1LDKKNKSS. 
 
 during the whole of these transactions, they had preserved 
 a very prudent, though very reluctant neutrality. From the 
 accounts they had heard of the force that was coming a-.iinst 
 Fort i)u Qucsne, they indeed believed that, the British were 
 now strong enough to do their own business effectually with 
 out their assistance ; and from the appearance of the armv 
 when it approached, they were confirmed in this belief. 
 They knew nothing of the ambuscade, for it had been laid 
 in the nijjfht, and Do Viliiers had been so cautious as to 
 communicate the scheme to none but those wiio were to br 
 employed in iis execution. They wen 3 , therefore, i;Teail\ 
 disappointed, grieved, and shocked, at the result of the mem 
 orable battle of which they had been spectators. 
 
 But who can speak the agony of .Maria s mind durinu the 
 incessant peals of rifles and musketrv, which, for three lonu 
 hours, ratio- in her ears, and s"emed to her imagination to 
 carrv destruction to everything within their reach. Nhe 
 knew that, her Charles was amon^ the combatants ; she 
 had with an anxious and ail ectionate eye singled him out, 
 as seated upon his prancing steed he led his company of 
 rangers across the river, and her view had followed him 
 until the firing commenced, when her alarm and agitation 
 became so trreat that, unable to behold more, she was obliged 
 to retire to her chamber. 
 
 When she was informed that the troops were re-crossing 
 the river, with the hope of ainiin seeing her beloved Charles, 
 she hastened to the porch before the house, from which 
 the rest of the family were viewing the scene. Here she 
 perceived Washington, and returned his salute as before- 
 mentioned. But she perceived not Charles, and in a few 
 minutes she returned to her chamber, in a state of dreadful 
 suspense as to his fate. 
 
 She was in this situation when Airs. Killbreath informed 
 her that the French commander was in the house, and had 
 expressed a wish to see her. 
 
 Tell him, my dear Nancy," said she, "that I am really 
 indisposed. The horrible scenes of this day have rendered 
 me incapable -of seeing any body. Oh, Nancy, Nancy! 
 (rod only knows how terribly my heart is at this moment 
 torn with suspense and agony ! M
 
 THE WTT.DEKXESS. 139 
 
 .Nancy made her apology to I)e Villiers. It was of loo 
 reasonable a nature not to be believed, and be was of too 
 gallant a temper not to admit it. He observed, tbat be was 
 no; surprised at, her being terrified, and lie was very sorry 
 tbat the affair had taken place so near her; but ho hoped 
 that bulb .Miss Fra/ier, and the whole family, in whose wel 
 fare be protested himself to feel greatly interested, would 
 have recovered from their terrors by the time he should 
 next have the pleasure of visiting them. He then partook 
 of some refreshments with which Mrs. Frazier presented 
 him, and returned to the field of battle, where the victors 
 were busily employed, some scalping the slain, and others 
 collecting the spoil. He soon called them together, and as 
 the day was considerably advanced, the greater part of the 
 Indians accompanied him to Fort J)u Quesne, which they 
 reached in triumph towards the evening. 
 
 .Not Maria, alone, but the whole of Frazier s family, felt. 
 anxious to ascertain the fate of Charles Adderly, whom they 
 had seen advancing to the tight, but not returning from it. 
 As soon therefore, as the victors had withdrawn from the 
 field. Paddy, Arehy, and Doctor Kiilbreath, hastened there 
 to ascertain the number of the slain, and whether their friend 
 < harles \\ as among them. 
 
 What a melancholy and shocking appearance this spot of 
 ground now presented to their view ! Hundreds of human 
 beings, who had that morning rejoiced in all the- vigor of 
 health, and strength, now lay prostrate before them, either 
 already cold and insensible as the e.iith on which they were 
 stretched, or e!.-e were writhing and convulsed in the 1-ist 
 tortures of expiring animation. Some had their brains scat 
 tered beside them, and had expired on the instant; others 
 haif received halls in their breasts or their bowels, or other 
 vital parts, which left them in torment to linger out a few 
 tedious hours of agonized existence. 
 
 Into the bodies of the greater portion of these last, the In 
 dians, either for the cruel purpose of gratifying a malign 
 ancy of feeling, by making sure of their destruction, or 
 from the more hum, me motive of more speedily pulling an 
 cud to their sufferings, had plunged bayonets, and driven 
 tomahawks, occasioning wounds through which the bowels
 
 140 THK WILDERNESS. 
 
 of many had protruded, and lay scattered, and often mang 
 led, upon the blood-stained grass beside them. Upon every 
 one of these unfortunate men, ihe scalping knife hud per 
 formed its barbarous office, and where the skull had not 
 been broken to peices by a shower of bullets, it had been 
 stripped of its natural covering, in order to furnish the sa 
 vage conquerors with trophies of their victory. 
 
 [ lie conquerors, although they had carried ofT a great 
 proportion of the spoil, had still left a considerable quantity 
 behind; enough, indeed to have made the fortunes of Fra- 
 zier .s family, had they chosen to avail themselves of it. But 
 at. this time, the feeling s of even Paddy himself, who w;;s 
 not in general very scrupulous in such matters, were so 
 much affected and shocked to behold such an awful havoc- 
 made upon human beings, that all mercenary feelings were 
 stilled in his breast, and he could not carry away a single 
 article. 
 
 On numbering the slain, they found them to amount to 
 neaiiy seven hundred but thev had the satisfaction not. to 
 find Charles Adderiy among them. They returned home 
 with this intelligence, which wis soon imparted to Maria 
 by >irs. Xiiibreath. and she wns inspired with the hope that 
 providence might yei have preserved ! iitu for better times. 
 
 "Oh, ."v.mcy !" cried she, "although you know the secret 
 of my heart little, little can you imngine what I this after 
 noon have suffered. Oil ! had thev found him there mant 
 led with the rest of the: c murdered men. 1 feel that a few 
 days would have terminated my sufferings, and you would 
 have buriid me in the same grave with him I loved. Alas! 
 I am no! yet altogether relieved of my apprehension; hut I 
 will trust Oh ! ] viii pray, ie-ve^tly pray, t > rny God (or 
 his preservation. 
 
 She here requested Narh-.y to kneel with her. and then 
 with great r gjiation after thanking the Deity for the giearn 
 of hope which he had allowed to dawn upon her mind, she 1 
 implored him to prevent it from being at last totally extin 
 guished by the destruction of the youth, upon whose preser 
 vation her own so entirely depended." 
 
 She had scarcely finished, when she heard the voice of 
 Tonnaleuka in the outer room.
 
 THE WILDItKXESS. 141 
 
 "Oh, Nancy!" said she, "if there be comfort on earth 
 tor me, that holy man can administer it. Would to heaven, 
 that all Indians had heart* like his ! Tell him, my sis.ter, 
 hat 1 wish to see him. " 
 
 Tnnnaleuka was soon with her. "Oh, father," said she, 
 " how I feel relief in your presence, from the torments which 
 this terrible day has inflicted on my mind. I thank God, that 
 vou. at least, have met with no misfortune." 
 
 My daughter," said the prophet, much indeed have I 
 lelt for your situation to day ; for 1 knew the agony yon 
 would suffer in consequence of these bloody deeds. The 
 vonih whom you love was in the midst of them; lint be 
 ornforted, for he did not fall, neither is he a prisoner in 
 Fort i)u Qnesne. But I shall before many hours discover 
 the direction that his captors have taken, and the great Spirit, 
 I doubt not. will protect him. 
 
 " Dans/liter, dry your tears!" , lbr Maria at this lime 
 wept violently, which afforded her feelings a relief that the 
 scorching agony of her soul had before prevented her from 
 receiving.) This storm will blow away. A calm will suc- 
 eed, and sunshine will yet for the Great Spirit is just 
 ii ild your course, and compensate lor these afflictions. One 
 noble and glorious youth has this dav been miraculously pre- 
 erved by his care, amidst the thunder that, pealed around 
 him. and blasted hundreds by his side. My daughter, Wash 
 ington is sale, and the Father of the world has shown kind 
 ness to men. " 
 
 1 know it. Father," she replied. "I have beheld that 
 
 excellent young man out of reach of the foes, whom, 1 am 
 
 old, he alone restrained in their murderous career, and a- 
 
 midst the intensity of my other griefs, I felt consolation at 
 
 }\t- sitrht. " 
 
 " .My daughter, I rejoice that you so respect this hero, al- 
 h niirh you know not half his virtues, half his worth to the 
 vorid that, world which the Great llcin^ has not forsaken 
 -inn 1 he has spared him to it; for my daughter, while he 
 Jives the cause of mankind may suffer, but need never des- 
 >air. " 
 
 "1 know, Father," she replied, "that great public good is 
 Jikely to result from Colonel Washington s career, if Provi-
 
 1 3 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 deuce prolongs it. I am sensibly aware of liis worth, greatly 
 do 1 rejoice in his safety, and aruev.tly do .1 hope for his pros 
 perity. But ah, there are griefs that, at present, come closer 
 tomyheait. Chailes Adderly Oh, Father! is he not in 
 danger, and can 1 be in comfort ! Alas, alas, I cannot ! " 
 
 "My daughter, 1 know your heart, I will not therefore 
 blame your feeling?. I sympathise with them. Charles 
 Adderly 1 esteem, I love i or he is worthy of both. 1 ut 
 I despair not of his deliverance from danger. The Great 
 Spirit preserved him once, when in as much peril as now, 
 and he is as mighty to save as ever/ 
 
 "My daughter, I again ask you to be of good cheer I 
 must now leave you. I go to discover where they have 
 takeji him for whom you grieve. Farewell. 
 
 "Farewell I" she replied. "And oh, may the God of all 
 things grant success to yo your exertions." 
 
 Maria s mind was greatly quieted by the encouragement 
 to hope which she deiived from this interview; and during 
 the remainder of the evening, she appeared tranquil, and 
 joined the rest of the family in their conversation on the 
 disasters of the day. 
 
 When retired to rest, however, her disquietude returned, 
 She was long wakeful and restless ; and when at length sin 
 fell into a slumber, it was to experience the horrors of ;< 
 frightful dream. She thought she was wandering alone 
 along the bank of Turtle Creek, meditating upon the vir 
 tues, the tenderness, and the misfortunes of Charles, whei. 
 she suddenly heard the noise of a mighty rush of waters 
 she cast her eyes up the stream, and perceived a terrible 
 and overwhelming ilood rolling down the valley, and sweep 
 ing everything before it with great violence towards the 
 place where she stood. She instinctively attempted to ily 
 out of its course, but was unable she seemed spell-bound 
 to the spot, until the waters came upon her, and were ra 
 pidly carrying her on their surface towards the river, whei 
 a terrific, monstrous-looking animal, half man and half bear 
 rushed headlong from the eastern heights, into the flood, 
 and swimming towards her, seized her in his mouth, am 
 making his way with her to dry land, in a few r minutes do 
 posited her in a chamber in Fort Du Quesne. It then ad- 
 ressed her in the human voice :
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 143 
 
 Look out of that casement, and behold a feast which 
 ;rladdens my eyes," said the monster. " I must nway to 
 .Mijoy it." She looked out, and behold her lover, Charles 
 Adderly, bound hand and foot, with chains, and seated on a 
 : ii .;h pile of wood, to which a number of savages won; set 
 ting lire in several place.--, by the direction of the monster. 
 [ !ic next moment, the ilames seemed suddenly to ascend in 
 mhjhtv volumes round her lover. She gave a scream, and 
 awoke in dreadful agony . 
 
 Mrs. Killbreath, whom the scream had alarmed, hastened 
 into her room to inquire what was the matter. 
 
 Oil, mv dear sister! cried Maria all trembling, "I 
 have been terriblv frightened. !-o no) leave me! I bejr 
 thec do not leave me till the monim;i. 1 have had :i dread 
 ful dream 
 
 Be composed. ?vlaria !" said her sister. -This is owing 
 ;o yesterd ".- ai-irai ! You should not lay these things so 
 iiiueh to heart, iiut I M lll just, inform my husband, who 
 is afraid you have taken sick, that the noise was but the .ef 
 fect of a dream, and shall then return and stay with you till 
 the morninsr." 
 
 .Nancy did so. but Maria slept no more that nielli; for 
 she lea red to experience such another vision. The pres 
 ence of her sister, however, and the exertions of her own 
 reason, enabled her bv the time the day dawned, to become 
 .nice more considerably soothed and tranquilized in her 
 feelinofs. 
 
 25*
 
 144 THE WILDERNESS, 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 f urse on his perjured art. dissembling smooth ! 
 
 \ re honor, virtue, eonsi-ienee nil exiled I 
 Is there no pity, no relentinsr ruth, 
 
 Po ii s i<> the parents: fondling o er their child, 
 Then paints the ruin d maid, and their distraction wild ? 
 
 BURNS. 
 
 Tin; charms of Maria, had made loo deep an impression 
 upon the mind of the o-overnnr of Fort I)u Quesne to permit 
 him to delay lon<_ r the rfperiti iri of his visit to Frazier s. 
 His reflections upon her had i p him awake alms). 
 
 >w in the name of heaven," thoutrht IIP. have 1 been 
 so lono; ignorant oi siifli a lovolv crratnrr vosidinsr PO near 
 me ! SMC!I a jewel ; n Pii -h a V/ilcicniPf? ! But, [ am a 
 fortunate mini to have discovered her a! hist. I will make 
 her JMV wife, for it would be worse than villainy (o pollute 
 so much purity, no; 1 do , ."ippose ii would be so easy :i 
 mailer, fnr she appears ns mo-.U-^r a.s F v ie is beautiful. J5y 
 heavens, 1 will serious!-.- oiler hrr my hand. She surely 
 cnnnot refuse to become misrress of l- ort ]);i (->uesne : and 
 I shall be happy in the enjoyment of such a treasure ! I 
 wish the mornin.i was come, for T will not be content till 
 I know her mind, and till I have made her rnv own pro- 
 pert v." 
 
 In the morning; he, accordingly. -^ :m early hour, set. off 
 for Frazier s. Maria ha.d walked oui upon the bank i^f 
 Turtle Creek, with the expectation of deriving some assist 
 ance from the, tranquillity and beauty of the scene, in sooth 
 ing the sorrow that lay so heavy at her heart. He perceiv 
 ed her before he came to the house, and tvinp; his horse to 
 a tree, he approached her on foot ere she was aware. 
 
 He bowed politely to her, and smiling pleasantly, ad- 
 dresspd her :
 
 THU WILDEKXKS*. 145 
 
 " Miss Frazier, I am really happy to meet you here all 
 rdone, in this charming place. I hope you have recovered 
 from your yesterday s { right. I could not he easy, I as 
 sure you, without coming to see whether you had thrown 
 it off." 
 
 You are very kind, sir." said she; -hut I presume you 
 had more important business to brine: you here at so early 
 an hour, than merely to inquire after the stat; oi a stranger s 
 mind." , 
 
 " T pou my honor, Miss Fraxier, no other business in the 
 world than just to sec, and to converse with you, brought 
 in: from Fort Du Quesne this morning. Ah! believe me, 
 mv charmino- oirl. 1 think no business in the world half so 
 sweet, or so imporiant as enjovinir your society. I wish to 
 Cod 1 had onlv known yon sooner: \\ e should by this time 
 have understood each other belter." 
 
 i: mio hl readily enough have been so," she replied, 
 looking at him with an expression of surprise; "for I pro 
 test, sir, that i cannot understand you now." 
 
 " Ah ! my dear Miss Frazier, you may say so, but 1 can 
 not believe you your pretty tell-tale eyes say that you 
 understand well the nature of my visit, liow can you mis 
 take it . Hut I will make it plainer to you. Ever since 
 . lirsi saw you, I have been so fascinated, 1 could think of 
 nothing else, i f. el as thouirli then; was nothing else worth 
 thinking of. Even the hurry of the battle yesterday could 
 not drhe you for a moment from my thoughts, and as soon 
 as die enemy was driven od , I hastened to see you. Ah! 
 I feel as if I could live by looking upon you." 
 
 You would derive very little benefit from such diet." 
 she answered, scarcely thinking it worth while to reply se 
 riously to such language ; and I am afraid that before long 
 you should find it very little to your satisfaction," 
 
 ".\ay, Miss Frazier," said he in a fond tone, " by my 
 soul, those pretty cheeks, those ruby lips, those sparkling 
 eyes ah : you may banter me, anil laugh at me if you 
 choose, but, by heavens, i never saw anything in the world 
 I loved half so much to ga/.e upon." 
 
 "Monsieur De Villiers," said she, "my heart is too 
 much laden \vitb sorrow ni present, to lauyh at :mvlhin<>.
 
 110 THE \VILDKRXE.S3, 
 
 otherwise, I believe, that such unmeaning, such frivolous, 
 and pardon me. if I sav, such ridiculous nonsense, would 
 provoke my mirih. It L-, sir, equally lirnoalh your dignity, 
 and unsuited to the. present state of niv feelings." 
 
 "Ah. my pretty banterer !" returned the Frenchman, not 
 in the least disconcerted. " then \ shall speak seriously to 
 you. Your charms have warmed my heart to a sincere. 
 uncontrollable passion. 1 love you by heavens ! I adore 
 you ! Ah! 1 have nevi r seen a woman 1 could love as 1 
 do you !" 
 
 " Sir," said she, " this language seems as mad as what 
 you just now uttered was foolish. Both, T must say. arc 
 unworthy of you. and disagreeable to me." 
 
 " Pardon me, madam," !; returned. " Can it be unwor 
 thy of me to love so much excellence! No, by all that is 
 sacred, I swear, lhat if 1 were the grand monarch himself, 1 
 should think you worthy to r-harf my throne. I love you. 
 Miss Frazier, with an honorable passion, at which the most 
 sainted purity could not take offence. My hand is free, my 
 fortune respectable, mv heart devoted to you. I offer you 
 them all, and shall i eel myself the happiest of mortals if you 
 accept of them. 
 
 " Sir." she answered, * I thank you for being so explicit 
 and candid with me. 1 v:iil consider \ on to be serious in 
 these liberal offers, and shall be explicit, candid and serious 
 in reply to them. Then hear my reply, and set it down on 
 the tablets of your memory, as one which neither your 
 power, nor even that of your grand monarch himself, should 
 he lend you his aid, will ever induce me to alter I utterly 
 and decisively reject them." 
 
 "You do!" said he. beginning io feel that he did nor 
 stand on such eligible ground with her as he had supposed. 
 " Then it exactly comes to this isue, my fair tempter, that 
 as I feel I cannot live without you, you must become mine 
 in spite of yourself. But I wish for your voluntary con 
 sent ; for. upon my honor. I should be very loth to compel 
 you." 
 
 "Sir," she replied, - ; we may as well drop the conversa 
 tion. My voluntary assent to vour proposals you can never 
 have. In fiip attempt t<> pronounce it. mv toiunif would
 
 THE WILDERNKSS. 14? 
 
 wither in my mouth. With respect to compelling me, you 
 cannot be so irrationally wicked. You cannot he so devoid 
 of good sense as to expect that compulsion will ever pro 
 duce all ection ; nay, you must know that the excitement of 
 absolute abhorrence would, it is more than probable, lie. its 
 consequence." 
 
 - Then tell me, fair one. what I am to do !" asked I)e 
 Villiers, checkinir a strong tendency which he felt towards 
 irritation. Tell me how 1 shall obtain thee, thou ensnaroi 
 (if my senses! for obtain th^e I must. Without, ihee. my 
 life M ill he nothing worse than nothing it \vili be a bur 
 then 1 will not be able to hear. I/ut. by all my hopes of 
 
 salvation, thou shall be mine, if I should but no." said 
 
 he. suddenly chan<jing his manner, " I will not sav it, I will 
 not resolve it. for I cannot resolve upon anything oil ensive 
 10 the; 1 . Oli! consent to my proposals, become my wife. 
 Mid live happilv \vil!i a man who adores, who shall forever 
 ; lore thee." 
 
 "Sir. "said she, yon have my answer already. It is 
 final, unalterable, and need not he repealed." " Then, said 
 lie, ll proud <_rirl . either you or 1, or perhaps both of us, are 
 i! mined to wretchedness. Permit me, at least, to kiss your 
 hand lie-fore yon drive me oil in despair." 
 
 Here he violently sei/ed her hand, and pressed it forcibly 
 to his lips. Her soul iiiied with indignation and horror at 
 his rudeness: but fearing to prolong his stay by making any 
 observation eonccrninjr i>, she meekly turned from him when 
 he loosened his hold, and without makinir anv reply to his 
 farewell, hastened back to the house in jjreat perplexity and 
 alarm. Having taken his resolution as to the measures he 
 should adopt, he did not follow her, but the more to lull 
 .-my suspicion of his design, he rode up the glen of Turtle 
 ( reek, and returned hastily to J)u Quesne, by a direction dif 
 ferent from the one he came. 
 
 She hesitated when she reached home, whether she should 
 communicate the incident to her iiiends. She did not wish 
 to excite in their minds any unnecessary uneasiness; and 
 she entertained hopes that as the governor had received so 
 iWided a refusal, he minht see the futility of his pursuit, and 
 istiirb her no more, T i- - true, he threw out some
 
 148 TUi: WILDERNESS. 
 
 sions indicative of a resolution to persevere in his designs 
 upon her. But these expressions might only be the common 
 place protestations of a man wishing to make an impression 
 on a woman whom he found difficult to persuade ; or, they 
 might only he the sudden and unreflecting effusions of the 
 moment. At any rate, how could her friends, few and pow 
 erless as they were, resist the Governor of Fort T)u Quesne, 
 if he should think proper to follow ihe import of his insin 
 uations. They might, indeed, contribute to her conceal 
 ment, until he shoiud either forget her, or be removed from 
 his post. Hut this might bring down his vengeance upon 
 them ; and even should her concealment be necessary, by 
 the aid of Tonnalcuka alone, could it be effectually accom 
 plished. To lay the case before him, and be regulated by 
 his advice, she believed would, upon the whole, be her wisest 
 cours" : and she concluded on no!, disturbing the serenity of 
 her friemN by accquainting them wiih the incident, until she 
 consulted him to whom she had always been accustomed to 
 look up for advice in every perplexity. 
 
 As to De Villiers there was nothing further from his inten 
 tion than to relinquish his pursuit after her. He .saw clear 
 ly that nothing wa> to be. obtained from her by mere solicita 
 tion ; and he was determined not to expend time and labor 
 in vain. His passion for her was too violent to brook such 
 a delay. He therefore resolved to have recourse to active 
 and prompt, measures; and he was only sorry that he had 
 happened, while conversing with her, to throw out hints 
 that might put her on lier guard against the attempt he med 
 itated. But his consideration formed a motive, additional 
 to the urgency of his passion, to have his design immediate 
 ly executed, so that she might not have time to adopt any 
 mode of frustrating it- 
 He therefore, as soon as he returned to the garrison, or 
 dered a Lieutenant R-uittell, a man whom he knew to be fit 
 for his purpose, into his presence. 
 
 " Well, Ranttell! said he. 
 
 "Your servant, sir," wiih -i low bow, was the reply. 
 
 " I want you on a special service, Lieutenant, which I ex 
 pect you will manage exactly as you shall be directed." 
 
 " To a fraction, if possible." 
 
 There is a !r>dv iu the rasp, Ranttell,"
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 149 
 
 A pleasant affair, sir, next to shooting the English, and 
 a damned sight better than burning them, as these devils of 
 
 Indians will have us to do !" 
 
 Thai s my business, not yours," observed the Governor. 
 
 "Your pleasure, sir," was the reply. 
 
 " \ captain s commission, Ranttell," said the Governor, 
 " will be yours, my brave fellow, the moment the lady is 
 brought into the fort." 
 
 " Smio the word," replied the lieutenant, " a neat job, 
 bv St. Dennis ! Where is the dove s nest. Monsieur lie 
 Governor :" 
 
 \? Turtle (/reek, a daughter of the old Irishman," re 
 plied the Governor. 
 
 "Whot! not Dr. Kilihreath s wife, I hope." cried Rant- 
 "11 : "but ii" matier." be added, winking significantly at the 
 iuViTiior. sweet s the eye upon a prettv grin, whether mar 
 ried or single." 
 
 - You mistake," said the Governor, affecting some offence 
 at tin- msinuatio i : "do you think me such a blackguard as 
 to seduce another man s wife? no no, Lieutenant, you 
 Mislake ;!i" mailer." 
 
 ! }}<>? pardon. " returned the Lieutenant, "but I am glad 
 he Doctor ;s out of the scrane at any rate, for he cured me 
 "f ; !ech" ic last spring, when our own bungling surgeon 
 oulii scarce icil what ailed me. Hut I suppose it is the 
 (iretiy rosy-lipped, sweet countenanced lady, the Doctor s 
 i>ti i -in-huv, that 1 sa\v ia-M winter when out in that <iuarter 
 "ii a humiii T Irin. B\" llii Lori!, she s a dainty. r loi! I 
 been ilte Doctor, 1 know which of the two shirrs I should 
 have chosen tor a h(rip-ma!:\" 
 
 Rut more persons than one, have a choice, you know," 
 observed the Governor, " where two are concerned." 
 
 " Perfect loric, your honor," replied Ranitell." 
 
 " Well, sir," said De Villiers, " you know the lady I 
 love her to distraction I wish to marry her she s an an- 
 :fel. and I would not for the world pollute her. I told her 
 so, but she is rather shy about the matter. 1 want you to 
 !)rinir her here, as I think I., could here persuade her with 
 more effect, than in the woods under her fathers s wing yon 
 der. You neither need ask her consent, nor that of any of
 
 150 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 her friends. Take twenty smart fellows with you, enter the 
 house holdly, nml bring her off without question. Bn f , take 
 care, Ranttell ! offer her no insult, as you would avoid get 
 ting a hall through your brains. Remember, she i to he 
 mv wife. 
 
 " It shall he all done as fairly ?.nd politely, as you would 
 ask her to dar.ee a rifradoon," replied the Lieutenant. " P>ul 
 \viien shall we set out, .Monsieur he Governor?" 
 
 l)e Villiers pulied out, a watch, " by my faith, but I made 
 good speed this morning," said he. "It is not twelve yet. 
 In hnlf :;u liour, R-mtte!!, he off. Give w n man a dose ot 
 rum before you start, and another when you rome in sight 
 of your destination, and 1 shall expect you back by sun 
 down. ( ! te to the ];>,;v, nrd civil to 
 the IV 
 
 I M! manage it a? neat as a n^wlv made plume in a gren 
 adier s cap," . -aid the lieutenant, bow.iig sf--cral fpm s a!- 
 mos! to the ground as he withdrew. 
 
 It was heiweeu three and I jnr oY o.-k in the afternoon, 
 when \rehy rYazier, who had been in the woods at some 
 distance to the westward of the house, came in hastily, 
 with intellio-ei.,--- party of French soldiers were m 
 
 sight. Maria, who w:;s in her ov/!i apartment, for she had 
 sea reel v stirred icontre wi;h l)e \ il- 
 
 liers. diti n he family 
 
 did not think v eommunicating it. 
 
 They ran to tlie door, rather from an impulse of curiosity 
 than alarm: and unconscious that anv of themselves were 
 to be the objects of his violence, they met Rantteli rather 
 cordially than otherwise, as, orderinrr the body of his men 
 to keep at a distance, unless called forward, he. with only 
 three soldiers, advanced to the house. Paddr and Doctor 
 Killbreath, had gone in the morning on a hunting excursion, 
 and were not expected back till night. Gilbert and Archy, 
 therefore, were the onlv male part of the family present; 
 and for any opposition lie might meet with from these. 
 Lieutenant Ranttell eared hut little. As neither Gilbert nor 
 Nelly could speak French. Mrs. Killbreath had to return 
 his salutation and answer his interrogations. 
 
 "Good dav ! niv friend Frnzier! Mv best wishes for
 
 THE WILDERNI iii J 
 
 your family, was tue iirst salutation, winch was accom 
 panied with :i ceremonious how. 
 
 " YVe thank you," replied Nancy, "but as my lather doe,-; 
 r-n\ speak French, you \\ili excuse it is silence," 
 
 "With ail my heart, Airs. Killhreath. But pray, my 
 sxveet madam, where are ail the rest of your people I I 
 hope our lighting here yesterday, has not frightened them 
 
 My brother Paddy, and my husband the doctor, are out 
 iir since the morning, and I believe we are all present 
 except them and my sister, who is rather indisposed since 
 the alarm she received duriiiff yesterday s battle," 
 
 " You have stood that, all air pretty well, i perceive, .Mr*. 
 Killhreath, " said the lieutenant: "See how hardy people 
 become when they are married. But is your sister so sick 
 as to permit no visiter, my fair friend; I have a message 
 I wisli to deliver to her." 
 
 "A message for Maria!" exclaimed Nancy. "Pray, 
 sir, who can it be from/" 
 
 " From a most true and hearty friend she has at the 
 garrison," replied the oliicer, 
 
 Inform me of it, and 1 shall communicate it to her. and 
 inmedialely let you know her answer." 
 
 "1 am instructed only to communicate it to herself," was 
 ;he reply. 
 
 "I shall tell her so." said Nancy, and she without more 
 consideration, hastened to Maria a apartment. But to her 
 astonishment, the o Ulcer was there almost as soon a:-. 
 herself. 
 
 Kxcuse me, ladies!" said lie, bowinir and smiling ver\ 
 politely to Maria; "excuse me for this unmannerly intru 
 sion. But 1 must plead the necessity I am under of obey- 
 .n IT my commander. My dear madam," said he, addressing 
 Maria exclusively, 1 have to inform vou of (Governor l)e 
 \ illiers s request that you will honor him with vour com- 
 pany, this evenini:, at Fort i)u Qiiesne. I have been or 
 dered out wilh a party oi* soldiers to escort you there." 
 
 "Alas! alas!" exclaimed Maria, in violent agitation, 
 without making anv direct repl\- to Kanttell: "[ sec^ 1 am 
 undone Oh! Nancv, .\ancv, they are t r ing to take me
 
 /33 THE WILDEKXE3S. 
 
 trom you! I might have known it alas! I might have 
 concealed myself, hut. I could not think he would have per 
 petrated such instantaneous violence. Oh. my God. pre 
 serve me !" 
 
 "What is the meaning of this, lieutenant Ranttell ?" 
 asked Nancy ; "what do you want with m v sister . She 
 cannot, have done anvthiug either to injure or offend the 
 Governor." 
 
 ".Nor does the Governor, my sweet, madam, wish. 01 
 intend to do any thin<r either to injure or offend her. IT is 
 pure love, Mrs. Killbreath, that is at the bottom of this 
 affair. But, my fair lady." said he to Maria, "I am or 
 dered to show you all possible politeness, and have ahorse, 
 us tine an ambler as ever paced the sod. ready and com 
 fortably caparisoned to carry you to the fort. Pray, nmv 
 will you permit me to help you on him . " 
 
 "Ah, sir. have mercy! exclaimed Maria, for she shud 
 dered at tiie idea of beinof in the power of De Villiers. 
 "Oh! I beseech you, for the, love of heaven, do not assist 
 t.o plunge nie into ruin ! Heaven will bless you if you let 
 me escape." 
 
 "I am but a soldier, madam, and must obey orders, you 
 know." 
 
 "And oh, sir, would you carry me me, who never 
 harmed you to misery, to destruction! 
 
 "There is no danger", madam, of either, I assure you." 
 said the officer, trying to soothe her: "so long as we have 
 a jim in the fort, and a soldier to fire it, not a soul on earth 
 shall harm a hair of your head. But we must b? off, ma 
 dam, and please let us go in good humor together; for, 
 confound me. if I like to be at variance with a lady." 
 
 By this time. Gilbert, hearing something of an altercation 
 between the Frenchman and his daughter, advanced into 
 the room. 
 
 " "U hat s wrang. Maria, my bairn?" said he; "I hope 
 the officer wants naething uncivil wi you " 
 
 "Ah father, my dear father!" she replied, "I am undone!" 
 
 " Sir," said the officer, who perceived that Gilbert wan 
 displeased, "there is no use in fretting about the matter. 
 Monsieur De Villiers has taken a fancy to your daughter
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 153 
 
 Hi has ordered me to carry her to the fort. He will, 1 
 as- arc you, ofi er her no harm. On the contrary, he wishes 
 10 make her his wife, and will treat her as tenderly as the 
 pu :>il of his eye !" 
 
 \Vhai says hi 1 ." asked Gilbert, who did not understand 
 the lano-uaofe addressed to him. 
 
 Xati -v brielly explained its import. 
 
 Wants my doe-liter into the fort amano soldiers !" ex 
 claimed he. "an withoot her consent, ton! Get oot o my 
 hoose lit!-- ])recious moment, ye rascal, to come here on 
 sit -h an errand, or by the Great God ma v he forgive me 
 foi shell an oath! I ll turn ye oot by the shoothcrs." 
 
 Tii" lieutenant understood Gilbert as little as Gilbert 
 understood him: but he perceived him to be enraged, and 
 observed 
 
 My fi iends. all this is to no purpose. There are twenty 
 brave leliows without yonder who will enforce my com 
 mands. "So, my sweet madam," said he, making a gra- 
 ei"iis bow to the half distracted Maria, and catching her by 
 tin ;inn. "von had as rrood come alon<j without giving us 
 rne.rc trouble, or permitting this old gentleman to g^t iuio --\ 
 scrape. " 
 
 A his ! " said Maria, "since it is so. ihen God alone c.m 
 piotivt me" so saying, she fell on her knees "Oh God! 
 ol< God: "crieel she. in Kii.qli:-!; ; "if there is deliverance 
 for me from tin- calamity, vouchsafe to send it ere I become 
 w -etched : ii not, oh leach me to submit to thy will ! " 
 
 Merc GilScii could endure no longer: his ra^e entirely 
 overpowered his reason, ami ninninjr into an adjacent room, 
 hi ser/ed upon an axe that happened to he there. 
 
 I ll cleave you to the year h this moment," cried he to 
 R mtell. "il yo (ret not oot. an no vex my bairn in this <iate 
 
 " and lie actually wielded a blow which would have 
 
 I) ii I -i!;d to the lieutenant, had not one ol the sohiteis who 
 n ! ,v: i tlii- house with him, cauuiit the axe ere il descend- 
 ei . and altem[)ted to wies ii out ol his grasp. Gdbert how- 
 e\ "r, ah hoiiirh advanced in Lie, was still a strong man, and in 
 a -nom -M! overturned the soldier. i ut another of the sol- 
 di T.s sci/od upon the axe, and had it. just extricated from 
 (i.Iberi s hold, when Arc-by Frazicr hearing the scrlfl*:. dart-
 
 154 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 ed forward upon him and with a kick upon the stomach ove<" 
 turned him upon his companion. Ranteli, himseli now closed 
 wilh Archy, and the third soldier bavin? culled forward t! e 
 remainder oi the troops, hastened to assist his commander, 
 and Archy was soon overpowered. 
 
 .H;:r,tell, ;;s soon as the troops cume forward, ordered a 
 sergeant s guard to enter the house, and Gilbert and his SMI 
 were instantly tied, hands and feet together with rope?. 
 
 "Now, my fair maiden, said he, (running to Maria, who 
 had just recovered from a swoon, for she thought her father 
 w-is killed.) "the day is our own let us be eoin<r. i ;vn 
 sorry for the scuille, but it was the curst hot-headedness ni 
 that foolish old man that occasioned it. I wished the thii 2 
 1o be done in peace. Mrs. Killbreath here can loosen the-e 
 ropes as soon as we are tjone. But take care, Mrs. .Doctor, 
 and this old dame bete," said he, looking at jNelly, whom 
 the fright had thrown into an hysterical fit, from which she 
 was just recovering; "1 wish her also not to allow the old 
 dotard, and his hair-brained son to follow us ; or, by (loi ! 
 if they do, we shall shoot them ! 
 
 Having jriven these instructions to Mrs. Frazie. and 1, T 
 daughter, he caujjht Maria in his arms to carry her oil- 
 
 "Sir," said she, making a great exertion to recover I r 
 eneray of mind; "since such is my fate, keep your hands 
 oil me, and I will submit: but before you separate me p- r- 
 haps for ever from these beloved beings, mv father and inn i- 
 er. permit me to embrace them. 
 
 "It is all reasonable, replied Ranttell, glad to see that i if 
 application of personal violence towards her would he un 
 necessary, "do so with all my heart: only remember ] c in 
 aflbrd yon but little time for the ceremony. And pardon me 
 Mrs. Doctor turning to ZSancy. if I interfere in womei ? 
 concerns, but I see there is one thinsr \ou are likely to for< !. 
 The lady s stay in the garrison will, perhaps, require some 
 changes of raiment. " 
 
 Mrs. Killbreath took the hint ; but first throwing her an s 
 round Maria s neck, she kissed her. while her eyes ov- r- 
 flowed with tears 
 
 "Farewell, my dearest, dearest sister !" said she. " Vul 
 oh ! may (-iod deliver you from these men. "
 
 1 HE WILUKRNESJi. 155 
 
 She then hastened to pack up some clothing- for Alarm, 
 which when done she handed to the lieutenant. While 
 \-nicy was thus employed. .Maria had alternately embraced 
 hei lather and her mother. !She was at length separated 
 Iron them, and proceeded so far as the porch, when Nelly 
 run ling after her, again caught her in her arms. 
 
 Oh ! my bairn, my lovely bairn ! 1 canna let you leave 
 nit 1 . I will go \vi you. Where er they pit you, canna be 
 o\\ .e bad for me. I will watch owre you, an comfort ye 
 amang the soldiers." 
 
 .My mother, 1 know not what to do, " replied Maria ; 
 much could 1 wish they would permit you to go with 
 tin . but I I esr it would break your heart to witness my 
 misery." 
 
 Alack!" returned Nelly, "it will break iny heart to 
 thi ik of my bairn being in distress, an me no wi her to 
 sh,.re ii, an to conilort her." 
 
 Pardon me, ladies !" said llanltell : " but we have no 
 lime now to discuss matters: and as my instructions relau; 
 onh to one lady, 1 believe 1 shall be, at present, so mode- 
 rule as not to exceed them. So, my good mother, you had 
 tu ter walk within doors, and pacify old crack-brain yonder, 
 wiio will no doubt pronounce many a solid curse upon us 
 In fore we reach J)u Quesne. lint, my sweet fair one ! yon 
 \\i-re tiie pri/e 1 wa.-^ sent to capture; be so good, therefore, 
 as to come along. Yon gallant steed impatiently champs 
 his !>>(, as if he longed lor his lovely burthen." 
 
 lie heie separated her from the clinging arms of her mo 
 ther, who exclaiming, " Oh, heavenly (od ! my bairn! my 
 b: im ! my lovely, my innocent bairn, is lost!" and she, fell 
 ll it upon tin? porch in a state of insensibility. 
 
 Maria, with a bursting heart, and a burning brain, was 
 anon raiMid upon the horse prepared for her, and the troops 
 v ith their beauteous pri/e hastened to return to Fort l)n 
 
 ( i 1 1 1 1 S 1 1 ( . 
 
 (iillnTt and his wife fell the calamity that had on this da\ 
 h fallen them the more acutely, as they had, t>inco their set- 
 l I UKMit in tin; Wilderness, experienced nothing of the kind. 
 Their children had grown up under their eyes, healthy and 
 prosperous, and in all their other a Hairs they had enjoyed
 
 156 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 such a uniform course of tranquillity and success such an 
 uninterrupted continuance ot comfort and repose, that now. 
 when the storm of misfortune hurst upon them all at once, 
 and struck them so severely in their tenderest afi ections, it 
 is not wonderful that they were scarcely able to endure the 
 shock. 
 
 Gilbert and his son were soon loosened by Mrs. Kill- 
 breath from ihcir bonds after the French departed ; but the 
 folly of giving pursuit was too apparent lor them to attempt 
 it, and all they could do was to weep bitterly for their lost. 
 .Maria. 
 
 As (or Nelly, it was a considerable time after her fall 
 upon the porch, before she was restored to sensation, and 
 when that was effected, it was fount! that her mind had sus 
 tained suc i a shock as to render her delirious. They laid 
 her in bed, for she was in a high lever, and Gdbert had no 
 other expectation during the sorrowful evening , but that he 
 had lost both his wife and his daughter forever. 
 
 As he looked upon Neiiy in her raving moments, rage and 
 vexation would sometimes overpower him, and tie would 
 involuntarily exclaim 
 
 " Heaven s curse upon the fiends ! They hae ruined me 
 an a my comforts ! But God forgte me, I should curse 
 nae yen. I leave them to thy hands, oil Lord ! Deal wi 
 them according to thy own pleasure; but oh! have com 
 passion upon this afflicted family. Protect my bairn, an 
 restore my wife !" 
 
 It was iate in the evening before .Nelly s mind became so 
 much tranquilized that she began to relish the consolations 
 of religion, and Gilbert was sitting by her bedside reading 
 the following passage of the version of the 4th Psalm used 
 by the Church of Scotland : 
 
 In thv o-rrat indignation. 
 
 Lord! rebuke TOP not. 
 Nor mi hif: hiv thy chast riing hand, 
 
 In thy displeasure hot. 
 Lord, I am weak, therefore on me 
 
 Have mercy, and me spare ; 
 Heal me, O Lord, because thou know st 
 
 My bones much vexed are 
 
 wh^n tin 3 prophf Tonnalenka entered, on his return from
 
 THK WILJJKRNKSS. 157 
 
 inquiring after the direction which had been taken by the 
 savages who captured Charles Adderly. He had ascertained 
 it, and was now coming to report the circumstances to Ma 
 ria, and comfort her with the assurance that something should 
 be immediately done to eiiei-.t iier lover s deliverance. 
 
 The prophet was thunderstruck when he was informed of 
 Wiiat had happened to the family. He gave a groan, and 
 threw himself in great agitation upon a bench beside a h ble 
 upon which he laid his head, and pressing his throbbing tem 
 ples between his hands, remained in that posture for about 
 fiMeen minutes, without speaking a word. He then suddenly 
 started up, and hastily paced the room backwards and for 
 wards for SOUK; time in a species of frenzy, with his eyes 
 -swollen as if they would burst from their sockets, but appa 
 rently too much .-Torched with ihe lire of grief to shed a 
 .singie tear. Alter which lie resumed his former por-ture at 
 the table, still silent, and seemingly absorbed in intense 
 thought, as weJi as grief. At length throwing himself upon 
 his knees, he stretched his hands, and lifted his burning eyes 
 towards heaven, and exclaimed 
 
 Oh ! (!reat Spirit and Father of ttio universe, assist me 
 it! the endeavor, and grant success to what thoti hast thy.-eii 
 suggested. 1 depend on thec. on thee alone, to protect that 
 Kuilerinir maiden and restore her again to her friends." 
 
 lie then arose, and inquired for Paddy Frazier, and when 
 (oid that Paddy had not been at home since the morning, he 
 seemed very impatient, and again paced the floor in great 
 agitation. 
 
 In a short time, however, Paddy and Dr. Kiiibr^atii ar 
 rived, and Tonnaleuka appeared at unce to become much 
 tranquilized. The consternation and rage of both these 
 h inters of the forest, when thev heard of their sister s mis- 
 I Ttnn , need not be described; they both swore eternal 
 h itred to the French, lint Tonnaleuka did not give Paddy 
 ii iic h time to vent forth the vehemence of his rage; he took 
 him out of doors, where he communed with him about (en 
 minutes. When ihey re-entered the house. Paddy hastily 
 provide:! himself with a small wooden liask full of ruin, and 
 some provision.-, which he deposited in a pouch at his side, 
 a ifl pitching his rifle on hi* shoulder, set oft again at full
 
 158 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 speed, with as much briskness and alacrity as if lie had just 
 arisen from his couch, after the enjoyment of a long repose. 
 The prophet then exhorted the family to be of good cheer, 
 as he had great hopes that all might yet be well ; and as he 
 understood from Mrs. Killbreath that her father and mother 
 had refused all kinds of nourishment since Maria s capture, 
 he desired that supper should be prepared, of which, he said, 
 he should himself stay to partake. After supper, he took 
 Dr. Killbreath aside and requested him to set oil early in the 
 morning towards the head waters of Chartier s Creek, in 
 order to watch the proceedings of a party of Caughnewago 
 Indians, who had carried Charles Adderly in that direction, 
 and to lose no time in bringing him back intelligence of their 
 intentions concerning their prisoner, as soon as lie should 
 discover them. 
 
 " My son," said he, "show this wampum to the sachem. 
 Takshuma, who is their leader He will protect you from 
 any injury, and perhaps give you all the information we re 
 quire. 1 should have gone on this errand myself, but M,i- 
 ria, the child of my heart, is now in distress, and I cannot 
 forsake her. 
 
 " My son, my inability u> attend to the affairs of Charles 
 Adderly, may, at this crisis, be fatal to him, unless Takshu 
 ma grants the petition which, in my name, and upon the 
 testimony of that sacred wampum, I authorize you to deliver 
 to him. Tell him that Tonnaleuka, the adopted son of the 
 deceased Fallakamsah, formerly chief sachem of the tribe of 
 the Mingoes, and the prophet of Alaneto for fifteen tribes, 
 requests Takshuma, sachem of the Caughnewagoes, to grant 
 the English prisoner, Charles Adderly, if the Caughnewago 
 counsellors should condemn him to be burned, that which 
 no prophet of Muneto has ever been refused when he asked 
 it for a condemned prisoner, namely, seven days after his 
 condemnation, to make his peace with Maneto before he be 
 given to tiie liames." 
 
 " If I had this petition in writing," observed the Doctor, 
 with much simplicity, "I should, no doubt, remember it bet 
 ter, and deliver it more correctly to the sachem." 
 
 " My son, you. shall have it in writing then," said Tonna- 
 luuka. "for your own use. Only show not the paper to the
 
 THE WILDERNESS 159 
 
 sachem, for he will either despise you for requiring such an 
 assistant to your memory, or he may look upon it as a forge 
 ry of your own, for the chiefs and prophets of our people 
 nt-ver use such means of communication with eacli other." 
 
 The Doctor promised to obey the prophet s instructions, 
 which, as well as the petition, were reduced that evening 
 to writing, and he set out on his errand e^rly the ensuing 
 morning,. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 And now he pours his choice of fc.ai, 
 
 In secret on Matilda s ear; 
 
 " Consent, and all this dread array, 
 
 Like morning dream shall pass away; 
 
 Refuse, and by my duty prcss d, 
 
 I give the word thou know st the rest." 
 
 SCOTT. 
 
 THE great luminary of this nether world had upwards of 
 ;iu hour s journey to perform, ere he could hide himself be 
 hind the edge of the western horizon, from the view of Hie 
 inhabitants of Fort l)u Quesne, when the lovely object of 
 lis Governor s passion, was brought :ui unhappy captive 
 v.ilh m its walls. 
 
 When the sound of the bugle announced the arrival of 
 K.anttell s part), the Governor, with a feeling of some em 
 barrassment, hastened to salute the enchanter of his soul, 
 whom he perceived to be with them, and to conduct her 
 * nto bis residence. AVhen he held out his hand to assist 
 her in dismounting, she for a moment, with an instinctive 
 hudder, shrunk from his touch ; but insta ntly recollecting 
 hat there was no possibility of then avoiding it, without, 
 26
 
 tiO J H K \\ ILOK US F,a> . 
 
 perhaps, subjecting herself to greater rudeness, she silently 
 accepted his assistance, and suffered herself to be led, an 
 uncomplaining victim, to the lodging that had been prepared 
 for her. 
 
 This was a tolerably neat room of moderate dimensions r 
 on the second floor of the governor s house, which was sit 
 uated near that part of the circumvallation which overlooked 
 the Monongahela. It was in the northeastern angle of the 
 house, and had in view from its frrtnt windows, the principal 
 area, or parade ground, within the stoccade. Besides the 
 necessary furniture 1 which, although not splendid, was com 
 modious and clean, it contained a few books of a romantic 
 and light species of literature, arranged on some shelves ad 
 joining the door of a small dark closet, which formed an 
 appendage to the apartment. 
 
 " Miss Frazier," said De Villiers on handing her into thi- 
 room, "I am sorry, to my very soul 1 am sorry, that yov 
 should have compelled me to take this step. But 1 felt that 
 I could not live without you, and I had no alternative. En 
 deavor to make yourself comfortable in this abode, such ;\>> 
 it is, I wish to God it was a palace for your sake." 
 
 " Sir," said she, "comfort is now a matter of no concern 
 to me, for it is what I feel I cannot enjoy. Alas ! to enter 
 a palace under such circumstances, would be the same as a 
 dungeon." 
 
 Here the energy which had sustained her during her 
 journey, forsook her, for the state in which she had left hei 
 frignds, rushed into her remembrance, and she burst into 
 tears." 
 
 " Oh, my dear father and mother," said she, "what must 
 you not feel at this moment ! Heaven support you undei 
 this trial." 
 
 " Be pacified, my lovely maiden," said De Villiers, in n 
 soothing manner, for he really felt affected at her sorrow. 
 " Your feelings are too tender. You ar%by far of too timk 
 and apprehensive a disposition. I assure you that you wil : 
 suffer no evil here, and I shall also take care to remove air. 
 uneasiness your friends may feel on that account. The in 
 gency of passion, irresistible passion, for you alone, ^on 
 strained me to separate you from them. But. believe mr
 
 THE WILOKRNKSS. 1 fU 
 
 H \\as not to make either you or them unhappy ; and, upon 
 the honor of a soldier, I promise that anything short of part 
 ing with you, I shall subitiit to, in order to make your resi 
 dence with me agreeable. 
 
 Alas, then. 1 need expect no relief from misery," she 
 ivplied, " for nothing short of a separation from yon, and 
 restoration to my friends, can afford such relief. Oh! re- 
 More me to them, and I shall never cease to bless you, I 
 shall never cease to pray lor your happiness ! 
 
 U hat !" said he; "no, no you know not how 1 adore 
 ^ our loveliness, or you would not expect me to part with it 
 so soon. It would be folly indeed, to throw that treasure 
 out of my hand, for which the whole world could not afford 
 me an equivalent. But the whole world, Miss Frazier, 
 cannot now deprive me of you. That blessed consideration 
 makes me ample amends for your present displeasure. Oh, 
 smile upon one who doats on you. and be reconciled to yield 
 to the ardor of his affections, bv becoming his wife, and his 
 vv hole future conduct, he pledges his salvation, shall be reg- 
 rlated so as to make you happy." 
 
 bi Sir, said she, recovering her full eneriry of manner 
 and tone, "never, never! Yon have already had my an 
 swer on that subject, and answer which no earthly consid 
 eration can ever induce me to chanire. iNo, my heart would 
 burst to pieces ere my tongue should utter a promise to be 
 yours." 
 
 Well, my sweet tormentor, you would inflict a pang 
 into my soul, would you, by such a manifestation of hatred 
 lor me ? But, bv heavens ! you are beautiful, and so long 
 as I can behold those fascinating features, 1 shall feel no 
 panics of any kind ! When I shall feel sorrow, I shall fly 
 IM you, and gaze upon you. The sight ol your charms will 
 quicken me into joy, and to clasp them to my enraptured 
 bosom, will transport me into bliss." He paused but she 
 continued silent, shuddering at his vehemence ; and he soon 
 again continued : 
 
 " Maiden ! you say you will never promise to be mine. 
 He it so. 1 can, if 1 please, dispense witli that promise, and 
 } et be happy. I or know, my enchantress, you are at this 
 moment mine to all intents and for all purposes, as com-
 
 162 Illii WILDERNESS. 
 
 pletely and absolutely, as if the priest had made you so. It 
 is for your own sake, my fair one, and not for mine, that 1 
 wish the forms to be gone through. "What say you ? "Will 
 you consult your own reputation, your own purity, and the 
 satisfaction of your friends, and pronounce the vow which 
 will make me happy without making you wretched." 
 
 " Never !" she replied, in a tone of lirmness and decision, 
 " never. If I am doomed to wretchedness, no act of my 
 own shall ever he, with my knowledge, accessary to it. If 
 I cannot control the power of others over me, I can control 
 the meaning of the words that I utter, and never shall I 
 utter anv which will entitle you to exercise authority over 
 
 me 
 
 "Say you so, obstinate, foolish girl?" he replied, with 
 considerable irritation. " But your ohstinacy, or if you 
 prefer the phrase, your firmness on this point, shall be tried. 
 By heavens ! if I did not love you too sincerely to seize 
 your charms, and rifle your sweets without ceremony, 1 
 would not delay my bliss one hour. But harsh, inconsid 
 erate as you are, your purity and satisfaction of mind, are 
 worth something in my estimation ; they are worth at leasi 
 a few days postponement of my happiness. It shall be. 
 therefore, postponed that it may he the sweeter when ii 
 comes ; for, by the. great God, I swear it shall come with 
 your own consent, if I should shake your very soul to its 
 centre in order to extort that consent from you ! This \* 
 my determination, seducing, obdurate girl ! 1 shall now 
 leave you to reflect upon it. But your lovely hand shall 
 first impress rapture upon my lips." 
 
 So saying, he forcibly kissed her hand, and left the apart 
 ment. Maria threw herself upon the bed, and burst into 
 tears. The full sense of her wretched situation, and sail 
 more wretched prospects, rushed violently upon her mind, 
 and she poured forth the sorrows of her soul to her Maker 
 from whom alone, if there was any deliverance for her 
 could she expect it. by some miraculous means to proceed 
 She prayed, fervently prayed, that whatever might be th 
 acuteness of her personal sufferings, she should, at leas- 
 bear them without sinning, and that if her distress shoulc 
 occasion her destruction, her soul should return to him froir
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 1 63 
 
 \\ horn it had proceeded, as undefiled, and as unoffending as 
 s r had received it. 
 
 This pious train of thought had the effect of greatly tran- 
 qiiili/inir her mind, and when, in about fifteen minutes after 
 the departure of J)e Villier.s. a squaw entered her apartment 
 with some refreshments, she prevailed on herself to partake 
 Siio-inly of them, after which, committing herself to the all- 
 powerful protection of the (-Jod on whom she relied, she 
 Licked her chamber door, and throwing- her harrassed frame 
 n<rain upon the couch, endeavored to court repose. 
 
 But it was lonjr before she obtained it. The misfortunes 
 of C harles Adderly, who loved her so tenderly, and to whom 
 the whole affections of her soul were engaged, for some time 
 ("en pied and agitated her mind, so entirely and intensely, as 
 almost to obliterate the recollection of her own. The awful 
 late which she 1 eared lie either had sulfered, or would be 
 doomed to sutler, from the cruelty of the savages, excited 
 her mind, as she reflected deeply upon it, to a sneeies of in- 
 f"lerahle feelinjr, so nearly bordering upon despair, that, she 
 could have wished herself annihilated to tret rid of it. When 
 she pictured to herself the horrors of his destruction, amidst 
 t! e (lames, o-ladly. ufladly would she have rejoiced in the 
 ]:ossihilitv of becoming herself a substitute to undergo the 
 iful doom in his stead. 
 
 Then, arain, when the terrors of her own situation would 
 recur to her, the possibility of beinir condemned to the hor- 
 r hie embraces of a wretch whose \illainly she execrated, 
 occasioned her to shudder, a cold sweat broke upon her 
 frame, and she thought thai even Charles s worst fate must 
 ! e happiness, compared with hers. 
 
 "Oli, would to (Jod!" she mentally exclaimed, "that 
 sooner than permit such a catastrophe to take place, he 
 vould strike me dead with his thunder, or cause this build- 
 j i IT to take fire and consume me amidst the conflagration." 
 
 .Nature^ at length became wearied with the poignancy of 
 :-orrow, and she sunk into a kind of stupor which termina- 
 t d, at last, in a slumber, disturbed and troubled, indeed, but 
 infinitely more refreshing and invigorating in its effects than 
 .-he had any reason to expect. 
 
 She arose the next morning, rejoiced to find herself re-
 
 164 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 stored to a decree of resolution and fortitude, of which, the 
 preceding evening, she had been entirely destitute; and she 
 now felt, as if she could courageously meet her fate, let its 
 aspect be ever so appalling. 
 
 The squaw that had the night before brought refreshments 
 to her, appeared some time after she arose, with a request 
 from Hie Governor that she would favor him with her com 
 pany at breakfast, which was waiting for her in a parlor 
 below stairs. This invitation she declined on the plea of 
 indisposition. The squaw retired, but in a short time re 
 turned to prepare breakfast in her apartment, and in a few 
 minutes was followed by I)e Villiers himself, who saluted 
 her with great politeness, hoped her indisposition was not 
 of a serious nature, and since she was unable to afford him 
 the pleasure of her presence at her breakfast, below, he 
 would crave the liberty to enjoy it in her own room. 
 
 "You are master here, sir," said she, "and no doubt 
 despotically enough disposed to make all such matters bend 
 to your will. My opposition to your taking this liberty, 
 would I am therefore persuaded, be fruitless, and should 
 not relieve me of your presence, let me feel it as disagreea 
 ble as I may." 
 
 " Then my presence is still disagreeable to you," he ob 
 served ; " well, let it be so, since yours affords me delight, 
 by the Holy Virgin! 1 will enjoy it. But, my fair one. 1 
 wish you to join me in this breakfast, for, by my faith. 1 did 
 not bring you here to stare you." 
 
 " Sir," said she, " on condition that you avoid the subject 
 so grating to my feeling, I shall partake with you, but on no 
 other." 
 
 " He bowed a complaisant assent, and she sat down to 
 table with him. But the meal was scarcely over when he 
 renewed the ungrateful subject. 
 
 " Oh ! how happy, Miss Frazier," he said, looking ten 
 derly at her, and drawing a deep sigh, "should I be, if you 
 were thus the voluntary and permanent mistress of my table, 
 and myself! Oh, will you not consent to receive the hand 
 of the man who loves you beyond all the world ?" 
 
 "The reply, sir," said she, "that I have so decisively 
 given to that question already, I think might be sufficient
 
 THE WILDERN ES*. 105 
 
 to convince you of the inulility of repeating it. That re 
 ply was made never in be changed, and it never can be 
 changed ! " 
 
 " Other methods must then be tried," said he with fierce 
 ness ; "for by heavens! I must have you for my own, if 
 there be energy in human power to effect it!" 
 
 At this moment the sound of a trumpet was heard. "It is 
 these cursed Indians," said he, starting to his feet, "that 
 are going to hold a council concerning our English prison 
 ers, a number of whom they are resolved to burn. I have 
 been trying to persuade them from it, but it wont do. They 
 must be gratified ; otherwise they ll go oil in dudgeon, and 
 I cannot spare them at present, lest the British under Dunbar 
 s.,ould think proper to make a trip this way. I must attend 
 their council now and save as many alive as I can." 
 
 Maria, whose humanity shuddered at this intelligence, and 
 who that moment thought upon the fate of Charles Adderly, 
 which, for aught she knew might be dependent upon the de 
 cision of this very council caught the Governor s arm as he 
 v, as going away. 
 
 " Oh, for the love of heaven ! Monsieur de Villien?, " said 
 she, "save these unfortunate men. God will bless you for 
 the deed." 
 
 "Since it is your wish, my sweet one," he replied, "I 
 shall do my utmost; but these savages claim so much merit 
 tor their lighting the day before yesterday, that I fear I shall 
 make but little, of them, especially as they captured these 
 men themselves. So eager, Miss Frazicr, are they for burn 
 ing their prisoners, that I am told a party of them left the 
 field of battle with one or two captives whom they were re 
 solved not lobe baffled in sacrificing, and canied them south 
 ward, lest, if they had brought them to the garrison, I should 
 have interfered to save them. But I perceive the old Mingo 
 prophet, Tonnaleuka, among them. This promises well, as 
 lie is always averse to burning prisoners, and he has more 
 power over them than I have. Between us, 1 think we shall 
 ! >e able to save some of these Englishmen." 
 
 "Oh, I beseech you. to save them all, if yon can," cried 
 Maria. 
 
 " Thai is impossible," he returned ; " I have already con-
 
 166 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 ceded that they should have at least twelve at their disposal ; 
 they claimed this as a rew-ard for their conduct in the late 
 battle, and I could not well refuse them. The present coun 
 cil is to determine how many more they shall have, as well 
 as to select the twelve for whom ihey have already stipula 
 ted. If the Min {jo prophet assists me, I think, however, we 
 shall he nhle to save the remainder." 
 
 " That prophet is a good man, " observed Maria; " I know 
 he will assist you, and may heaven also assist you in the 
 benevolent work. " 
 
 "Amen," said De Viliiers. "Good morning, my sweet 
 girl, I will think of your wishes, and if possible protect these 
 men. " 
 
 Shortly after De Viliiers departed, the sorrowful Maria 
 beheld from a window the wretched captives, nearly forty 
 in number, tied together, in pairs, and surrounded by several 
 hundred savages who were dancing, singing, halloing, and 
 exhibiting, in every grotesque and frantic manner that could 
 be conceived, their tiiumph over the unfortunate objects of 
 their baibarous mirth. Her heart for a moment rejoiced to 
 see that Charles Adderly was not among them : but it almost 
 immediately sunk within her, when she recollected that his 
 destruction was perhaps on that very account, the more cer 
 tainly inevitable, 
 
 "For he, alas, "she sighed, " my unfortunate Charles? 
 He must be in the hands of those inveterate savages, who 
 fled with their victims lest the French should rescue them 
 from their barbarity: Ah ! my Charles, to what an evil desti 
 ny have we both been born !" 
 
 As these reflections passed through her mind, she grew 
 dizzy, the surrounding objects wavered before her eyes and 
 she staggered back to her couch ; but there a tlood of tears 
 conning to her relief, she soon became again calm and resign 
 ed, and resumed her station at the window. Here her heart 
 warmed to behold Tonnaleuka. His presence seemed even 
 under the circumstances in which she beheld him, to throw 
 a certain consciousness of security around her, and an al 
 most confident hope that the poor captives who excited so 
 much of her sympathy, would escape uninjured. 
 
 He was earnestly talking to some of the Indian chiefs.
 
 THE \VILDERNESS. 167 
 
 who appeared to listen to him with great attention. At 
 ienirth i)(3 Vdliers went forward to him, and walking aside 
 wiiii him to some distance from the groupe, they seemed to 
 converse together i or about ten minutes \vith great earnest 
 ness. The Governor ilmn returned to the Indians, and giving 
 the word to march, a liourish of trumpets succeeded, and tiie 
 party, consisting almost altogether of Indians and prisoners, 
 proceeded out of the fortress. Tonnaleuka remaining some 
 distance behind, took an opportunity, after the Governor had 
 disappeared, when he was unnoticed by the sentinel, who 
 was looking after the procession, to make an obeisance to 
 ^iaria, who still remained at, the window, lie then lifting 
 his right hand to heaven, and putting it threo times on his 
 riirhi ear, thereby intimated his assurance, that God would 
 hear her prayers for protection, and afford her deliverance. 
 She motioned to him in token cf understanding his meaning 
 .itid he disappeared, leaving on tier mind a feeling of encour 
 agement, oi an indefinable, 1ml invigorating nature, as strong 
 ami cheering as it it imparted an almost certain conviction 
 that she was under the immediate care of heaven, and she 
 fell a degree of tranquillity and for.itude that she had not 
 betorc experienced since her captivitv. 
 
 In about t\vo hours, she heard the trumpets again sound 
 ing, and in a short time, the captives and their savaire con 
 querors returned into the fort. .Maria perceived that the 
 procession was not now so numerous as when it lelt the fort ; 
 but this excited no surprise in her mind, as the roving and 
 irregular habits of the Indians occasioned them often to dis 
 appear suddenly and unaccountably from scenes, in which it 
 mio-ht be expected, they would feel the highest interest. 
 
 The prisoners being conducted to their quarters, the In 
 dians dispersed, and the greater number of them instantly 
 left the tort; and DC: Villiers hastened to visit the lovely cap- 
 live whom he had immediately under his own custody. 
 
 "Miss Fra/ier," said he, as he entered her apartment; 
 " 1 am heartily jjlad to jret rid of these savages, and once 
 more enjoy the delight of your presence. It is like changing 
 the company of fiends for that of an angel. " 
 
 "Ah! sir, tel! me." she returned, "has any thing been 
 done for the poor F /ntjIir-hmrii . Have you serum 1 , then
 
 168 THK WILDERNESS. 
 
 " They are all safe, thank God ! " he replied ; " except the 
 twelve I mentioned to you who have been selected by lot. 
 I exerted myself greatlv since I knew it would please you. 
 
 "And what \\hat!" she asked, with much emotion, "is 
 to become of these unfortunate twelve ?" 
 
 " Why I fear much thai tin; savages will burn them, ac 
 cording to their custom in such cases," replied De Villiers. 
 
 And oh. Monsieur de Villiers," said she, " is there no 
 way left to save them from such a cruel fate? Have you 
 not force enough, influence enough, :o protect them. Oh, 
 think that these men nr-iy have tender relatives fathers, and 
 mothers, wives and children, whose hearts are at this day 
 in agony to ascertain their fate ! Oh, think, feel, if ihou 
 canst feel for the misery of others, what, will be their horror. 
 their distraction, when they hear thai those so dear to them 
 have come to such a terrible end. Oh, do something to save 
 them, I conjure thee. if thou wouldst expect salvation thy 
 self!" 
 
 " Why. my sweet enchantress," said he, "why plead no 
 strongly in behalf of men of whom thou knowest nothing, 
 and who neither know nor care any thing about thee ; and 
 yet be so imiiit eient to the prayers and entreaties of one 
 who adores thee . Why feel and tremble so much at the 
 idea of merti stranger.- bei:ig burned to death by a lire of 
 wood, and show so little compassion for one whose life thou 
 art barbarously consuming in the (lames kindled by thy own 
 charms ? Ah! why, cruel girl, accuse the savages of bar 
 barity to their victims, who are their enemies, when thou 
 art thyself as barbarous, and hard-hearted to thy own lover 
 to me, alas! who love you with a passion too violent for 
 me to bear long unrequited and live. 
 
 " Sir," said she, " it is to no purpose that you talk in this 
 mariner. Tell me, tell me, can you do any ihing to save 
 these unfortunate men?" 
 
 "Tell me first, my angel," returned lie, "can you, will 
 you do any thing to save me from a worse fate?" 
 
 " Oil, my God," she cried looking up to heaven, "direct 
 me, merciful Power ! what to say what to do! Alas, sir," 
 she continued casting- her eyes upon De Villiers, "to \vhai 
 straits would vou drive me, say say for heaven s i <:ike. 
 .-an YOU vive these men
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 169 
 
 " If you give me your hand at the altar," said he, after a 
 little apparent meditation, "as the price of their lives, you 
 shall have them, if I should turn out my garrison to rescue 
 ihein from the stakes." 
 
 Oh, heavenly Father!" she exclaimed, "to what a situ 
 ation am I reduced ! Alas, sir, I cannot, I cannot Oh, 
 hear me I would, ah ! 1 think I would jrive it to you to 
 save these victims, hut alas, it is pledged, irrevocably pledg 
 ed to another." 
 
 " \ our hand pledged to another!" exclaimed De Villiers, 
 rising from his seat in surprise, and pacing the room in great 
 irritation. "Your hand pledged to another, and no doubt 
 your heart too Miss Fruzier, is it not so !" 
 
 Aias, sir, I cannot deny it. Bin surely, surely, if it be 
 in your power, you will not let these unhappy prisoners 
 die/ 
 
 "Die!" he repealed, "yes that they must. But but, 
 perhaps, no," said he, suddenly changing his manner. " It 
 is that is, it may be still in your power to save them. You 
 are. not married, 1 hope?" 
 
 " No, sir." 
 
 Then, my lovely fair one, these men may yet be safe. 
 Let us make a bargain let your hand be mine, and their 
 lives shall be yours." 
 
 "Alas, sir, have 1 not told you that my hand is already 
 pledged. 
 
 " Mereiv pledged," cried he, " what signifies that ? A 
 mere verbal promise. The wind of the mouth, which, 
 when it passes into the air, is nothing. Miss Fnizier, you 
 will surely not place such a trifle, such a nonentity into 
 competition with the lives of twelve human beings. Say 
 the word, my sweetest, tenderest, loveliest of women, utter, 
 and they are safe." 
 
 "Alas, sir! Oh, what can I do? but it is impossible. 
 I cannot unsay whatl have said. 1 cannot forfeit my truth! 
 Ao, no, rather than that, let me first die the death allotted 
 to these men !" 
 
 " Then these men whom you devote; to the llainns shall 
 lie!" said he, and he hastened out of the room in a par- 
 ox vsm of rape.
 
 170 THK WILDERNESS. 
 
 In about twenty minutes the sound of trnrnpets was heard, 
 and a guard of soldiers appeared conducting twelve prison 
 ers across tin 1 court of the fortress opposite Maria s window, 
 at the distance of about twenty yards from which De Vil- 
 liers gave the word, and the party halted, and fronted to 
 wards the window. The prisoners with their heads un 
 covered, then kneeled and looked up to Maria, as if earnest 
 ly supplicating for some important favor. 
 
 De Villiers left them in this situation, and hastened to her 
 apartment. 
 
 "Look," said he, "hard-hearted girl, at those poor men 
 now under sentence to suffer, within one hour, the most 
 terrible of all deaths, burning at the stake ! Look at them 
 on their knees imploring tliee to deliver them from a fast 
 approaching and cruel late. I have told them that their 
 destiny is in thy hands, that if it pleascth thee, I will defend 
 them from the. vengeance of the condemnation that has been 
 passed against them. Wilt tliou save them, or wilt thon let 
 them perish 1 
 
 Maria looked at the men. Their uniforms of red, in 
 times of prosperity the most brilliant and imposing of all 
 warlike colors, now stained and tattered : their wobegone 
 countenances and wearied-out frames, their humble pos 
 ture, their hair uncovered and scattered lo the winds, to the 
 imagination of Maria, bespoke misery, hardship, and terror 
 in the extreme. She burst into tears as she beheld them : 
 for she reflected that these very men. had, perhaps, been 
 once happy in the enjoyment of domestic comforts, virtu 
 ous endearments, attachments ; and now. when on the very 
 verge of terminating their existence, of leaving all their joys 
 and affections behind them, and undergoing the most excru 
 ciating species of destruction, she beheld them imploring 
 her, who had it in her power to save them by foregoing 
 her own happiness, not to consign them to their awful doom 
 from any selfish consultation of her own wishes, but by 
 gratifying a man who besought her to become his wife, to 
 deliver them and restore them to safety. What was she 
 to do? Could she deny ])e Viiliers, and have these pour 
 supplicants carried oil ta instant destruction ; or could S!K 
 yield to his desires, and make herself miserable, and whnr
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 171 
 
 was the worst of all alternatives, ho unfaithful to Charles 
 Adderly? 
 
 De \ illicrs perceived her wavering, and he urged her to 
 a decision. "Five minutes, my love," said he, pulling out 
 his watch -Let five minutes pass without promising to 
 become my wife, and these men shall be ordered away to 
 the stakes and the faggots already prepared for their execu 
 tion " 
 
 "Oh, barbarous man ! have mercy, have mercy !" she ex 
 claimed. Her eyeballs swelled, her lips quivered and grew 
 pale, her limbs tottered under her, aad she fell backwards 
 upon the floor. " Cod of heaven, I have killed her ! cried 
 De Villiers. lie lifted her in his arms, placed her on the 
 lied, rind calling loudly for assistance, the attending squaw 
 made her appearance. Some stimulants were applied to 
 Maria s temples, and she soon began again to respire, and 
 recover her sensibility. She at length incoherently exclaim 
 ed : 
 
 " Oh ! tell me they have not surely sent them to the 
 flames! The governor cannot be so barbarous! Let them 
 he saved let ihem he saved 1 Alas! I cannot bear to have 
 them burned !" 
 
 [)e Villiers now made a signal out of the window, for the 
 troops and the prisoners to withdraw. Then returning io 
 Maria s bed-side?, he watched over her with great anxieiy. 
 until he saw the regular chain of her thoughts properly re- 
 sirred, which took place much sooner than lie expected. 
 His desire to work upon her feelings, so as to extort from 
 her a consent to marry him, returned with her recovery; 
 and to her inquiry of what had been done with the unfortu 
 nate prisoners, he replied : 
 
 " They are, my love, respited until to-morrow at noon, in 
 order that you may have time to deliberate leisurely, and 
 decide upon their fate and mine. And, oh ! may I conjure 
 you. Miss Fra/ier, before that time, to resolve on saying 
 the word which will save them from destruction and me 
 trom despair! I shall now leave you, that you may enjoy 
 repose, (live vour commands to llalmanna, this squaw, 
 and she will supply you with whatever the garrison can 
 afford to make von comfortable."
 
 172 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 So saying, he relieved Maria of his presence by with 
 drawing from the apartment. 
 
 The shock she had sustained had thrown her into a vio 
 lent fever ; and a certain wildness in her expression and 
 manner had become so apparent, as to alarm Ilalmanna, 
 who in consequence entertained some thoughts of acquaint 
 ing i)e Villiers with the circumstance, in order that medical 
 aid miofht be procured, when she saw the prophet Tonna- 
 leuka entering the house. Ilalmanna, who believed that if 
 either earl lily or spiritual aid could assist Maria, the prophet 
 was the most likely person to afford it, answered Tonna- 
 leuka s inquiry after Miss Frazier, by expressing a desire 
 that he should visit her, as she was very sick. 
 
 This be in <T exactly what Tonnaleuka intended to do, he 
 did not require a second invitation ; but: desiring the squaw 
 to remain below stairs, and not come near the apartment 
 unless sent for, while he remained with the young ladv, he 
 in a few moments was in Maria s presence. The very ap 
 pearance of this venerable man, who had from her infant v 
 been her guide, her oracle, and her friend, and the soothing, 
 parental sound of his voice, produced a powerful effect in 
 allaying her fever, which, having been occasioned altogether 
 by an over-wrought mental excitement, now obtained its 
 proper remedy in the application of comfort, encouragement, 
 and consolation. 
 
 Oh, my father," said she, as he advanced, "your Maria 
 has at length known misfortune she has suffered misery 
 she has felt despair. Oh, art thou now come, as thou wert 
 ever wont, to administer peace and comfort to my soul ?" 
 
 " My daughter, I am come for that purpose," replied the 
 prophet, sitting down beside her, "and I thank our Great 
 Father, it is in my power. 
 
 " My daughter, hear me ! My words arc comfort, and 
 they are truth. Thou hast this day been greatly imposed 
 upon by the wicked governor of this fortress ! The prison 
 ers whom thou sawest, are not condemned to suffer, nor are 
 there any now under such condemnation. Alas ! those who 
 were condemned twelve gallant soldiers, my heart still 
 bleeds for them were meanly given up by the Governor 
 ?r? I could interpose in their behalf, and in despite of all my
 
 THK WILDERNESS. 17H 
 
 vi?rtions, they were curried across the Allegheny river at 
 1,00:1 this day, -md committed to the flames. Their sulVer- 
 i;ii:s arc by this time terminated, and the tribes will, cm this 
 
 sion, require no more victim?. 
 
 Hear me, my daughter. Those who were sentenced 
 
 to die, returned not hack to the fort alter leaving it this 
 
 morning. A hand of Ottawas went directly with them to 
 
 place oi death, and many oi my red brothers who did 
 
 return 10 the fort, followed immediately after dismissal, to 
 
 ie\v the sacrifice. 
 
 Hear me further. A.S I Avas amidst the English prison- 
 
 rs. after the Indians had withdrawn, assuring them of their 
 .safety, for they understood not the language in which their 
 laie was decided, aad therefore knew it not. the Governor 
 .nine amonu them, lie ordered twelve of them to be sepa 
 rated from the- rest. Me promised them permission to re 
 turn to their countrymen under Colonel Dunbar, if they 
 would advance into the middle of the fortress-yard, and 
 ihere kneel, uncovered, before a young lady who should 
 :ppcar a; the window of her residence, and obtain in that 
 immble pasture, her consent to their enlargement. He in 
 formed them, that while makin<>; their supplications, they 
 hiKiid not speak, as the lady did not understand Kniflish ; 
 lor his whole scheme was a system of falsehood,) but that 
 
 lie himself ^hoidd convey to he t - the purport of their re- 
 .jiiesl. and report the lady s answer. lie has smce inform 
 ed them thai your answer will not bo t> iven till to-morrow 
 ;ioon. in ihe meaiiiime. ihe men are duped by this artifice 
 1o expect liber! v which he will not jjTant, as you have been 
 deceived into the belief that they were petitioning to be res 
 cued from a danger which they neither dreaded, nor have 
 any reason to dread. 
 
 "Therefore, my daughter, hear tnv advice. Persevere 
 in your refusal to become ibis man s wife. Powerful as he 
 is. the (Ireat Spirit is more powerful than he, and will frus 
 trate all his designs against you, because he loves virtue, 
 and you are virtuous, and because he hates vice, and this 
 man is vicious. Before many davs, I trust that the (Iivat 
 Spirit will raise up a deliverer tor von, and disappoint the 
 :vntnt in his desiyn*.
 
 171 THK WILDERNESS. 
 
 " -My daughter, treasure this my advice in your heart, and 
 fear neither the cunning nor the force of ihe tempter." 
 
 " F;ither, vou h.ave indeed comforted me." she replied. 
 "You have restored life to my soul. For myself, 1 now 
 fear noiimi .r. ?ince thou. whose words have never yet de 
 ceived me, iiast hade me not fear. But, oh father! forgive 
 my weakness, when I say I am still wretched, since there 
 is one whom thou knowest to he clear to me, in danger. 
 Alas ! ! need not name him. Canst thou tell me auirbi of 
 him ?" 
 
 "My daughter," said the prophet, "I know thy heart In 
 distressed on account of that youth, i have discovered the 
 path his captors have caused him to tread, and hope too, 
 that the Great Spirit will extend to him a share of that 
 mercy with which he is ever ready to aid the virtuous, and 
 that he will rescue him whose misfortunes you lament, from 
 the dangers that surround him. 
 
 "My daughter, I a<iain recommend you io he of good 
 cheer in all these mutters. Inform not the Governor thai 
 you know his perlidy. It would only exasperate him. and 
 induce him to have recourse to other stratagems which might 
 involve you in fresh trouhles. .Require time to deliberate. 
 ere you give, an answer to his demands. A little delay may 
 bring you deliverance. But never, never, on an\ account, 
 answer him according his wishes. i or, mv dauuin. :, 
 you know him io he wicked. I idling your late with him, 
 would be, therefore, io join in his wickedness. But i need 
 not counsel you thus, since 1 know that your virtue is firm, 
 and your heart constant." 
 
 Oh, father," said she, seizing the prophet s hand and 
 kissing it, while she moistened it with tears of gratitude and 
 joy, "thou hast ever been to me the source of wisdom and 
 the inspirer of virtue. Next to my heavenly Preserver, 1 
 owe to thee the chief blessings of my life. Whilst thou 
 watchest over my safety, methinks that no evil can befall 
 me. Oh, lather, wilt thou watch over that of Charles Ad- 
 derly { Alas ! what would protection be to me, if he meets, 
 with destruction !" 
 
 " My daughter, hear me all dial is in my power to do 
 for that young 1 man, is now doing 1 ; and when I say I doubt
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 175 
 
 not of hib safety, why should you doubt of it l . Why should 
 vou tremble, when 1 say to you, be of good cheer on his 
 account as well a? your own I Our great Father, on whom 
 you must never forget to place your principal dependence, 
 will never fail you.- He will, as the oracles of your religion 
 say, make all things work to<n-ther for the good of those 
 that love him. 
 
 " My child, that military parade at which the Governor 
 is now employed, will soon be over, tie will then, no 
 doubt, return to you. I must therefore withdraw. May 
 the Great. Being on whom you depend, protect you, and 
 keep you firm ! 
 
 lie now departed but before leaving the house, he laid 
 upon Halmanna his commands that she should inform no 
 one of his visit to the sick lady. 
 
 " Thanks to Mane to," said he, il she is now free from her 
 fever, liut a worse complaint will seize thee, Halmanna, 
 if thou disobeyest my directions." 
 
 Far be it from me," replied Ilalmanna trembling, "to 
 disobey the prophet of Maneto." 
 
 " Then may Maneto bless thee," said Tonnaleuka, and 
 waving his awful wand over her head, he disappeared.
 
 170 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Ask me not what the maiden feels, 
 Left in that dreadful hour alone; 
 Perchance her reason stoops or reels 
 Perchance a courage not her own 
 Braces her mind to desperate tone. 
 
 SCOTT. 
 
 IN about half an hour after liie prophet withdrew, De 
 Villiers visited Maria. He expressed great satisfaction to 
 find that she was so much better than he had expected ; but 
 as she felt an inclination for repose, and informed him of it, 
 he conceived that indulging her in it at this time, would con 
 tribute greatly to the further restoration of her health and 
 serenity. lie therefore shortened his visit, and briefly ex 
 horting her for the sake of the unhappy prisoners, as he 
 called them, for his sake, and for her own, before the ap 
 pointed hour, to determine on being his wife, he withdrew 
 without offering her any species of rudeness. 
 
 The next morning, wishing to gain somewhat upon her 
 esteem, by a conciliating demeanor, and a show of delicacy 
 towards her, he admitted her plea of indisposition, and did 
 not insist on joining her at breakfast. Shortly afterwards, 
 however, he entered her apartment. She appeared tranquil 
 and resigned, because the suggestion of hope had afforded 
 her consolation, and inspired her with fortitude. There 
 was, in consequence, a sweetness in her looks, and an in 
 crease of her charms, unknown or unthought of by herself, 
 which rendered her appearance altogether more irresistibly 
 fascinating than he thought he had ever before beheld it. 
 His passion for her was therefore more than usually in 
 flamed. But afraid of again occasioning her such a degree 
 of mental excitement as had overpowered her the preceding 
 evening, he resolved to restrain the impetuosity of his feel-
 
 THK WILDERNESS. 177 
 
 ngs, and, if possible, arldress her in language that should 
 vieither alarm nor offend her. 
 
 " Miss Frazicr," said he, "I need scarcely express my 
 lappiness at seeing your serenity and contentment so far 
 restored while under my roof, that I think you could in time 
 bring yourself to live comfortably with me. This circum- 
 -tance affords me some hope that my application for your 
 land may not be altogether in vain, and that perhaps you 
 have come to the resolution to decide favorably upon the 
 important affair now committed to your award." 
 
 "Sir," she replied, "I have been thinking of that affair ; 
 but it is really one of too much importance to be decided 
 without more deliberation than 1 have yet given it." 
 
 "Ah! Miss Frazier," said he. "surely you cannot hesi 
 tate to interpose a single word between twelve fellow-beings 
 and destruction ; and you know the hour speedily approach 
 es, which, without that interposition, shall consign them to 
 their fate." 
 
 " Monsieur De Villiers," said she, "I have never yet 
 asked a favor from you for myself, and when I first entered 
 these walls I conceived that 1 never should. I have now 
 ehanjred my mind *o far as to make a request, which I hope 
 you will not refuse to grant." 
 
 "Ask it, my sweet one," he replied, "and anything but 
 parting with you, that is within the compass of my power to 
 grant, I pledge my honor shall not be denied yon." 
 
 " My request is moderate," she replied, " altogether with 
 in your power to grant. It is only that I may be indulged 
 with a few davs longer time to deliberate on this matter ; 
 for I feel it impossible to bring my mind to such an instan 
 taneous change of feeling, as to forget, the youth to whom I 
 am pledged, and promise to wed another, by the mere effort 
 of only one day s consideration." 
 
 lie paced the room for sometime in silent meditation after 
 hearmir this request. At length, he said, 
 
 It is perhaps reasonable,; it is perhaps natural, that 
 this should be so ; and you will never lind me, mv bewitch 
 ing irirl, inclined to treat you unreasonably. \ on shall 
 have a few days ; but, oh! let them be few for my heart 
 longs, exceedingly longs, to call you its own !"
 
 178 
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 "Give me one week," said she; "alas ! I fear even thai 
 will be too short for my purpose !" 
 
 " .My fairest love !" cried he, "must I postpone my bliss 
 so long ? But I will indulge thee. I will show thee by so 
 doing, that 1 value thy comfort, thy wishes, more than 1 do 
 my own. I will now hasten to inform the unfortunate Eng 
 lishmen that they have obtained from thee at least one week s 
 reprieve from their awful sentence: and oh ! may they at 
 last obtain from thy humanity their final deliverance! 
 Think not that 1 am cruel towards them, my fair one. 
 Alas ! thon art cruel towards me ; and if they he sacrificed, 
 it shall be to thy barbarity they shall be the victims of my 
 rejected love." 
 
 She made no replv to !his hypocritical address; for her 
 soul despised his deception, and she even feared to look at 
 him, lest the indignation of her eyes sbould betray that she 
 was aware of his falsehood. Very much to her satisfac 
 tion, however, he scarcely wailed lor a reply, hut. with the 
 sell-congratulating air of a man who has sained a great tri 
 umph, he bade her <iood morning, and retired. 
 
 The next day happened to be a gala day among the 
 French, whether on account of its being the birth day ot a 
 saint or a grand moitftrque., is immaterial, and arrantrements 
 had been made for celebrating it by a grand fete, in which 
 the greater portion of the soldiers were to be engaged. 
 About two hundred and fifty, it was resolved, should pro 
 ceed about mid-day to a rising ground, now called Grant s 
 Hill, nearly half a mile to the eastward of the fort, where it 
 was intended that they should march, and countermarch, 
 fire artillery and musketry, eat a hearty dinner, and get 
 drunk, and sing, and swear, and dance, and cut capers, un 
 til they were tired ; when they should return in the even 
 ing to the fort, tumble into iheir couches, and snore off their 
 debauch like gay fellows. 
 
 At about twelve o clock, the whole garrison was accord 
 ingly put in motion, the soldiers and officers running pro 
 miscuously to and fro upon the parade ground, where they 
 were to fall into ranks, previous to their marching for the 
 scene of revelry. 
 
 Maria had just stationed herself at her window, to view
 
 IHi: WILDERNESS. 179 
 
 i lie scene, when she beheld the Tonnaleuka entering tlie 
 fortress-gate, accompanied by an Indian chief, of a tall and 
 majestic figure. Do YTiliers had, at this moment, entered 
 upon the parade-ground, I or the purpose of ordering the 
 troops to assume their ranks. lie halted as, he perceived 
 she prophet and the chiel advancing towards him. Alter 
 i onversing a lew minutes with the former, he made an obei 
 sance to the hitter ; and calling upon a soldier, he gave him 
 some instructions, when the soldier led the way, followed 
 by Tonnaleuka and his companion, to the governor s house. 
 In a short time, the soldier returned to take his place in the 
 ranks ; and in less than fifteen minutes more, the drums and 
 tiles struck up a quick march, and the whole party proceed 
 ed to Grant s Hill. Soon afterwards, Maria perceived the 
 prophet alone crossing the area before her window, towards 
 the irate. He looked suddenly back, at a time when he was 
 unnoticed by any on? in the yard, and hastily saluting her, 
 continued his way out of the fort. 
 
 There was an air of something of importance and satis 
 faction visible in his manner. She even thought, that, at the 
 time he saluted her, she had seen, what she did not recol 
 lect ever before to have seen, a smile playing on his coun 
 tenance, and she could not but feel confident that some event 
 wa- about to take place for her advantage. 
 
 She was occupied with these thoughts, when Halmanna, 
 entering the room, informed her that she had been command 
 ed by the Mingo prophet to conduct a duel of the Piantia 
 tribe into her apartment, but not to reveal the circumstance 
 to any other person in the garrison. 
 
 "What can the chiel want with me ?" thought Maria. 
 "But he can want nothing but good, since his errand is sanc 
 tioned by Touna euka. " She therefore desired Halmanna 
 to admit him. Her heart beat violently as she heard his 
 steps advancing. She rose to meet him, and beckoned the 
 squaw, who was entering before him, to retire. He was 
 dressed in an elk-skin robe, the long skirls of which reached 
 below the calves of his legs. This robe was closely wrap 
 ped round his waist, so as to show the well-formed con 
 figuration of his person, and fastened securely there with a 
 broad belt, fantastically, but rather handsomely, ornamented
 
 180 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 with porcupine s quills dyed of various colors. His arms 
 were covered with a kind of roller, made of stripes of the 
 soft fur-skins of the smaller animals, neatly enough attached 
 to each other with thongs of half-tanned deer-skin, and 
 wound round the arms from the shoulders to the wrists. 
 At the shoulders, the elbows, and the wrists, these rollers 
 were kept in their places by leathern bands, also ornamented 
 with variegated porcupine s quills. His cap wns of a very 
 showy description, made of beaver-skin, with a high plume 
 formed of feathers of different dyes, which, glittering in the 
 sun as he moved along the fortress-yard, produced to the 
 eye of the spectator a very striking and brilliant effect. Tas 
 sels, made of small feathers, also of various colors, hung in 
 abundance, eight or nine being on each side, over his ears 
 and down his cheeks, so as to shade and partly conceal them ; 
 forming, on the whole, a singularly beautiful and gaudy cos 
 tume. His feet and legs were covered with mockasins and 
 legions, in the usual manner of the Indians. 
 
 This chief, so majestic in his person and splendid in his 
 apparel, on entering the chamber of Maria, approached her 
 evidently with much emotion, and, to her great astonishment, 
 addressed her in English. 
 
 " How sorry I arn, Miss Frazier" said he, "to find you a 
 captive in such a place, and in the hands of such a man ! 
 But I forget you do not know me in this disguise. Alas ! 
 has the form of him who loves you with an ardor beyond 
 whatever man has felt for woman, made so slight an impres 
 sion upon your mind, that the mere changing of the l;ue of 
 his countenance can conceal him from your recollection ? 
 Must I name to you the man who loves you with a tender 
 ness and a devotedness, which none but himself can ever 
 feel ? alas, must I name to you GEORGE WASHINGTON ? 
 
 "Oh, my friend!" cried she, alarmed for his safety 
 friend of the oppressed ! hero of thy country ! how is it 
 that you have ventured upon this dangerous ground ? I trem 
 ble lest you be discovered. The Indians would have no 
 mercy upon you, and the French who possess this place are 
 scarcely less barbarous." 
 
 " To rescue you, my soul s beloved," he replied, " I did 
 not hesitate to venture hero. Ah, where would I not ven-
 
 THE WILDKKNKSS. 181 
 
 tu re tor such a pupose ! But, fear not, Miss Frazier, 1 
 come strong in the confidence of doing a good deed ; strong 
 in the confidence that he who has preserved me amidst more 
 eminent clangers, will preserve me through this ; or if I 
 should fall doing my duty, and in the attempt to serve thee, 
 thou fairest, most injured of my country s daughters, it shall 
 be a fall so honest, so glorious, that rny conscious spirit will 
 in other regions look back upon it as a matter of joy and 
 exultation." 
 
 " Ah, sir!" said she ; "was it not rash to risk that life on 
 which, perhaps, the salvation of a nation depends, for the 
 afety of an individual !" 
 
 " It i* never rash to perform our duty," replied the hero ; 
 " no matter what may be the risk. Thou wert in distress. 
 I was informed of it. That information was a call from 
 heaven to hasten to thy rescue, and I fear not but that heav 
 en will assist me in accomplishing it." 
 
 " Yes," said she ; " 1 have confidence in your success, al 
 though I know not by what means yon intend to effect it. 
 }{ut you are the favorite of heaven, and whatever you may 
 undertake I know will succeed. Hut were you not afar oil 
 when I was seized ? It is yet but a lew days since. By 
 what strange means could you hear it, and by what miracle 
 are you here, in the midst of the terrors of fort I)u Quesne 
 so soon, and uninjured?" 
 
 I shall inform you," said he. "It was the evening before 
 yesterday. 1 had just returned from the procession which 
 conveyed General Braddock to his last home, when your 
 brother Paddy entered my tent. lie acquainted me in a few 
 words, but they were words that cut me to the heart, that. 
 the French had attacked your father s house, and carried 
 vou oil to Fort Du Quesne, by order of its Governor. Alas, 
 i bought I, now indeed is come to pass that 1 which I long 
 feared would be the consequence of so much beauty living 
 ~o far from the protection of the laws and customs of regu 
 lar society ! But it was no time for retrospection. How 
 to rescue you from your ravishers was the only question. 
 To think of force was vain. The remnant of the Virginians 
 left by the late battle, scarcely exceed a hundred, and Dun 
 bur is commar der n| the regular?. Hut even had 1 possessed
 
 182 THK WILDERNESS. 
 
 an adequate force with which to attack this fortress, to bring 
 that force against it, would not have been the surest way to 
 effect your deliverance. It would have warned the tyrant 
 that he was in danger of losing you. and he would have re 
 moved you to some secret place, where perhaps all our dili 
 gence could not have found you. Personal exertions were, 
 therefore, the only means I had left, and I resolved to try 
 them. The prophet had desired me to meet him in his cav 
 ern, with as little delay as possible, in order to decide upon 
 the measures we should adopt. Before coming to any de 
 termination, therefore, I thought proper to hasten there. 
 
 "I accordingly informed Colonel Dunbar, who, on ac 
 count of the harrassed and fatigued state of his men, does 
 not intend to leave his present station for several days, of 
 my intended absence ; and furnishing Paddy with a horse, 
 he led the way with great rapidity, and we arrived at the 
 prophet s concealment last night. I at once approved of the 
 plan he had formed, and as he had already provided all that 
 we conceived necessary for its execution, we set out from 
 his cavern about two hours since, and, thank Providence, 
 have thus far succeeded. The rest remains for the night to 
 accomplish. All that I require of you is, that you will be 
 courageous and linn in the part you will have to act. Ton- 
 naleuka provided a disguise for you as well as for me, and 
 as soon as the people of the garrison have gone to rest, if 
 we can only make our way out of the fort, he will be in 
 waiting at no great distance, with horses ready to carry us 
 to safety. This is the dress you are to assume." 
 
 He here produced, from under his robe, the habiliments 
 of a squaw. 
 
 " These," he continued, " when the proper time arrives, 
 you will throw over your other cloths, and thus concealed, 
 you will act as my interpreter with the sentinel, and solicit 
 his permission for me to pass out of the fort to worship, ac 
 cording to the custom of tiie Piantia chiefs, beneath the red- 
 oak tree, to which you are to guide me." 
 
 "Alas!" said she, "if the sentinel refuses, we shall ba 
 detected, and then oh, sir, your destruction will be inevi 
 table. It is better not to attempt it it io, indeed, too dan 
 gerous. Why should you suffer along with me. Let me
 
 . own misfortunes alone! It would onlv double 
 r weight upon mv head., if your ^enerosilv should in- 
 e YOU in them." 
 
 Tear nothing, dearest. Maria!" returned Washington; 
 ntinel should refuse, 1 shall have a remedy ;.; hand, 
 need not now trouble ourselves with the f"ar of such a 
 . for 1 assure you, that if we overcome all others, 
 . overcome thai also. " 
 Aii! I perceive," she exclaimed. " that there are indeed 
 .icuhies of a perilous natuie. The Governor may 
 md discover you here, and you will be undone." 
 lie knows me only/ said Washington, "as the charac 
 ter 1 now personate a chici of the Piaiitia tribe, come here 
 by order of his nation, to form a treaty of alliance with the 
 ch. Tonnahmka is my interpreter, and the Governor 
 i^ieed to !_ r ive us nn audience to-morrow morninir after 
 :fa- 1. In the mean tune he ha< ijivcn directions that I 
 shall be entertained in this house with all proper respecl. 
 T .uaw lialmanna has received her particular instruc- 
 i :om the prophet, which, you are aware, she will not 
 ly induced to disobey. As to the Governor iindini* 
 : e, he will, yon maybe assured, return with no much 
 
 bu tie and noise from the revel.-., to take me by surprise, and 
 I an easily resume the apartment that has been alotted lo 
 . before he advances to the hoii.^e. So, on the whole, 
 . i Ya/icr, 1 do not see that 1 stand in much danger of 
 
 ected." 
 
 I trus; in God that you will not be detected, she ob- 
 ved, "and i believe the mailer is prudently arranged. | 
 II endeavor lo do all in mv power to promote its suc- 
 s; tor, alas! upon its success alone does mv deliverance 
 n a horrible destiny depend. 
 
 I o hill suspicion as much as possible, and also with the 
 \v ol makinu liiinsi 11 acquainted with the dillereiil par!.- 
 h" lorti licatlon, so as to be serviceable to an\ expedition 
 uiviit herealter accompany ai; ain.-a n, h 1 walked, during 
 a 1 lenn i in. opeul\ and lively round tiie yards and houses, 
 mlely inspectino- the whole ci rctimv allaiion. ihe trench, 
 ilillerent redoubts, and whatever aihled to the sire n^ih of
 
 a place which had now excited a high degree oi terroi 
 throughout ail ihr provinces of British America. 
 
 Towards the cvcniiiir, the re\cllers on Grant s 1 1 ill n 
 tu.-ned to the fort, as AVashininon liad foreseen, \vitli nine 1 ! 
 noise ;uid obstreperous mirtli, the greater numher of then 
 being almost overcome with intoxication. On their a; 
 proach. A\ ashinu;on retired to his apartment, \vh.ere h- 
 anxiously awaiied the hour when he mitrht again visit hi" 
 heloved, and conduct her to safety. 
 
 l)e \ iiliers entered her apa.rtment as soon as he had di- 
 missed the soldiers. llis spirits were under considerable 
 excitement from the wine and the jollity he had been ju 
 enjoying, and when he beheld Maria more than usual! \ 
 cheerful and charming 1 , he fell a stron<r proprensitv to break 
 through the agreement he had made with her, and to del;: . 
 no longer that bliss for which he so ardently longed. lie: 
 manner, however, more dignified, calm, and collected than 
 he had seen it since she entered the fort, convinced him, lei 
 he was not so intoxicated as to be totally incapable of r 
 flection, that this could not be accomplished but bv the al 
 solute application of perhaps more than even his own pei 
 sonal force : and he could not but recoiled, inflamed as h 
 was with both love and wine, that the perpetration of :i: 
 deed in such a manner, would render him detestably loath 
 some to her forever after, and mio ht also be the meai;- 
 her instant destruction. 
 
 After entering the room, and saluting her, he sat c li/in.; 
 at her for several minutes in silence, absorbed in reflections 
 of this nature. At length, resolving to restrain his impeti - 
 osity, he muttered to himself, but unconsciously in an and 1 
 ble tone, >,o, by heavens ! 1 shall not be guilty of sue i 
 lolly. It 1 h;n e patience, 1 shall have her on more ajrre 1 
 able term<." Then, recollecting that she must have hear i 
 him, "Bewitching heinjj ! you have set me mad, von hav 
 rendered me wild! cried he aloud "by the sorcery <i 
 your charms ! Ah, bv heavens! von know not the sacr 
 rice I make in delaying my bliss!" 
 
 Here the blood gushed to his face, his eyes became in 
 flamed, and darted the, very tire of passion. 
 
 "Hell and fiends!" he exclaimed. " if 1 must bear tlv
 
 i in-: v, iLDCiiM .s-. 1 Sn 
 
 ii-rmciM longer, it cannot he in the overpowermo presence 
 nl !M r bounties :" 
 
 ."-M> sa\ mir. lie rushed out ol ihe room, to the yrea! relief 
 ( Maria, who trembled in every limb, as she witnessed the 
 Ji-rrih itiii i ur\ of his lawless and wicked" passions, which 
 t -id ihus <;-aiiicd such fearful ascendancy o\cr both his rea- 
 si it ;nni his will. 
 
 The Li ovcnior hastened into his own sitting-room, and 
 Cor one or hvo ol his, officers. \\illi xvh .iin h" resolved 
 to heeome dead drunk, in order lo hury :n the irul! oi ine- 
 I !i i;:i: ni lh<! reincnihrance of Maria s, charms, and. the nn 
 <_ I atilied tortures of passion which ihev excited. 
 
 \\ ashinglon s ap;ir:inenf adjoined that in which these 
 I Venehmen no\v ([unfl ed their wine inquartf ulls, and roan;d 
 (nit their bruiish and clamorous joviality in siiiiniiir and 
 ?- \vea I liii. 1 . until ihe \vliole house ri:ni> with the noise. At 
 linii th, although a; a prenv late hour, he had the satisfaction 
 to perceive, !>v their clamor gradually becoming more i eeble 
 : ml interrupted, that the potent olisprina" oi the gra|>e was 
 lav in" his heaviest hand upon them, and would soon su> 
 I end their faculties altogether. A short time, indeed, ac 
 complished this !, latter. A dead stillness succeeded the 
 noiocs and unbounded noise that, had so lately filled this 
 rcMKui of debauchery, and Washington justly concluded thai 
 Hie re\ellers had sunk into Miipor and insensibility upon the 
 --cene of their enjoyment. And although he conceived that 
 Hie circmnsiaiice was favorable for the enterprise he had on 
 hand, vei he could nol but feel a panu" of mortification and 
 orrow, when he reilected 0:1 the deifradalion and debase 
 Micni ot human nature \\hich this scene presented to his 
 inn. mation.
 
 ill- > 
 
 CHAPTER \\ I. 
 
 IT was nearly twelve o clock. Everything in the (iov 
 
 cmor s house \vas still and silent ;is death: even ihc - 
 had reiired to rest, and. excepting those of Washington and 
 Maria, it is probable thai there was not at thai moment a 
 \\ akHul eye under its rool . 
 
 Y> ashin<rton stole ca.iitionsly on! of doors, in order to 
 
 view the stale of mailers in other p;,rts of the a arrison. Al 
 
 was as motionless am! sil 3 heart could wish. The 
 
 red tramp of : nel at the fortress crnle, war 
 
 U) he heard ; and. alihoii/h it \vas in the middle oi 
 
 .Iul\\the clouds ofniirh! seemed to perform their office \\ n! 
 
 much etfect. and the face of nature was enveloped in a tol 
 
 ei-a!)!v thick mantle of darkness. 
 
 liavinof ascertained this favorahl, ; situation of ihiiio-s. liu 
 younu" hero hem his soul to the husiness for whicli lie iiad 
 thus ventured into the stronghold of his enemies. He as 
 eended to the chaniher of Maria. He found her wailin; 
 with impatience for his appearance. 
 
 "Miss Fraxier," said h.e. "thank heaven, the moment i 
 favorable. Haste, lovely maiden, throw on your disffuiso. 
 Ho of o-ood courage, and let us jirocc^ed from this abode ol 
 wickedness and brutality. (Jod will assuredly open ill- 
 \vav tor us."
 
 187 
 
 \ minute, or two s > 1112 lit. 
 
 m s ;rm. They descended the s airs slo\viv and 
 
 ; noise, and bold walked across the. area towards 
 
 
 I i ,dio ! w!io COD en ,inel. 
 
 ou arc tuy interpreter, remember, whispered \\ash- 
 to Maria, --as i do not speak Frene; 
 
 \\ c. arc friends, Jam to the sentinel, imita- 
 
 > well as she eonld. the pronunciation and tone of a 
 
 U". 
 
 And where are you iniimr, my friends," asked the sol- 
 dier, "at this hour. Why does your comrade remain dumb, 
 
 s . " 
 
 This is t ne Indian chief," sho replied, " that came hero 
 
 >-<lay with the Min^ o prophet, lie cannot speak your 
 
 inifiiaiie, and on that, account, requested me to solicit your 
 
 permission for him to pass out to worship the (Ireat Spirit 
 
 .ih the branches of the red oak, as all the duels ofhis 
 
 nation have been accustomed to do at this hour ol the niirht, 
 
 \\ice every moon, once in the full, and once in the wane." 
 
 Ami p /ay, Mrs. Squaw, what is your business with this 
 :l : Let him QO and worship till he rots, if lie ple-ises ; 
 ml lor von, my dame, I would advise you rather to io to 
 sleep, lie can worship devoutly enough without your help, 
 i dare ay. Turn back, misiress, if yon please." Here 
 thf si ntinel pushed her somewhat back from him, while 
 she replied, in considerable fright 
 
 Ah, sir, my irood soldier! I must indeed go with this 
 duel . llti is a stringer, and does not know wliere to find 
 a red oak tree 1 mm-! ouide him." 
 
 Let him take the first tree he in: ets, " said the sentinel: 
 il \\ dl answer the same purpose whether it be oak or luck- 
 orv. lid as lor you, dame square-iocs. I say you >-h:dl not 
 par-- here; lo-!iit;-hl. ."No, by St. IVler! I shant risk disobey- 
 inu orders so lar. " 
 
 Sir," observed .Maria, her- a<nlation havin<f so much 
 increased tliat slie ior<rol her assumed character ol tlu sijiiaw 
 ami t i the surprise of the soldier, spoke ^ood l^rendi 
 "Sir," said she, " this chiel dechires that he will not jjo 
 \viilioul me. Oh ! pra\ , do now, my nood frieml, permit us 
 boil i to pass, and heaven \\ ill ble>-. yon !
 
 "Tleli! who am you?" cried the sentinel. "1 protest 
 you .seem somewhat too christianized fora squaw. i5y the 
 holy mother! hut I believe there is something wron? in thi>; 
 a ] air. Tlh 1 (i.ivernor lias a lady in his kerpinir. i think 1 
 must keep you both within the walls till we see who you 
 a iv I ll he broiled, if it would not cost me a bullet in KIV 
 heart, if I allowed that lady to escape. Back to your quar 
 ters this, moment, or by the devil ! I shall call the guard. " 
 
 Alas?" said the frightened Maria in English to Wash 
 ington. \\liile the sentinel w:is uttering this tirade; " we arp 
 discovered, we are ruined ! Ah me ! he threatens to call the 
 liau rd upon us ! " 
 
 At that instant the sentinel seized Maria rudely by the 
 arm, and endeavored to separate her from the chief, calling 
 out loudly for the assistance of the truard ; but the next 
 instant IK; fell, with a danger plunged to the hilt by the 
 whole of Washington s tremendous force in his heart. 
 
 The hero seized the trembling Maria in his arms, for ter 
 ror had rendered her unable to support herself, and hasten- 
 iniT with his beloved burden out of the fort, to the spot, where 
 Tonnaleukn, attended by Paddy Frazier, had appointed to 
 wait with horses. Maria was in a moment placed on one of 
 them, and her strength beinir sufficiently recovered, Tonua- 
 leuka led the way through the woods ; and Washington and 
 Paddy brought up the rear. 
 
 The numerous shots they heard fired from different direc 
 tions round tiie fort, soon told them, as they rode secure! v 
 through the intricacies of the forest, that the garrison was 
 alarmed, and that the next day there would in all probability 
 be a hot pursuit made after the sweet, fugitive who had thus 
 escaped from the fan<rs of a tyrant. 
 
 About an hour and a half brought them to Tonnalenka s 
 cavern, iroin whence Paddy removed the horses to a close 
 dii)<jle at some distance, for the sake of pasturage and con 
 cealment. 
 
 Some slight refreshment, and the cnncioiisness of secu 
 rity from the power of the tyrant who had threatened the 
 rum of her happiness, together with she relief from despond 
 ing reflections, which the hurry and excitement of her flight 
 had produced, now restored Maria to a train of pleasing and
 
 fllK WIU)KR\KS.S. 18 J 
 
 grii- ful ideas, and she could not refrain from expressing her 
 st n-;e D! (lie happiness she felt in being under the protection 
 oi "ue fries, ds, and of the obligations she was under to the 
 brave youth, whose prudence and heroism alone could have, 
 wiiii the blessing of providence, effected her deliverance. 
 
 Ah! Colonel Washington," said she, "to you I owe 
 more obligation and gratitude than I can express. " 
 
 Miss Frazier," he replied, "to the Almighty I owe 
 th:::iks that he has made me the humble instrument of pre- 
 MTvinjr the loveliest of his creatures from wretchedness. I 
 ou<: these thanks for this never-to-be-forgotten blessing, even 
 on my own account; for, alas! had that, son of barbarity 
 HI veeded in his designs against you never, never from 
 t ! i it day should I have known comfort in this world. Miss 
 F: Mzier, I have told you often with what ardor and sincerity 
 1 love vou, how much my happiness in life depends upon 
 a union with you ; and although vou have not thought pro 
 per to encourage my passion, by affording me one single 
 whisper in its approval, yet I have persisted to love you, 
 ahd even 10 look forward with a fond hupe to the day when 
 von might be brought to afford me some return of affection, 
 ami perhaps receive me as the happy partner <)! your fate." 
 
 lie here paused for a moment, Mis heart was full; but 
 Maria appearing too much affected to reply, he soon ve- 
 sMiied 
 
 "Ah. tiiiiik. beloved of my soul ! bow much your present 
 s, liialion requires a protector how absolutely it is necess- 
 ary that you , : .hou!d leave this law!e-s Wilderness, where 
 men of untamed, and licentious passions rule every thing 
 iM fordincr to th.-ir wicked fancies and caprices, unrestrained 
 by cither the laws or the opinions of civilized society. For 
 \our own sake, for you are now become the mark ajjainst 
 , hdiii the violence of their rullian passions will be diiec- 
 ; (! for the sake of that angelic, purity which is here ex 
 posed to the attacks of fiends for the sake of your own 
 i appincss, the rum oi which is pursued with barbarous avid- 
 iv by lh< tyrants of these \vibls, llv with me to the pro- 
 !ction of society and laws. (Jive me me, who will other 
 wise never enjoy this world with satisfaction, the light to 
 lecome your protector, and to secure you an asylum where
 
 ran WILDI RM:PS. 
 
 none will dare to molest you, am 
 love mav al.-o live in security and con 
 
 "My brave, my generous pro;! "i . 
 
 can 1 answ< r ;. on ! Would to (-ccl 
 your kindnc; s, lhal \ could show ; 
 
 
 
 ! nr 
 
 valued, my most, admired friend, you ask H 
 
 my power to give what is not mi : :e to give" she 
 
 checked hersi !f for a moment, and then resumed "ye?;; ! 
 
 will intrust liiee wi h the secret of my hear!. I ov 
 
 ihis all! wha.t do 1 ntft owe ihee! bul nn < 
 
 thru shall have. Perhaps 1 have withheld it loo lon<>:. and 
 
 thereby encouraged ihee to entertain hopes which, i 
 
 sorry am i to say. must end in disappointment mv ; 
 
 sir, is another s." 
 
 "Another s!" exclaimed Washington, s!a2 <2 erinir back.. 
 and fora moment turning pale; but soon the violence ol 
 the shock, severe as it was. yielded to the native energy o. 
 his heroic soul; a moment s struirtrlc took place, and lit 
 recovered his composure, although not his ease of mind. 
 
 I am to blame, sir." .-he continued, "for not revealiiu 
 
 \vas ungenerous enough to fear tin C fl i c-l i < : 
 between vou and the youili who had jr-i med my aiieclion.-- 
 helbre I saw you, for, believe me, that, ou.n -.vlu ii \-ou jlrs 
 sought, my lieaal, it was not mine to give you." 
 
 Then, Maria," said Washington, vvhh yreat calnm^s. 
 "I know my fate it is 10 linger out a life in this world, a, - 
 long as Providence rnav jilea^e to cominue, i; here, wiihoir 
 seeking, without hojtinir, without earinir for personal hajipi- 
 ness. But I ;:m resign; (i. It is the will of Providence. 
 My soul, I know, shall never sink under any calamity, 
 since it does not now sink under this, which is the severe*; 
 i can ever experience. But, Miss Fra.zier, alihouoh I car 
 submit without murmnrinir either at you. or at Prevideii -e. 
 io this forlornness of mv own fate; although I can submit 
 to part with those blissful hopis which for more than 
 eighteen moiiihs. have formed the jrreat solace of mv hie
 
 THE WlLOKKNKrf.S. 191 
 
 the hopes of \ ou and happiness yet your welfare, believe 
 me, is as great an object of solicitude with me as ever. I 
 therefore nun in repent an otl er I once beiore made to you, 
 tlint YOU, anil all your friends and it must be remembered 
 that from this date your friends will bo no longer safe in 
 this neighborhood should remove to \iro-inia, where I 
 shall ensure to settle tiiem in comfort, safety, and respect 
 ability." 
 
 She was about to replv, when the sound of footsteps 
 hastily advancing alon^ the dark passage of the cavern, ar 
 rested their at emion. in a moment Doctor Killbreath ap 
 peared, and without eeremonv aedressed Tonnaleuka : 
 
 " Your petition has been granted, father; but it only 
 prolongs Captain Adderly s life nil Monday at noon. 
 
 "Alas! what of Captain Axlderly !" exclaimed Maria, 
 where is he f . oh, tell me tell me : for heaven s sake, what 
 is to become ol mv Charles!" 
 
 At the prophet s request," ic] doctor inconsid 
 
 erately, he lias been respited from the flames till Monday 
 but then 1 fear that his death will be inevitable. The 
 Indians, with great reluctance, granted him this reprieve. 
 The fagots are already " 
 
 Mul he said no more, for that moment Maria fell lifeless 
 to the lloor. Washington tiew to her and lifted her in his 
 arms. She breathed not she was deadly pale, and the 
 only simi of animation siie displayed was a slight quivering 
 motion observable in her lips those lips that had lately 
 been of the most iinitinir ruby hue. and that countenance 
 on which e\ery female charm had delighted to dwell, were 
 now destitute of their graces, and ghastly, as if the spirit 
 which had imparted their loveliness, had indeed lied from 
 its possessor, and left her numbered with the dead. VVash- 
 mij ion carried her to a bed to which the agitated Tonna- 
 leuka conducted him. The soul of the hero, as he bent 
 over her, and beheld the baud of dentil thus apparently 
 upon her, lell the most acute pan. .; >l sorrow he was ever 
 doomed to experience, and moistened her livid cheek* with 
 the last tears ilia! \\ere ever seen to fdl from his eves. 
 
 The most judicious menus within reach were applied for 
 her ivcm erv, and in abmi! seven or ci^ ht minutes ihe or-
 
 192 TIIK \viLm;ii.\!:*.s. 
 
 gnus of vitality beorin to resume their function?. She irave 
 a Jeep sigh, and respiration commenced; the iluid of life 
 a or. in circulated through her veins, and the beautiful hue 
 of her countenance be^an to return. 
 
 "Thank m\ Clod!" cried Washington, who first per 
 ceived these indications :;f !vr restoration, thank my Clod, 
 she will vet lu e !" 
 
 "Thank thee. thank ihee. oh. (ireat Spirit of tho uni 
 verse!" si! id Tonnaleuka. who had been extremelv dis 
 tressed during the whole scene, u Oh, thou who restores! 
 lids snff erinir child \-< us. do thou support lier under the 
 tri;ds thou hast brought upon her! If the youth of her 
 choice mus; die this awfn! deaih. d^ ih a; enable !,er 10 bear 
 the shock." 
 
 She was now aisle to ariicuhite, bn* it was in a in- 
 wild and in . Th i > e"!rninL r tide of life brought 
 
 i when she spoke, she 
 spoke only in delirium. 
 
 "Charles .\dderjy! were the first sounds she uttered. 
 "<)h, the savaircs! " she coniiniipd, thev have consumed 
 irf love! T;;ke me! take me! !mrn me with him! Ah! 
 I feel mvself in llauies: inv hear! is already burning! I 
 am cdad of ii ! (^hnrles, in> beio->ed, our sorrows will 
 soon end ! 
 
 Here she relapsed n T, anil appeared to be a^ain 
 
 f 1 !!!!;^ into a state of insensibility. This, however, con 
 tinued hit a few momej .U . when lier i renzy nMurnc d with 
 :is much violence as before. 
 
 Doctor Killbreath now judiciously proposed to extract 
 some blood from her arm, which was soon accomplished, 
 and sborilv afterwards she became tranquil, her horror- 
 struck imagination became less tortured, and reason, piety, 
 and resignation, resumed their seat in her soul. 
 
 Washington now felt relief from the terrors which had 
 during die lime of her suspended faculties, and her subse 
 quent i ren/y. almost overpowered even his manly heart. 
 lie now saw who was the object of her alleciion. He had 
 never before dreamed of it. 
 
 "Captain .\dderly," thought he, "alas! it is so; she 
 loves him. Tier happiness depends upon his welfare.
 
 IHK \V M.DfcKNESS. 193 
 
 Happy Adderly! at least thou hast been happy, for thou 
 hast boc-n loved by suc i a bc-ini?. Oh, Maria, Maria! how 
 I could have cherished thee in mv bosom! But though 
 thou art never to bo mine, unrest thou be happy!" 
 
 He no\v took Doctor Killbreath apari. conversed with 
 him for some minutes, then rehmiinj -n Maria 
 
 ; I must leave von hastih , Miss Fra/ier," said he. "I 
 am </lad to see ihat vou are recovering. Support your 
 trials with fortitude, and may the Cod of heaven yet restore 
 \ on to luippiuess. Fan \vo!l: in} dutr calls me elsewhere." 
 
 " Farewell, o-onerou- . benevolent Washington!" said she, 
 holding out her hand to him. Tie could not refrain from 
 pressinir it, for the first time he had ever taken that liberty, 
 to his burning lips, while she repeated, "Farewell, noble- 
 hearted young man! I never shall, forget thy kindness." 
 
 He took one look at her beautiful countenance. He 
 dared not trust himself with a second; but hastened, with 
 great agitation, from her apartment: rind, followed by Dr. 
 Killhreath, left the cnvem. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Farewell, thou fair day ; thou green earth, and ye skies, 
 
 Now gay with the bright sotting sun ; 
 Farewell loves and friendships, ye ((ear tender ties, 
 
 Our race of existence is run ! 
 Thou ^rim king of terrors ! thou life s gloomy foe, 
 
 Go frighten thp coward amij^ive ; 
 (So teach t.hrni to tremble, fell tyrant but know, 
 
 No terrors hast thou for the brave ! lii RNH. 
 
 THK reader will recollect that in tbe account we gave of 
 the battle of Braddock s Field, we mentioned that Charles 
 Adderly slew a savage when in tbe act of levelling his rifle 
 :U Washington at the distance of only a few feet from that
 
 194 MIT. WU.l>f.KNi-3S. 
 
 officer, by which means the intended (loudly aim failed to 
 accomplish its purpose. This savage happened to be a hero 
 of great repute among the Caughnewago Indians. Several 
 of them perceived his (all, trave u howl of lamentation, and 
 instantly resolved to seize his destroyer, in urd:;r to devote 
 him to the flames, as a sacrifice to the memory of iheir 
 slaughtered hero. They accordingly succeeded in making 
 him prisoner; the attention oi the British being at that time 
 principally occupied in preserving Braddock irom failing in 
 to their hands. 
 
 When the battle was over, the Caughnewago chiefs, after 
 a short consultation among themselves concerning what 
 should be done with Charles and another prisoner, a Virgin 
 ian named Hartley, \vho had also killed a chief, and whom 
 they were also resolve;! to sacrifice, determined to remove 
 them while yet in their power, to a distance from fort Du 
 Quesne, lest the French might claim them in the European 
 manner as prisoners of war, and disappoint them of their 
 revenge. 
 
 Twenty warriors, therefore, set off as soon as a i avorable 
 opportunity offered with these prisoners across the river, 
 and proceeded towards the head waters of Chartier s Creek, 
 where they intended to hold a council, in or< or to condemn 
 their victims to tin; flames in the regular manner. During 
 the march the pri.- oners weie stiipped almost naked, tin ir 
 hands were lied behind them, and they \\ere subject to va 
 rious kinds of barbarous treatment. They were sometime:. 
 whipped forward with rods, and at other times goaded with 
 sharp-pointed sticks, till the blood trickled down their side> 
 and backs ; while their tormentors endeavored, by every spe 
 cies of wild and frantic exultation, to mnrtifv their feelii:o- 
 with an acute sense of their degraded and wretched situa 
 tion. 
 
 They halted for the fWght, upon the margin of a smal 
 .stream about ten miles from the field of battle. Here hav 
 ing tied Charles and his fellow prisoner, back to back, the\ 
 continued to dance round them in triumph, singing songs of 
 victory, and claim, ring forth yells of exultation f;>i upward 
 of an hour. They then feasted upon a deer they had kil. 
 ed, a large slice of which they threw upon the crass to eac 1
 
 i HE \vn.UEKNi:ss. 1!> 
 
 of the captives, but the minds of the latter were too much 
 overpowered with a st lue of thei. horrible situation to per 
 mit them to partake of nourishment. 
 
 Durinsr this nwiul ni^ht, what did Charles Adderiy not 
 sillier both in mind and body? ^ ith a lacerated frame lying 
 nearU n^ked stretched upon the ground in the open air, with 
 his baek ;.losely bound to that of an unfortunate bcinir m 
 llie same melancholy condition, he suffered a degree of pain 
 whicli notwithstanding all the weariness and exhaustion o! 
 his frame, prevented him from enjoying the slightest slumber. 
 
 But the pangs of his body fell infinitely short of those ol 
 his mind- An absolute certainly of the most awful fate that 
 ce.uld befall humanity stared him in the face ; and often, not 
 withstanding all his attempts to exercise fortitude, made him 
 shudder and sweat with the agony of the reflection. And 
 then his Maria his tender, his faithful, his lovely Maria, the 
 delight of his eyes, the joy of hi.-; soul, the inspher of the 
 sweetest throbs of his heart, and the s\\eeiest hopes of his 
 fancy alas ! to her he could not bid a last farewell, of her 
 beauties he could no! take a parting olance, \\hu-h In* soul 
 misrht cherish and brood upon with rapture, as it took its 
 lii dit from his consuming bodv ! 
 
 Alas ! she pure, harmless, lovely, helpless and defence 
 less, might also be in the hands, and subjected to the insults 
 and tortures o[ the merciless savages, who would now be 
 lit loose in all their wantonness of barbarity, to wreak their 
 vengeance upon every individual of British origin that should 
 come wilhin their ]>o,ver! And she he groaned deeply as 
 the idea passed through his mind and she, alas, was imme 
 diately wi .hin their power, the power of fiends, (he mentally 
 exclaimed,) who will neither regard her sex, nor hei youth, 
 nor her innocence, nor her loveliness ! ah, my Maria! What 
 can thy Charles do for tliee? in bonds here himself, and in 
 wretchedness Oh. if I could bear thy misfortunes and my 
 own together, how should 1 rejoice! Oh heaven! wilt thou 
 not protect her whose purity is so like thy own . But why 
 do 1 rave; perhaps, thou dos.t protect her perhaps, even 
 amidst these disastrous times, S!K> is safe oh! to obtain 
 thai assurance, how hohilv would 1 face, how gladly would 
 I endure Hie fiercest torments the sava es can indict upon 
 me "
 
 19(1 I UK \VII.DKK\KSS. 
 
 Early the next morning this unhappy young man was 
 compelled to resume his journey for about ten miles fur 
 ther, when the Indians again halted at a place where rive or 
 six wigwams were inhabited by some squaws and children. 
 It was a small glade of somewhat romantic aspect, surroun- 
 df-. i with sloping hills, and having a pleasant stream trickling 
 along its western border. 
 
 Here a feast was again prepared for the partv, and the 
 prisoners were once more olfered nourishment, of which 
 they refused to partake. When the feast was over, the sa 
 chem Taksuma assembled the warriors in council to condemn 
 the prisoners, who were placed on the ground before them. 
 Charles Adderly s sentence was the first to ho passed, pre 
 vious to which Taksuma spoke as follows : 
 
 " Brothers thank Maneto ! We have inliicted a sweet 
 and glorious revenge upon the oppressors of our fathers. 
 These oppressors are proud ;hey iliink to grasp the whole 
 earth. Thev robbed and murdered our fathers, and took 
 more land from them than thev can use. That land they 
 imjustlv hold to this day; yet they are not satisfied. Thev 
 thought to rob us too, Caughnewagoes ! They thought that 
 we had hearts like the timid deer, and that they had no 
 more to do than to show their faces, and we should ily. 
 
 " Brothers they say that the mere treading upon our 
 ground makes it theirs, and they think that wherever we 
 see the prints of their i eet we should abandon the country. 
 They came against us with many men, strongly armed, and 
 we were few ; but the Great Spirit taught us how to con 
 quer them. I do not think that they will soon again be so 
 foolish as to disturb us, for they have been taught a lesson. 
 
 " Brothers we lost some of our people by their steel. 
 Hillsamasb, who had fought thirty battles, and taken three 
 hundred and fifteen scalps from our enemies, has been slain. 
 That man before you slew him. I saw him with my eyes. 
 They grew dim. The sparkles of horror ilashed before 
 them as the horrid steel ran through the body of my friend. 
 
 " Brothers he is gone to Maneto. But we must avenge 
 his death. Are ye for kindling the flames?" 
 
 The assembly signified their assent by a loud and unani 
 mous acclamation, and six warriors were ordered to prepare
 
 IHK WILDERNESS. 
 
 v ooH for the execution, which was to take place on the third 
 hoi! \ afterwards. 
 
 The other prisoner -was soon also condemned, and both 
 were to be bound to the same stake, and to endure the ilamos 
 r. 
 
 ( harles had now become resiirned to liis i ato. His course 
 ; iron<jh life had, at its commencement, and i or a lonir period 
 afterwards, promised to be prosperous and happy. _Nav, it 
 had been so. lie had enjoyed happiness, the t a\or of the 
 public, the aiiection of his friends, and tin- love of the sweet- 
 <; !, in \lc his fountrv had ever produced. It is true his 
 career had beeii short, and had, especially of late years, been 
 i ccasionally beset with trouble, - and perplexities ; but this 
 ! it er period had also been the time of his (jreatest rapture 
 nd joy. ile had lived lonir in a lew years ; and now. if 
 his hopes and enjoyments were, to bo cut o;i in their very 
 .n. \}\< fears, his griefs, his pains, his sorrows, would 
 also be annihilated. The former mi<rht return to him with 
 tenfold increase of enjoyment, but he had "Teat and conso 
 ling reason to believe that the latter never should. 
 
 \V bile he was fortifying his mind with these considera- 
 ions for the endurance of the last terrible scene, which he 
 every mmute expected to conimence. he perceived a white 
 man hastening down the hill that rose to the northward. 
 The savaors raised an exclamation of jov, as it tliev had 
 n ov.- obinincd n diin! \ ic .nn for the ir vengeance, and Charles 
 shuddered wii- ii he distinguished the approaching 1 stranger, 
 whom h^ believed to be runniuo- voluntarily into the |aws ol 
 late, to be Dr. Killbreath. 
 
 The doctor, however, advanced fearlessly fmward; and 
 holding out th<> wampum of Tonnaleuka, he informed the 
 Indians that he was a messenger from the prophet, and 
 was immediately received with an obeisance and a shout of 
 welcome. 
 
 lie their advanced to the sachem Taksutna, who was 
 poinie ! out to him, and delivered to him the prophet s peti 
 tion, according to his instructions. 
 
 Taksuma immediately called upon the warriors to be at- 
 tenl i\ e. 
 
 " fasten." said he. " brothers, to the desire of Tonnaleuka,
 
 
 the holv prophet of Maneto. The prisoner Adderly is not 
 prepared to die. In sacrificing him. it is only the body, not 
 the spirit, we wish to punish. Maneio will he offended if 
 we deprive him of this man s soul, wliieh is not now lit to 
 go into his presence. 
 
 Brothers, Tonnaleuka, the jireat prophet, who declares 
 the will of Maneto, asks the quarter of a moon of longer 
 life i or tliis man, that this spirit may, in that time, prepare 
 itself for the company of the (ireat Father who made it. 
 Brothers,! think we dare not refuse this to the words of the 
 prophet, for ihc prophet s words are ihe words of the in 1 eat. 
 Maneto." 
 
 The oTcater number assented with a voice of applause; 
 but there was a chief, named liemalsch, ihe brother of the 
 slain Ilillsamash, who appeared discontented with the deci 
 sion. Taks .ima asked him to sav why he dissented from 
 the \otce of ihe prophet. 
 
 " Brothers," said lie, addressing the assembly, "I respect 
 the prophe;. because [ \vorship and adore .Maneio. I v. 
 therefore join my assent to yours to allow the destroyer of 
 my brother seven days iiiii jfer to breathe the air and to s. > 
 the sun. 
 
 " But, brother, hear ine ; 1 grieve much for Ilillsamash, 
 and ionir e:\ceedingh to feast mv ey< a with the sacrijice <>f 
 the man who slew him. Is it not natural ? lie was a bro 
 ther who iv/ieeted honor upon our parentage, i could shed 
 tears i or him, hut 1 am resolved ne\er to shed tears for an\- 
 thing. That prisoner deprived me of him, and my in ; 
 shall not feel at ease till 1 see his destruction. The , irief ot 
 my soul shall disappear and waste away, as the llames waste 
 the lle.sh from the hones of that man, but not till then. 
 
 " Brothers, I shall not oppose the desire of Tonnaleuka : 
 but lest my indignation against the destroyer of Ilillsamash 
 should not permit me to bear to see him live the time re 
 quested by the prophet, 1 shall go westward to hunt, but 
 shall return on the day of sacrifice to delight my soul witli 
 beholding the torments o-f the victim." 
 
 So saying, he looked in Charles s lace, gave a yell of c,\- 
 ecration, and hurried from the assembly, followed by three 
 others, who felt in a manner similar t<> himself.
 
 ion 
 
 [01 K ill! 1 :- 
 
 ( . Ml O- 
 
 : ;ii ;! for : 
 > Til 
 
 for a very tn * took place at nnr 
 
 nerdaY, and which will ds atti m for 
 
 a lew days. if h" ran in tlr.it i ;.-!!ie.-s oefore 
 
 your reprieve; is expired. ! think ron." 
 
 " What, sir. has, tak< : " asked 
 
 or he dreaded thai something h;:d be- 
 n Maria. 
 
 " Why, sir," replied the: doctor, " v l think I mav as well 
 trll you the \vhole inaiter; your heat out eiu u^: to 
 
 hear had neus. I hone, although 1 know it will try \ou :: 
 li;de. In short, captain, the commander at !V.i (^tu. sne sent 
 out a parly of troops, who attacked our house, l>o ,md ihe 
 oM man and Aivhv with ropes, ; l\u!;!v and 1 were from 
 iionn f;id \\-oinaii and N;ii:r-} out of their 
 
 \vits. am! carried oi] .Mari 1 !, -n; " 
 
 .Maria !" exclaimed ( hai h^s, -carried (.11 to Du Que.sne ! 
 Mas ! oh. doctor, 1 could curse, eternally curse the villains ! 
 Kut \vha.t oh. in the name oi heaven, "whai can I do for 
 her. " 
 
 \otliin<r, sir," said the, doctor calmly, although he him- 
 on t!ic sulijeel. "hut then. 1 are hands af work 
 lor ! or rescue more powerful than yours can he. I trust 
 they will . fnl. 1 " 
 
 Oh, heaven gran! that tiiev may!" said Charles; ;;!. 
 ah. these hotids restrain me. Oh (Joel! whv am I thus, 
 when my heart s irea.-ure is in distress f . Oh lieavcn, is 
 I!M re to he no end to my misfortunes . " 
 
 " ! c calm, captain," paid ihe doctor; "had I kno\\n you 
 dd havr : mailer so violeirly, I should not have 
 
 inf irmcd you of it. 
 
 i alk not to me of feelhi ! violciMlv !" cried Charles, 
 "( leal (- in!! \\ha.t m hea\ai! or earth could make mo feel 
 violently if this could not ! Ohdod! olid od! that I could 
 act. violeinlv too 1 ilien thtse hell- hound- of i)u (. uesne 
 - hould . ; .(;o:; ! rn wha! it \; to inolesi innocf-nce and loveli-
 
 ness like hers. Talk not io me of feeling violently. TMOM- 
 who cannot feel as I. do, have never ioveil as I do. Ah, no ! 
 never one loved as 1 do. Oh, Lord of in ore, y ! cried lie, 
 fervently lifting his hands mid eves towards heaven, " savo 
 her, save her, and lot me perish !" 
 
 Here the Indians assembling round him, inquired what 
 was the matter. The dor-tor informed them that he had 
 hoard bad news from one of his friends whom he loved ten 
 derly, and that ho was thus ofivinir way to hi.< grief for the 
 misfortune. 
 
 Hear me, brother, " said Taksuma to the doctor. I 
 thor.iriit not that the white men loved eaeh other so well, 
 Tin> man bears his own fate wiihout complaining; but he 
 rai_>vs. even to madness, when h< hears of a friend being in 
 dist .vs; a ;nl distre-s which cannot ne more fearful than his 
 own. Are there many of your people of this temper . " 
 
 Many umonu us feel much for the distresses of their 
 Ineiids," replied the doctor; -but, there are few, I believe, 
 who carry their feelings to such excess as Captain Adderly 
 does on this occasion. " 
 
 "1 honor him for it," said the sachem. and shall take 
 care that he be not tortured as the friends of Iliilsamali de 
 sire he .-mould, before, his death. He must be sacrficed, for 
 he has slain a warrior, and is sentenced ; but we need not 
 toiture him. Neither the red-hot, iron, nor the burning brand 
 shall ho lifted against him." 
 
 The doctor took care, in proper terms, to give due praise 
 !o this manifestation of the sachem s clemency, and inform 
 ed him i hat he knew the prophet Tonnaleuka would esteem 
 him much on it* account. 
 
 One of the chief s now informed Taksuma, that the hour 
 was (Mmc when the other prisoner should be executed. Or 
 ders were therefore given to have him led forth to the stake. 
 This unfortunate man took a last farewell of Adderly. 
 
 " 1 <ro before you," said he, "to the awful doom. Hut 
 this is, perhaps, a privilege as my sufferings will be the 
 sooner ended. I am not afraid to die ; but the manner is 
 terrible. Would to God that these barbarians would send a 
 bullet through my heart ; they might then consume my dead 
 carcass as they please. But I must submit to the tortuie.;.
 
 : t! L WIl.DURNKSS. 201 
 
 though my soul shudders within mo, yd 1 will biave it 
 
 out. " . 
 
 Farewell, Hartley, said Charles, almost, suffocated with 
 o nef and horror. Your late is, indeed, preferable to mine. 
 Si>\vn thvs less of such mea a! torture us I shall endure is 
 no tnl!in_f consideration. May (Jod t-ike you to himself!" 
 
 The/ then cordially shook hands, ;\nd Hartley moved to- 
 wirds tin 1 stake. He stopped suddenly, however, when he 
 was a lew yards distant, and beckoned Doctor Kiilbreath 
 towards him. 
 
 " \ ou are a stranger io mo. sir." said he victim, "but 
 V o ; are a Christian and a Briion, and your countenance be 
 speaks humanity. I think, theteforo, thai you will not re- 
 hoe to ijraiit an easily performed request to a dying man. " 
 If in mv power, [ will assuredly grant it," replied the 
 doctor, who felt extremely al!!;cted at Hartley s fate. 
 
 \ ou carry a rifle, observed Hartley, looking < \. lhat 
 on which the I )octor leaned. 
 
 " Yes, sir," returned the doctor. 
 It is charged I suppose," said the victim. 
 It is, sir, " was the reply. 
 
 .My hear! would he thankful for its contents ere tlu\-e 
 savages commence torturing me, " observed Hartley. 
 
 The doctor mused for a moment on the propriety of grant 
 ing tlu< request ; at length, looking at the prisoner: entreating 
 countenance, he could withstand the workings of compassion 
 no longer, and he resolved to gratify him lei the consequence 
 lie \\-hat it wouhl. 
 
 You shall have them," said lie. 
 
 "May heaven bless yon," replied Hartley. "Farewell 1 
 ope we shall yet meet in heaven;" and he marched to 
 place of execution with a countenance of ]oy. amidst 
 exulting savages, who not understanding the nature of 
 dialogue with the doctor, were astonished to behold his 
 :!"ii assumption of braverv and [iirm;i ss. 
 iie vi.-iiii) was tied to the >i;ike. the red-!iot irons and the 
 iii: b.-and were prep uvd for torturmir him. and hall a do/ 
 f . . i _;es waving these ti i iiiic implements in ihe air. and 
 e r;o!u;i _! forward io dia\ e them into Ins llesh, when the
 
 , inM; 
 on hi;. 
 
 Brothers, " cautions in 
 
 is the messenger of Tonnaleuka. 
 
 defrauded you of your just vengeance <^-.. Vil ,.-, j,, ,. -,,,,-,,,, 
 ami (hired, profanely, to interfere with the customs ot your 
 fathers. 1 will not excuse him- bi,i he hears the holv 
 
 Tonnaleuka himself will condemn his action. 
 Let us detain him prisoner until \ve inform tl;e prophet of it. 
 Whatever punishment he may award, we shall iinlirt. I he 
 proj)!iet knows host ho\v such an outrage should he piim.-h- 
 ed : or In; will consult Mancto on the suliject, and instruct is 
 hou io act. " 
 
 I lii:- moi!; 1 of proceeding v/as airircd to hv the \v;:r 
 and the d ictor wa.s confined a prisoner, with a sentinel 
 jihiced over him, in one; of the \viir\v:: ins. ( liarles \;!d( r!y 
 \vas also confined in a \vijT\vr.in, hut heiivj the destroyer of 
 ;, and a victim already condemned to the llames, he was 
 more strictly guarded than the doctor, who it wa.- iiot :-up- 
 po.-ed, wo M he so likely to attempt any desperate mode of 
 e.-capi;. (, harles was kept constunily hound hand and loot, 
 with four Indians <niai dino- him, whereas the doctor s wrists 
 alone were tied ton other, ;u;d he was watched but by one 
 sentinel. 
 
 Taksnma did not fail to de?j>a!cl! a messenger in r-earch ol 
 Tonniihiika. to inform him of what had happened to the 
 The ali airs of .Viarh at this time kept the prophet 
 so busily moving from jilace to place, that lie was not easily 
 dared. At Icn-r h. liowever. ihe mesi-enoer hearing ih:ii he 
 was likely to he found at Fort Da Quesne. directed his 
 course there, and, arrived at Grant s Hill at the time the 
 French soldiers were holding their revels on that place. 
 The messenger had no disinclination to partake ol the jjfood 
 cheer that was politely offered him : and nf er having eaten 
 abundance, he applied himself with "Teat vig-or to the con-
 
 mi: WILDKKM SS 
 
 i.mption of the liquors that were handed to him profusely 
 nine of the merry Frenchmen, who wished 10 amuse 
 ihein>eivcs \\ith his fooleries during the time of intoxication. 
 Me therefore, in a short time, forgot his errand, Doctor 
 Killbreath, Taksnma, and every thinir but the enjoyment of 
 his frolic, and consequently did not see Tonnaleuka for that 
 d. v, and Doctor Killbreath himself, the reader already knows 
 saw him in the cavern the next morning. How this hap 
 pened was simply . s : 
 
 The Indians becoming rather scarce of provr-ious, had 
 all .rone off in small parlies to hunt, except th" four who 
 lelt to iniard Charles and the one who kept watch 
 over the Doctor. On account of beiiuv able to speak Indian, 
 the Do, -tor had somewhat ingratiated himself with a squaw 
 wiio lived in the wigwam wiili him. On the evening of the 
 fourth day of his confinement, the Indian that watched him 
 becoming drowsy, roqu 1 stt 1 this s ;uav/ to keep jjftiard over 
 the Doctor, while he should enjoy a little sleep. She assented. 
 T le Doctor soon prevailed on this Indian female, who, as all 
 females should be. was tender-hearted, and more than partic 
 ularly so towards the Doctor, to elope \vith him, promising 
 he, a ivat many line things, and among others, to make her 
 his v/jfe as soon as they should reach a place of safely, as 
 suring her at the same time, thai his master Tonnaleuka 
 \vould not fail to bless her, and procure her die forgiveness 
 of her friends. The simple lady believed him, i ot she loved 
 him. 
 
 The Doctor s band> were accordingly loosened, and i.ll 
 they set. the Doctor (a re to carry the seniimTs 
 
 with him, without bidding any one <vood bye, and we. 1 re no! 
 missed lor nearly two hours afterwards. 
 
 As the Doctor was very impatient to reach homo, ho soon 
 outran the squaw; and forgetting all his former protestations 
 ol love, and regardless o| her cries, her tears, and her up 
 braidings, he cruelly leli her all wearied and forlorn, amidst 
 the clouds of the ni jhl, in the heart of a wild desert, either 
 to follow him at her leisure, or retrace her way to her own 
 wigwam, as she thought proper.
 
 "<> < 1 HF, VV IJ.nr.HN KSS 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII, 
 
 Thou power Supreme, whose rnightv scheme. 
 
 These \voes of mine fulfil. 
 Here, firm 1 rest, tli. v must he best, 
 
 ! .ec;i!^e thev are ihy will. 
 Then all 1 want (Oh, iju ihou grunt 
 
 This one request of mine . ) 
 Since to enjoy thou dust denv. 
 
 Assist me to resign. BTPNS. 
 
 THE seventh and last day of Charles Adderlv s reprieve 
 from his impending doom at length arrived; and anv i aint 
 hopes that he might have harbored of a final deliverance, 
 were now scattered to the wind. KeniaJseh, the brother 
 of the slain Hillsamash, and the otlier Indians who had 
 pone oil on bunliii.u excursions, now returned to enjoy the 
 ceremony of his execution. 
 
 Charles s feelings were sunk, in consequence of the in- 
 rensiiy of th(>ir ])revions excitement, nearly to a state of 
 torpor, and lie looked upon the awful preparations that 
 were making for his destruction almost with indifference. 
 
 Verv much to the dissatisfaction of KemalseJi. Taksuma 
 prevented the savages from making any arranp omems for 
 torturing him. An altercation arose between these chiefs 
 on the subject, but the latter having- the amhoritv, insisted 
 en keeping his word to Doctor Killbreath, and the warriors 
 obeyed his directions. Charles had been informed by the 
 Doctor of Taksurna s promise, but he entertained such an 
 opinion of the ireneral wickedness and barbarity of the In 
 dians, that lie placed very little confidence upon it. When 
 IIP, therefore, perceived Kemalseh, whom he knew to In- 
 his inveterate enemy, disputing with Taksuma, he had no 
 doubt, from their manner and gestures, although he under- 
 ^tooi! n"thin of their bui;; u:ior. that heir Contest was on
 
 i m: \v II.UFKN F..-S. 
 
 this subject: and as Rcmalseh appeared tin* more violent <>t 
 the two, he was confident that lie should carry his point, 
 and that consequently the usual tortures would be inflicted. 
 
 This idea aroused him at length from his torpor. Had 
 they resohed to overwhelm him at once with the llames. 
 his sulicnn^s would soon he oxer, am) he could look upon 
 his 1 ate with a stoical indifference ; hut the slow, lingering, 
 and excruciating 1 torments, the endurance of which he now 
 anticipated, were more than human nature could hear to 
 relied upon unappallcd. Notwithstanding all his resolu 
 tion, he therefore became considerably agitated, when, as 
 soon as the hour of nocn arrived, they led him naked to 
 the stake with tfreat clamor, triumphant yelling, and frantic 
 exultation. 
 
 Reinalseh himself tied him to the fatal spot, and with 
 ferocious harharity drew the hands so ti^ht as almost to --in 
 the (lesh down to the hone. Taksuma waited until this in 
 veterate savage should retire from the victim, in order to 
 <n\e the signal lor throwing upon him the already blazing 
 mass of wood that was kindled hv his side. Reinalseh 
 gave a shoui of joy that all was secure, ami had just retired 
 a Jew pares from Charles, when a troop of cavalry burst, 
 like a (dap of thunder, down the eastern hill; a. loud hu//;< 
 raiiLT through the air, while at the same insiant, a volley 
 Irom a number of carbines leveled uemalsch, Taksuma, 
 and five other Indians to the earth. The rest of ihe sava 
 ges had scarcely waited to see this slaughter of their chiefs, 
 but hail lied in dreadful panic, in \arions directions, into 
 the adjoining woods. lu a moment the sword of \Yash 
 Hilton had cut the bands of Adderh, and the hapless vic 
 tim was rescued from the file oi savage \ < ni .eance, ere a 
 ^Millie particle of it had touched his body. 
 
 -\h, is it thoii, matchless Washington," cried Adderly, 
 embracing the hero as soon as his arms were loosened, 
 thai hast restored me lo hie. " 
 
 It i<. mv friend. replied \\ ashin^ion ; "and 1 shall do 
 mole. I fhall restore \<>u to happiness.." 
 
 Mi. knowesi thou. wonderful man," exclaimed ( hade.- 
 "knowi<i thou \\-|iat can make me happy " 
 
 "I do know," SUM! his deliverer "ll an\ ihiutj on cart 1 :
 
 -iUf HIE \VILDI:RXI:SS. 
 
 can make ;h<>e happy, it is the heart and the hand ol iii; 
 lovli si, purest, and most endearing woman in creation 
 Maria Fra/ier 1" 
 
 Aii^Ci of mercy!" cried Charles, with a wild mixture 
 of hope, jov, and surprise " \V here where is she. Js 
 she s!iil in safety?" 
 
 "Thank Mod," said Washington, with a half-suppressed 
 siifh, "she is safe from all present danger. "You are now 
 sale also; and may you both lonu eontmi e so. 
 
 And it is to yon, Colonel, that they both owe. it." said 
 Killbreath, coming forward to Adderly, and shaking 
 him wannlv by the hand "[ wish yon from mv soul, 
 Captain, I wish yon jov, of both your life and your love. 
 \ on mav thank (. ol. Washington for both. He plunged 
 ;irt of 1 ort J)u l^ii -sne, and rescued, sina lv ani! 
 alone, mv wretched sistcr-in-la w out of die midst of ihe 
 Movernor s house, as sale and uninirt as when she entered 
 it. But with your leave, gentlemen, what if \ve search 
 these deserted wigwams, (for I perceived th" squaws run 
 ning ol) , as we aj>proached, as fa.1 as their yoke-fellows,) 
 for something to eat; for after our ionu~ rapitl i-nle. i confess 
 i should think a slice of venison an exc* Hi 11; d i 
 
 "1 propose, .first," observed Washington, that wo find 
 some clothing for Captain Adderly: and then we shall think 
 of what is best to be done for refreshing our frames." 
 
 My portmanteau," said the Doctor, " will furnish him 
 
 ;i >nit of as crood captain s uniform as there is in the army. 
 
 i knew the Captain would be miked; and while you were 
 
 Mini! the men a I. the Mrcai Meadows, 1 provided th 1 
 
 .i; ." 
 
 So .say in;;, the Doctor led forward his horse, unstrapped 
 his portmanteau, and produced a captain s umlunn, of ibe 
 provincial service, complete in all i .s parts, which, ahhoi::j:i 
 it did not i:i every particular exactly lit Charles, answered 
 his present purposes, and he in a moment resumed, a ehri-t- 
 ian-like, or rather a soldier-like, appearance : and an unoc 
 cupied hor-e having been brought by Washington s care pur 
 posely for him, he was now able to take his place anion" 
 his companions in arms. 
 
 Hn e\ jtlorui:. the W^wauis, iliere was neither man, wo-
 
 THE WIUH:KM;SS. 207 
 
 niti 11 nor child lo be found. All had fled in rapid consterna 
 tion, the moment the cavalry appeared, the squaws carrying 
 away tht- younger children, and the older one;- running alter 
 them. So complete indeed had been the panic, that oven 
 the warriors, who had assembled to witness the intended sa 
 crifice, had not carried away their rifles; and Dr. Killbreath, 
 whose rifle had of course been taken from him when he was 
 captured, for making such an often. "ivy use of r>, although 
 he hud replaced it wi h that of the sentinel, frnrn whom he 
 ha;! run off, did not now scruple to reclaim hi-; own, which 
 he found in one of the wigwams, and, to which, as it had 
 been an old acquaintance, lie gave a hearty welcome. 
 
 As the troops had brought some provisions with them, 
 they were enabled, with the aid of what they found in the 
 wigwams to make -a very comfortable meal, which they no 
 sooner dispatched, than they b; iU their way towards Turtle 
 Creek, Washington being anxious to conduct Captain Adder- 
 Iv in safety to his .Maria. 
 
 The squadron of horse consisted of about fifty in num 
 ber, Virginia rangers, all well acquainted with scouring the 
 woods. They did not. therefore, fear for any force that un 
 der the present circumstances of the country could be hasti 
 ly brought against them from fort Du Quesne, or elsewhere 
 in the neighborhood. The present garrison of Du Quesne 
 consisted chiefly of infantry, there not being more than 
 one company of horse in it, so that if a French force too 
 numerous to be attacked with advantage, should appear, 
 ihey could at least keep out of its reach by their superior fleet- 
 ness and knowledge of the woods. 
 
 As their horses had been driven at a very rapid rate all the 
 way from the Great Meadows to the place of destination, to 
 which Dr. Killbreath had been their guide, they now moved 
 at rather a moderate pace, and it was late before they arrived 
 at Fra/icr s. 
 
 Here they met with <i hearty and jovfid welcome; provi 
 sions lor the men, and provender for the horses, were both 
 furnished with prompt and zealous liberality. Gilbert and 
 Nelly showered blessings, often and often, upon Washing 
 ton s head, for what he had so nobly and gallantly done lor 
 their darling daughter. They had both gone to Tonnaleuka s 
 28
 
 OH THK WILL KRNtS.S. 
 
 cavern in order to visit her, it being dangerous for her at 
 the present crisis to enter their house which had, indeed, 
 since her escape from the fort, heen several times searched, 
 and ransacked by parties of soldiers sent out in pursuit of 
 her. Gilbert had been even told that De Villiers had threat 
 ened to come himself, and raze it to the ground, if the old 
 man did not inform him where Maria was to be found. As 
 Gilbert, however, conceived that this was only a threat 
 which the governor had no intention to put into execution, 
 he did rot, on this occasion, think proper to inform Wash 
 ington of it. The troops were, therefore, after they had re 
 ceived refreshments conveyed to the same dingle, where 
 Paddy Frazier had concealed the horses on the night of 
 Maria s rescue from I)u Quesne. Washington preferred that 
 they should encamp there for the night rather than at Fra- 
 zier s as being a spot where there was less danger of being 
 discovered by the enemy, while it was equally favorable for 
 his setting off for the Great Meadows, to which place he in 
 tended to proceed the next day. 
 
 This matter being adjusted, he retired with Charles Adder- 
 ly to pass the night at Frazier s, it being too late an hour to 
 visit the cavern of Tonnaleuka. The impatience of Charles 
 to behold the charmer of his soul, the espoused of his heart, 
 after her late disasters, was. indeed, so extreme that he could 
 scarcely brook the delay which this arrangement occasion 
 ed ; and it was with difficulty that he permitted his desire 
 to hasten immediately to her abode, to be overruled by the 
 persuasions of the more prudent and considerate Washing 
 ton. 
 
 "She shall not be disturbed from her repose, " said Charles 
 in arguing the point. "All I want is to enjoy the happiness 
 of feeling myself in the same habitation with her till thp 
 morning. " 
 
 "You will, at least, if you persist in gratifying this piece 
 of useless impatience," said Washington, "disturb Tonna- 
 leuka s repose, a matter which I am sure would give you no 
 pleasure ; and, then consider, that as the prophet may not 
 have accomodations for you in his subterranean abode, you 
 might be obliged to sit moping and dozing by the fireside, 
 either breaking your heart or dreaming nonsense, till a rea-
 
 IMF, WIJ,!)KKNKS>. 209 
 
 sorahle time in the morning should afford you the wishecl- 
 foi happiii"ss. No, yon have, just no\v, my Iriend, too much 
 nei d lor the refreshment of a few hours comfortable res! 
 yourself after what you have undergone, for me to permit 
 you to take this whimsical step." 
 
 Well! do as you please with me," replied Charles. 
 " You are not so hot-brained as I am! and, as you do not. 
 fe< ! so acutely in this matter, you can judge more cooly, 
 am;, no doubt, more correctly." 
 
 Alas !" thought Washington, and he heaved a sii>h, "he 
 knows not how acutely, how severely I feel in this matter." 
 Charles wa.<, indeed, as his illustrious friend had observ 
 ed, much in need of rest. Ever since he had fallen into 
 the hands of the savages, he could scarely be said to have 
 en oyed any ; and in spite of all his ardor and impatience 
 to he with Maria, as soon as he had thrown himself upon a 
 comfortable couch in one of Gilbert Frazier s apartments, he 
 fell into a deep and invigorating slumber, which continued 
 until the beams of heaven shone full upon his pillow in the 
 morning, lie then arose vigorous, cheerful, and rejoicing, 
 confident now of proceeding instantaneously to the presence 
 of his beloved. But he was doomed to bear another half 
 hour s provoking delay ; for Mrs. Frazier would by no 
 in- ans permit such esteemed guests to leave her hou.>e 
 w ihout breakfast, and Washington agreed that she should 
 he indulged. Charles had, in consequence, to submit with 
 as good a grace as he could assume, and by making a con 
 siderable effort, he was able to smile off the vexation and 
 chagrin, which these little cross-purposes to his wishes or 
 cn-ioned him to feel. 
 
 \t length all obstacles were removed, and Washington 
 se 1 out with him to the cavern. 
 
 Maria had suffered much from her anxiety concerning the 
 fa lpi of Charles; but the attentions of Tonnaleuka, who had 
 in iuslriously infused into her mind the consolations of hope 
 an 1 of piety, greatly soothed and meliorated her feelings. 
 Tonnaleuka, however, had riot himself any certainty as to 
 Charles s safely ; nay, he had begun to entertain great fear 
 for the worst, and therefore could not administer to the aUlic 
 tP-1 Maria that <olid spnrjrs of comfort n-hi -h nil unequivo
 
 210 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 cal assurance of his belief in her lover s safety would h ^vp 
 enabled him U> do. 
 
 They were silting together after breakfast, conversing 
 about the misfortunes of Charles, when they heard the .si;i...d 
 of persons entering the cavern. 
 
 "My child, I have a presentiment that there is good ue . s 
 approaching us," said Tonnaleuka. 
 
 "Heaven grant it! " she replied. "hUu ala?, I am HO K;- 
 customed to hear of nothing but disasters, that Oh, G,tr if , 
 goodness, is it so ! " and the next moment her head was in 
 Charles s bosoiri. 
 
 My dearest Maria! My dearest love! he exe laiim d ; 
 "have we met have we, at leiigih, met! oh never, never 
 again, while we live, shall we part ! " 
 
 For some minutes she was unable to speak; at length -he 
 burst into tears, and found utterance. 
 
 Oil Charles!" said she; "it is you, indeed, who:n I 
 again behold. Thanks to a merciful God, you are yet iv- 
 ing ! By what miracle has he preserved you from your ; \v- 
 ful doom 1 Oh, are you not yet in danger " 
 
 No, my dearest love," ho replied; I am in no danger; 
 but that thoti art safe that 1 find thee here that I thus ci .sp 
 my treasure to my hear! thanks! glory to the God who has 
 thought of us in mercy ! who has rescued us out of dUliess 
 unspeakable; who has brought us together in a manner in 
 deed miraculous; by means of an exertion of such a c .m- 
 bmation of wisdom, courage, benevolence, promptitude ml 
 energy of action, which no earthly being but one possesses!" 
 
 "Ah!" cried she suddenly ; "I see it; I might have kn-wn 
 it, ii is he, it is he ! Nothing that man can do is difiKult 
 for him. My deliverer is thine. Oh, Washington, "Wash 
 ington !" 
 
 Here she advanced towards the hero, who met her calmly 
 in his manner, but inwardly trembling, and almost fe. rful 
 for the steadiness of his own heart. Ah! when she, v. ho 
 reigned over his whole affections now fondly approa; :ied 
 him in all her charms of youth, beauty, tenderness, am vir 
 tue, could he feel easy, collected and cool ! No; \V a* ng- 
 ton s feelings were noi of a temperament capable of uch 
 stoicism. But he had a soul superior to his feelings, and 
 capable of controling every impulse that stood in the w y of 
 his duty. He had now formed within his mind a purposa
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 211 
 
 w i-h lie conceived his duly called upon him immediately 
 
 tn accomplish. It was indeed a task, a difficult task. Tlie 
 
 of nature was stmnu, \v;is almost irresistible ;;gainst it. 
 
 I! , lie \viMild not shrink from ii. although hi.- heart should 
 
 in it? performance. 
 
 Thanks, thanks, thou incomparable ir.an!" cried Maria, 
 to the restorer of her Charles a;;d herself to happiness and 
 i : -h < her. AVI int. can } sav to express the weight of our 
 i. l :i<_;a!ions to thee ?" 
 
 Mi-s Frazior," lie replied, takinjr hold of the hand which 
 si i> held out to him; spare your thanks. The witnessing 
 o: your joy on the present occasion is an ample recompense 
 for my exertions. Hut let me say thnt it will recompense 
 n still more amply to witness the confirmation of your per- 
 n: ment felicity. Captain Adderlv," said he, "jjive me your 
 h nd. Here he for ;i moment appeared much, affected, and 
 a sudden paleness came upon his countenance. It contin- 
 
 (i, however, ln.it an instant; the cloud passed swiftlv away 
 ad ail the fit-nines --, nobleness, and dignity of America s 
 hero, shone full and hri"!;;. from his countenance. 
 
 Tii" siru ii 1 ! 1 is now over," thought he: -and I am 
 
 vhat I should he." " My fri -nd. " said lie to Charles; 
 
 ; ladv i y your side I have loved, as 1 shall never love 
 
 smother. Hut yon possessed her heart hcfore she possessed 
 
 I .ine. You are become necessary to her happiness her 
 
 1 ippiness, in competition \\ith wlui-h I value my own as 
 liOihinir; and 1 know will that she is nece->ary to yours. 
 Take her, my friend ; make h r vo"r own; and oh mav } on 
 ! o IOIMJ liapp.v together ! " 
 
 "My hest of friends! cried ( liarles, almost, weeping 
 .vith the force of his admiration for his deliverer s matjna- 
 limitv. "You you alonf could he capahle of this. I shall 
 .ol :.!t in[>t to (-xj)ress niy gratitude. It would he in vain. 
 :int a heart like yours can easiiv ima.qir.e i! \h. then von 
 over! mv Marii. 1 once fora IIH ment suspected it. Hnt 
 . was secure in her fidelity, and cast ihe suspicion from my 
 .-oul as ni|urious toward-; her. Iliijlily, hii^hlv can I esti- 
 nat 1 LJK s.icriflcc! wliich on her account and mine, you now 
 .nakc of those !:eavenly hopes whu li must have ;n i-ompan- 
 .ed a love for her; and highly should I appreciate myself
 
 -il -i I Hi; \VILDERNES8. 
 
 if I could imiiate thee in the magnanimous self-denial 01 
 sacrificing such hopes at the shrine of friendship and dntv. 
 Hut, alas. I foci that I am not capable of such virtue. Oh 
 Maria, your Charles acknowledges his inferiority to that 
 man !" 
 
 " A. nd well may you without ablush acknowledge it, " 
 replied Maria, proud of her lover s admiration of the hero, 
 and rejoiced that he did not hesitate to confess him his supe 
 rior in virtue and energetic greatness of mind. " For ah," 
 she continued, " who can compare with him in virtue? ok 
 what do we not owe him ! " 
 
 " My children !" said Tonnaleuka, who had hitherto re 
 mained in silent astonishment; " this scene, indeed, affect.-. 
 me. I knew Colonel Washington capable of much, but ] 
 scarcely thought him capable of this ; for I knew the fervoi 
 of his love for that maiden, and I know with what adaman 
 tine bonds, (said he with unusual energy) love like his, bind:- 
 the human heart. 
 
 " My children, I cannot speak my joy at this happy meet 
 ing Oh may the Great Father who raised up this heroic 
 deliverer for you, make yon long the objects of his care iu 
 this lilt;, and in that of immortality, the inheritors of his eter 
 nul love ! " 
 
 Washington now again addressed Maria. "Miss Frazier, 
 said he, " there is yet one thing remaining to set my miu-. 
 at ease respecting you, that is, your removal from this des 
 ert, where yon are now beset with perils, imminent innum 
 ciable, and terrifying. 1 entreat you to leave it with the 
 man of your choice. Give him a legal right, to protect you 
 in the midst of society. I shall then be assured of your safe 
 tv, and become, if not happy, at least resigned, and perhaps, 
 content with my lot. " 
 
 "Sir," she replied, "Captain Adderly is aware of m\ 
 only objection to the wishes he has often expressed on thi: 
 subject. This objection still remains. If it were remove,! 
 but of that I see, at present, no probability 1 will not ai 
 feet to say, that I should advance any other." 
 
 " Oh Maria, my dearest love !" said Charles, " do over 
 look that objection under present circumstances. It i.-. one 
 which, under any circumstances, ought not to intervene be
 
 THK WILDERNESS. 213 
 
 i ween a union ol hearts like ours. It is of too trifling a na 
 ture, surely to be put in the balance against your safety and 
 my happiness. Believe me, my love, my father is not of 
 such a mercenary mind as you imagine. He will place no 
 importance upon gold, in comparison to the permanent happi 
 ness of his son. He has both too much liberality as a man, 
 and too much tenderness ;is a father, for that. " 
 
 "But his consent, at all events, should be first procured," 
 returned Maria. "You art: his only son ; he he has no doubt 
 been an indulgent father; and it would be giving him real 
 ground for offence, if you should take such an important, 
 irretrievable step without, his approbation, nay, without his 
 knowledge." 
 
 " Miss Frazier," observed Washington, "these sentiments 
 become you ; they are just such as I should expect from 
 your acute delicacy of feeling, and strong sense of propriety. 
 But I am glad that there are no oilier obstacles in the way. 
 These shall vanish. I shall contribute to remove them. You 
 know me too well not to suppose that I shall be the obliged 
 party if you accept the offer I am about to make. It has 
 pleased providence to bestow upon me a fortune amounting 
 to even more than affluence. A portion of this I can easily, 
 and shall gladly, devote to the promotion of a purpose so 
 dear to my heart as your safety and welfare ; and must beg 
 leave to make over to you deeds of such a property as shall 
 reconcile your future father-in-law to your alliance with his 
 family. I trust " 
 
 " Ah ! " said Tonnaleuka, hastily interrupting him. "Hear 
 me When* will your generosity, your kindness for this 
 young woman have an end . 
 
 Hear me, permit me to speak You have plunged into the 
 midst of her enemies, and snatched her from ruin. You have 
 relinquished in favor of a riv.il the most fondly cherished 
 wishes of your soul, to promote her happiness, and now you 
 would bestow fortune upon her. 
 
 "But, hear me, glorious young man ! and believe me, she 
 li-quires not this last instance of your generosity. She is rich 
 as rich, even in worldly goods, as the father of any man 
 whom she may make her husband should wish her to be. 
 She i.s my heiress. She is my daughter ! my only, ouh
 
 2 1 4 THE W ILDKRNESrt . 
 
 child Oh, Maria, Maria ! 1 sin no Indian 1 ;;in a sen of 
 Europe. Oh, embrace me, I am thv father!" 
 
 "My father!" she exclaimed, as. she threw her arms 
 round him, and leaned her head on his bosom. " My faiher, 
 and have I rea!l\ such a father am I not inc. ,~d 
 But I Inner f;-h it, ;i!;liough I knew ii not. [ never Hf for 
 lorn in iln presence. Oh, (Jraci.ius God! 
 This indeed, this ormvns the mi<>htv ble \\ hast this 
 
 day conferred upon me. Oh, my father, my fuller! I feel 
 thou art indeed my faiher. Why did I not know my happi 
 ness sooner 7 " 
 
 "Daughter of my love !" replied Tonnalenka, a^ain clasp- 
 iiv.; her to hi- heart, "in your infancy I saw you hv.ppy and 
 safe, and I was content. In the latter years, y< u \\ ere also, 
 until within these few d ivs -is serene i:nd comfortable MS 
 j)t rh"ps the slate of womanliood will permit. 1 wou d not 
 therefore, di.- urb this serenity of vour bosom for no pur 
 pose, and 1 saw nor.;: that could be answered by doi 1 
 I had acquired an influence over the inhabitant-; of these 
 wilds by my assumption of their manner.-:, and of the char 
 acter of a prophet among them, which had been often useful 
 among themselves, and which I believed mitrht on ? imc 
 emero-ency be useful to you and to your friends. I v.i.-hed, 
 therefore, to maintain this character undiscovered and im 
 penetrable to all the world, so long :;s it r- ^i; bo attended 
 with such bene i s. ! perceive that you. and hey. and I, 
 must now, all of us, leave the Wilderness, from whence that 
 repose and safety which once blest it, is fled. We must 
 mix in the innks of society, my daughter. The scene will 
 be new to you, and it may for a while be irksome. But it 
 will afford yon safety, and an opportunity of performing du 
 ties, and consequently of being useful to both yours til and 
 others, which cannot here be found. 
 
 But my friends, said he to Washington and Adderly, 
 "I perceive that you are surprised at this discovery, and, 
 no doubt, feel a curiosiiv, since you find I am not an Indian, 
 to know what I really am. I shall at present give you buf 
 a brief sketch of my history. At a more convenient season. 
 I may, perhaps, enter more minutely into its details.
 
 Mil WTJ.MKKNKSS. 4 1 5 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 ,,t hush d, my ilar!; spirii! for \\i:-;doin e.ond 
 
 \Vhen ihe faint ami the fee ulo dep!re : 
 ! si roil <_ r as the rock of ihe ocean that stems: 
 
 A thousand v. dd waves on tin- shore ! 
 I liM u.ii th>: penis of eh;, nee, and tlic scowi ol disdain, 
 
 \Iav tiiv iVonl !> mialtcr tl, thy courage elate! 
 Voa, e\en i!ic iianio 1 have worshipped in vaiii 
 Shall awake !>ot ;hc sigii ol remembrance a-jain ; 
 
 To ..ear is to coiHjiier our laic. 
 
 CAM PBEI.L. 
 
 I AM," ;--;ii(l J oniialcuka, "!)v hirili ;i Scolcliinau, :uui 
 :i ! !ie-h!:Mi(lcr. My European iininc is Mackintosh, a naiii- 1 
 liicli ni\ /ciil for an uni ortimato cause has IMVPH a j)lacc 
 in llic hisJoi v of Hrit:;in. At llic death of (iucc.n Anne, it 
 s \vcll kno\\n that the friends of tlie liouse of Stuart, 
 ainoiiir llio most /onions of whom ! ranked mvse!f, for I 
 svas then yo;:iu;\ enthnsi;islic, and rash. iTso!\cd to attempt. 
 ihe re-estahiislinient of its exiled ropiTScntativc upon the 
 throne ol h^: ancestors. 
 
 The Marl of Alar was the first to raise ihe standard of 
 insurrection in the Highlands, and I was ihe. first to join 
 him with ihe whole strength of mv clan, consistino- of 
 nearly a thousand of as brave, men as ever wore larlan. 
 \Vo soon hi-ard that Air. Forster, the I larl ol Derwent- 
 water, and some others, had raised forces in FnMand to 
 support the same cause, and wen- on their way to |om us 
 in the Lowlands ol Scotland. I was detached at the head 
 of twenty-live hundred men to meet ilu in in ihe Lothian^. 
 The Frith of Forih had to be crossed cc of a trojio- 
 
 na\ al lorce, au are of o:;r design. J5\ various manu tures, 
 however, we drew ofl the attention of the ships from the 
 place ill our embarkation, and, (hiring the nisi lit, arrived 
 -al e on the soniheni shore. I iuini diate! , imestrd l.eillu
 
 216 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 which surrendered; but the Duke of Argyle hastily throw 
 ing himself into Edinburgh with ;i large body of troops, I 
 was deprived of the capital, t proceeded, therefore, with 
 out delay, to join our English confederates, who waited for 
 us at Kelso. some distance southward. 
 
 13cin<r now nearly six thousand strong we resolved to 
 push boldly into England, in order to encourage our adhe 
 rents then 1 , and strike some sudden blow against the Hano 
 verian government. 
 
 Fortune smiled kindly enough upon us until we reached 
 Preston, where she ceased for ever to encourage our cause. 
 General Willis there besieged us with a formidable army. 
 We were compelled to surrender, and I, together with all 
 our leaders, was carried 10 London, and imprisoned in 
 Newgate. About the same time, the Karl of Mar was de 
 feated in the Highlands, nod the friends of the Stuarts gave 
 up the contest. 
 
 Thev paid dear for it, however. Almost every week 
 brought, into my prison intelligence of the execution of 
 some of mv confederates, few of whom, after condemna 
 tion, received mercv. 1 who had been much more acme 
 than many who bad suffered, had therefore no reason to 
 expect any. For several months there was no word of my 
 trial. At length I was desired U> preuare for it. as it should 
 take place in a few days. Several of mv fellow-prisoners, 
 also under the chari;; 1 of i;i;r i treason, were to be tried at 
 the same time. The evening previous to the siuing of the 
 court. I engaged five of these to assist me in an attempt 10 
 escape. We soon mastered the jailor and his assistants, 
 and in a moment dispersed ourselves in different directions 
 amidst the crowds of London. Less than a week after 
 wards found me at the court of St. Germain?, the titular 
 sovereign of which received me with great respect and 
 cordiality. 
 
 "My Scottish property was now lost to me by an act of 
 attainder, and I was declared an outlaw. 1 was soon in 
 beggary, but the interest of the Stuarts was sufficient to 
 procure me a captain s commission in the French army, 
 In a few years I was sent as lieutenant-colonel of a regi 
 ment to Canada. My superior, disliking the climate, soon
 
 THE WILDKKNKSS. -i I < 
 
 returned to Europe, and I \v;is made colonel. In this ca 
 pacity I was stationed for a number of years at a fort near 
 he falls of Niagara. Here I had an opportunity of be 
 coming thoroughly acquainted with the manners and cus 
 toms of the Indians, as well as many of their languages; 
 ami also of greatlv improving my fortune, by purchasing 
 their furs, and iransmiiiino- them for sale to Quebec, where 
 1 had formed connexions with mercantile houses lor that 
 purpose. 
 
 I had never vet thought of enterino- upon the marriage 
 state; for, although I had not been indifferent to the sweets 
 of female society, yet, perhaps the sense of rny misfortunes 
 and unsettled condition of life, had prevented any woman 
 from making any serious impression upon my heart. But 
 I was now doomed to behold one to whose graces, accom 
 plishments, and virtues, I felt delighted to pay homage. It 
 was durintr a visit 1 paid to Quebec on pecuniary concerns, 
 that I first beheld her. She was the daughter of Monsieur 
 d Anville, commander of the Quebec garrison, and only a 
 few years from France. I became entireh captivated with 
 her charms, and although I was then thirty-seven years ot 
 ai/e. and she but twenty-two, and although yhe had refused 
 tiie hands of numerous .suitors, 1 had the happiness to gain 
 an interest in her heart. Her father at first made some 
 difficulty about consenting to our union, lie was rich and 
 noble; but I was so too, and he at length yielded. 
 
 \Ve were somewhat more; than a year married, when 
 by Monsieur d Anville s interest 1 was appointed to com 
 mand the <rarrison at. New Orleans. In proceeding there, 
 I was instructed to descend the Ohio river, to take notes of 
 rhe most eligible situations for a chain of forts which the 
 French irovernment then contemplated ereetinir, so as to 
 secure the possession of the whole countrv from the St. 
 Lawrence to the (iulf of Mexico. 
 
 "I set out wjlh my wife, who was attended by one fe 
 male servant, in the autumn of 1731. We were accompa 
 nied bv six officers, who bail also received appointments at 
 \e\v Orleans. \\ e advanced on our journey, receiving 
 assurances of friendship from the different tribes on our 
 loutr, and without meeting with anv mvideiii until we
 
 21H i m-: \\ ii,m:K.\j;ss. 
 
 reached the mouth of French Creek, \vjien uufortunalelv 
 our servant girl (lied, and my wife was left without any 
 female attendant \\ e i elt t!;is accident tho more acutely, 
 as Maria, which was my wife s name, was then far ad 
 vanced in pregnancy, and ih; re was no possibility of re 
 placing our deceased servant with another from Canada 
 previous to the time her confinement was expected. In 
 this dilemma we heard of an Indian Queen residing on tin 
 hank of the Monongahela, not far from our intended route, 
 whose society, it was thought, would he the most suitable 
 the countrv could alford !o mv wife under present eircum- 
 stances. "We accordingly hastened there, and Alliqiiippa 
 received us with threat fri; ndship and kindness. 
 
 ".Maria, however, still felt so uncomfortable at the pros 
 pect before her, with on!v savage women to attend her. 
 that it was with great joy we were informed of some white 
 women being in the vicinity, who had been carried of] by 
 a party of Indians from the English settlements in Penn 
 sylvania. I hastened to the Catanyan village, where these 
 captives were to he found, and had the good fortune to 
 prevent our friend (iilbert Frazicr and his family from lie- 
 ing sent to Canada.. 
 
 "(Gilbert, assisted by the Indians, -eon erected a commo 
 dious habitation, to which Maria was convex e .l. During 
 her sickness, Mrs. Frazier waited on her with great assid 
 uity and tenderness, lint, alas ! that fatal sickness was 
 destruction to my happiness. My child, she whom I now 
 clasp to HIV bosom as my only offspring, was born 
 my wife, the solace, the d,elight of my heart, was gone 
 her adoring husband she was dead ! 
 
 f can scarcely boar to think upon the agony I foil when 
 informed of mv misfortune. I shall not now depict it. 
 Mv senses soon became bewildered. 1 have at this day a 
 vague remembrance of having tied from the fa .al spot, with 
 a view of hastening to Canada, ami from thence to Europe 1 , 
 impressed with the delirious idea, that I should there meet 
 with a remedy lor all my troubles. Several months of my 
 life now succeeded, of which I have no recollection, for my 
 reason had been entirely suspended, f. however, reco* 
 gradually, and then found myself :inioug t!i (i Troqnois in
 
 I !IK WILDERNESS. 41 
 
 dians, almost upon the borders of the Mississippi river. 
 The recollection of my child, rclurncd M illi the resto- 
 ration of my intellect. :in<l [ was seized with an intense 
 (1* sire to revisit the spot where 1 had. in niv fren/y, left 
 her Tin 1 Iroquois liatl found me almost naked, and beinu 
 astonished at ihe wildncss of my manner, they had thought 
 proper to preserve me under the impression that the hand 
 of M;ineto was upon me; and as they often heard me ad 
 dressing the Deity in some Indian language, when ! spoke 
 in any o;her, they conceived that there \vas something su 
 pernatural about me, and he<ran to reverence in" in mv 
 insanity, as a person under the effects of prophetic inspi- 
 
 < this opinion of tiiese savages had probably savd 
 my life. I believed it best when ] recovered, not to unde 
 ceive them. 1 rather took some priiis to confirm them in 
 it. At length my desire to inquire alter my child became 
 so strong, that ] privately left ;he Iroi/iiois wiih thai inten 
 tion, i had proceeded eastward as far as the Scioto river. 
 when a party of the j\ lingoes .--ei/ed me. 1. however, un- 
 ih.eir lauiriiatn 1 , customs, and opinions too well, to 
 much alarmed. The delay in my inquiry after my 
 child, that the accident would occasion, o-rieved me most. 
 M v appearance, both as to complexion and dress, was 
 ether Indian, for I had, in order to a\oid danger on my 
 ney, used their dves HI coloring my sum. ! also had 
 resolved to avail myself of the hint which the credulity of 
 th" Iroquois had ;nven me, it I should fall in with any of 
 the tribes, to p >ss upon them as a prophet. I therefore 
 represented imself to the .Mii^oes as originally beloii^mii 
 to a remote nation of Canadian Indians, and as frequently 
 havirtif had \isions by \\hu - h I was instructed to <_ o towards 
 ihe ( )hio in order to teach the tribes in thai quarter the will 
 of the ( real Father. 
 
 It happened thai these Minifies had. at thai time, some 
 prisoners whom they had taken Irom ihe (Mtawas m a 
 bal le. and eonccniint. whom they \\ ( ! e the ne\! da\ to 
 hold a c ouiicil, which they invited me to attend. I imme 
 diately determined to trv \\hal I could do to savt these 
 prisoners, by workinfr on the belief \\hich their compieror-
 
 220 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 seemed to entertain of my prophetic mission and suc 
 ceeded beyond my expectation. 
 
 " I vvas, in consequence of iliis incident, inspired with the 
 resolution of remaining among the Indians for the purpose 
 of using the influence i had thus acquired, in order to tame 
 their manners, and restrain their barbarous practices towards 
 their enemies. With this view, I solicited adoption into the 
 tribe of the Mingoes, and their principal sachem, Fallakam- 
 sah, who had lost a son in the late light with the Ottawas, 
 received me with all the usual formalities, in his stead. 
 
 " My desire to make inquiry after my child, however, still 
 urged me to proceed eastward. ] informed Fallakamsah, 
 that a vision had ordered me to that quarter, -uid requested 
 his consent to my journey, lie at once gave it, observing: 
 " Fallakamsah never will oppose the revelations of the Great 
 Spirit." 
 
 "I came to Frazier s. He did not know me. 1 saw my 
 child, I kissed it, and pronouncing a blessing on its head, re- 
 iiirued to the Mingoes, tor the purpose of extending mv in- 
 liuenee among the Indian nations. I succeeded, and was 
 soon acknowledged by all the neighboring tribes as the un 
 doubted prophet of Maneto. 
 
 " In a lew months, I again visited my daughter, and formed 
 the resolution of making a concealed residence in her vicinity. 
 I soon discovered this cavern ; it was naturally well suited 
 lor my purpose, and with considerable labor and perseve 
 rance I rendered it still more so by constructing its entrance 
 as you find it. It was whilst I was employed in this under 
 taking, that my intercourse with Frazier s family, in the 
 character under which they have ever since known me, com 
 menced. In a dell, a short distance from this place, I found 
 Paddy, who was then but a small boy. lying on the ground, 
 crying piteously, with a fractured limb. I carried him to 
 his home, and by this means obtained an unsuspicious in 
 troduction to the intimacy of the family. Previous to this, 
 my visits had been few, and made cautiously, lor I feared 
 discovery from the superior means which Gilbert and his 
 wife had of knowing me. I escaped such discovery, how 
 ever ; foi simple and undisguised themselves, they placed 
 unplic.it confidence in my story. :ind looked upon me to !*; 
 nothing more than T pretended.
 
 I UK WILDERNESS. 221 
 
 " I now became the instructor of my child, and I felt hap 
 pier than ever 1 thought this world could make me, since it 
 no longer contained her who had given in>: the only true 
 relish of existence I had ever enjoyed. 1 had no desire to 
 return to society. Mv all was here, in the Wilderness. 
 My child was here, the last sad home of my wife was here; 
 here was the spot nh, how often have I watered it with my 
 tears! where the remains of her once lovely form were in 
 terred. Mere, too, was the theatre of my usefulness, to hu 
 manity. Bv my authority over the mind:? of the savages, I 
 have had the happiness to f-:ave many a human being from 
 destruction. it: maintaining that authority, Uowever, I must 
 oni ivd that I was often obliged, in imitation of the Cath 
 olic priesthood in farmer times, to work miracles; in suc- 
 i-essfully ( llccling vhich I have been long greaily assisted 
 by fin- shrewdness and dexterity of Paddy Frazier, who 
 :d"i .e \va-- in the secret of my being an European, although 
 he knew nothing more of my history. It was by his man- 
 nent thnt the eagle which was sacrificed instead of Doc 
 tor Kilibrea h, at Le Bceuf, was found so opportunely bound 
 io the rock at Lake Erie, and numberless other instance^ " 
 
 Tomialriikn. or rather ih-- Laird of Mackintosh, was here 
 interrupted by the hasty entrance ol Paddy Fra/ier, u ilh in- 
 lorma ion ilia! a parly of French soldiers, commanded by 
 [)e Villiurs fiimself. imd just surrounded his father s house, 
 threaieuing lo burn it, and carry the whole family prisoners 
 to Kurt I);i -,^iie.-;;c, in order to compel them by torlun 1 to 
 discover tiie pl;ice oi Main s concealment. 
 
 i I ere u as a new trial for Maiia, and one which would 
 have overpoweted her, lor she iell I he- most tender affection 
 for those kind friends who were thus plunged in calamity on 
 her accoun!, had not Washington, instantly perceiving the 
 slate ol her feelings, addressed her: 
 
 Fear no!, Miss Fra/ier, for your friends. I have a force 
 ;U hand sufficient to rescue them from these tigers ol the 
 forest. My life for their safety. Father, sustain and com- 
 furt thy daughter till we return. And now. (, apUun Adderly, 
 and you, Paddy Fra/ier, follow me !" 
 
 Me hastened to the dingle where his troops were encamp 
 ed. Their gallant horses swept the ground in full speed,
 
 222 Tin:- 
 
 and in a few minutes the French party were attacked almost 
 by surprise. The greater number of them fled at the first 
 onset, and those who stood to give battle, only stood to be 
 slain or captured. iJe \ illiers, who was a good soldier, did 
 all in his power to form his men, and prevent their flight. 
 ITe mounted his horse, galloped from place to place after his 
 flying soldiers, to bring them back, and those who did keep 
 the field, were retained there altogether by his exertions. 
 These, however, were soon ended, for Paddy Frazier having 
 pointed him out to Charles Adderly, who had never before 
 seen him. he flew towards him with the rapidity of an eagle 
 (billing upon its prey. He came upon him unawares, and 
 so intense was the bitterness of his rage against him, that his 
 first impulse was to strike him to the earth, but he checked 
 his blow. 
 
 " Turn, execrable villain !" shouted he, " and defend thy 
 self." 
 
 " In tiie name of the ch vil, who an; you " cried Me Vi!- 
 liers. a> lit; turned toward his antagonist. 
 
 "1 am the sworn ,<vi ngei o! Miss Frazier s wrongs," <-v,id 
 Charles. u Knowest thon that name . " 
 
 " 1 y heavens, then, you an; her lover, 1 suppose ihe 
 destroyer of my bliss ! Have n! tine, then !" 
 
 He hastily fired his pis!(, l at Charles s breast, but the 
 horse of tlu; latter thai moment raising his head, received the 
 bail in his brain, and fell t ihe earth, while Charles s sword 
 plunged into the neck (if I)e Villier s horse. \\ h:ch fell at 
 same time. 
 
 in another instant, the combatants were on their feet, with 
 their drawn swords in their hands, frowning terribly at each 
 other, in all the desperation of deadly rage. They gazed 
 not, they spoke not, but with fiery speed sprung to the at 
 tack. The sparks flew rapidly from their weapons, the 
 motions of which could scarcely be discerned by the eye, 
 while their sounds rang loudly and fearfully upon the ear. 
 But they did not long continue to do so. By a sudden side 
 stroke, Charles dashed his opponent s sword from its direc 
 tion, as it was coming with a violent thrust towards him. 
 and ran his own through l)e Villier s neck, who fell to the
 
 i HE wn.Di iKM:.^. 22 A 
 
 < arlii groaning :iiul ponrini: forth a torrent ol Mood, which 
 
 : tcrmim t -d his existen< . 
 
 S.) perish, all the Iocs to virtue, and the oppressors of 
 innocence, !" cried ( Maria is avenged ; I at length 
 
 something to 
 
 : I, or -uhimt ecL 
 
 \ rein, F ;>th, \vho 
 
 qsting in their ivfusal to discover Maria .* cut. 
 
 lad. for the purpose of heiirc c irried prisoners to the fort. 
 strongly pinioned, were no\v released. ;;nd Nellv and 
 Mrs. Killhreath, soon recovered from the. I rioht into which 
 ;t is natural to suppose these violent proceedings had thrown 
 J ht l ;iinil\ now hailed \Va<hinir1on "s their deliver 
 er iViiin a ferocious a:id enraged eneirr ; -ind t!ic ardor with 
 which (;;! >!;! :ind Nellv expressed, in their simple manner, 
 their gratitude to Clod. :;nd to him ::. (-oil s instrument ior 
 their preservation, sunk deeply into his he rl : . ;;d he rc- 
 sol .td, if possihlo, to persuade them immediatelv to h ave 
 the V/ilderiu-: .--, where tlie\- cmdd no longer enjoy safety, 
 make their n sidence for th 1 fnti e [ ale of 
 
 ci\ ilixation and la\v. 
 
 (Jilhert ass< nted. ^e ha.e, \vi the hli-ssing o Clod," 
 said he. "de hercd us IV: >e tl;e house o liondage, an wherCt 
 honld we no suhnii! !o he onided by yon to die land 
 o safety . for 1 trow we canna 1 hide langer ht re, let us 
 griiiir uliar we will, unless we wan: to fa into <he pit o 
 destruction/ 
 
 As \VashiiHi-ion wished io proceed without more delay 
 to the (ireat .Meadows, lest the French should come out 
 with their whole force from I)u Ouesne to att:ud< him, 
 Charles hastened to the ca\ern to inform Maria and her 
 father of their victory, and the consent which all their 
 Ir.ends had jus: o-i\-en to accomjtaji} ops !o th - in- 
 
 hidnlf d countrv. and that the \\\\< le pa.r v now only awaited 
 their joiniu 1 : them to set out for jjunhar s camp. 
 
 \\hen (iil iert was informed that Tounaleuka was tlu % 
 lath.er of Maria, he manifested th" most exec-sire joy. 
 Noo, \ell\ , said he. " did I no tell ye mony a lime that 
 the prophet could na he an Indian. He had r.vc owre 
 mii dcle sense, an "ifn sae like a Christian, that h<> could-
 
 224 [HE WILDERNESS. 
 
 na ha talked heller on what was richt an wrung, an 
 what was true religion, gin he had been born at Maughry- 
 gowan." 
 
 "An I aye had a notion," observed Nelly, " that the 
 French officer, wha was sae affectionate to his wife, wad 
 yin day or ilher come back to look after his dochter." 
 
 Gilbert s horses soon equipped for transporting his family 
 from the Wilderness, where the repose he had long enjyed 
 was now not to be found, to the habitations of society, 
 where, if he should be occasionally annoyed by the clamor 
 of clashing interests, he should, at least, have the shield of 
 law to protect, and the forms of religion to soothe his de 
 clining years. 
 
 The laird of Mackintosh, or, if the reader pleases, Ton- 
 naleuka, soon arrived with his lovely daughter at Frazier s, 
 and the whole party immediately set oil for the camp at the 
 Great Meadows, where they arrived in something less than 
 two days. The day following, Dunbar struck his tents, 
 and the army, accompanied by our friends of the Wilder- 
 ne.s*, proceeded bv easy stages to the fort at Will s Creek. 
 
 It was agreed upon by our party that they should remain 
 here until a messenger, who was immediately despatched 
 with a letter from Charles to his father, acquainting him 
 with the state of his affairs, his prospects, and his wishes, 
 and soliciting his concurrence in them should return with 
 an answer, which, from the complexion the case had now 
 assumed, it was not doubled would be favorable. Although 
 the army made but the delay of a few days at this place, 
 Wahshington gratified his friends by remaining with them, 
 until he should witness ihe ceremony that was to secure 
 them to each other forever. 
 
 To keep the reader no longer in suspense as to the fate 
 of these two faithful lovers, we hasten to relate, that as soon 
 as old Mr. Adderly received Charles s letter, he proceeded 
 to Will s Creek, in order that he might, with his own eyes 
 behold the charmer of the Wilderness, who had so entirely 
 captivated his son s heart, as to cause him to reject some of 
 the most splendid alliances in Philadelphia. The first sight 
 of Maria removed his surprise at his son s preference, and 
 the first conversation with her, made him delighted with it,
 
 THE WII.DKRXESS 
 
 and he took the earliest occasion to observe to Charles, 
 
 " It is no wonder, my son, that you became enamored of 
 this sweet blossom of the forest, and felt such an ardent de 
 sire to plant her in your bosom, and carry her to a more 
 congenial air. I really give you credit for waiting with so 
 much patience during the slow process of obtaining my con 
 sent." 
 
 " I deserve no credit," replied Charles, "on that account. 
 U hatcver is due to my forbearance in not making her pre 
 maturely my own, and depending on your indulgence after 
 wards .for pardon, is altogether owino- to her. Even at 
 this moment her consent to make me happy depends upon 
 \ ours." 
 
 " Then mine yon shall have without another moment s 
 delay," said his father. "Secure her as speedily as you 
 can, Charles, for I reallv believe that she is a prize, and may 
 heaven make you long happy together !" 
 
 Thank you, thank you, my dear father ." cried Charles, 
 and he could not avoid kissing the old gentleman s hand 
 with rapture. 
 
 " I shall siirn and seal articles, as to money matters, with 
 the Laird this very night," observed the father. 
 
 " As you please, for that, father," returned Charles, with 
 indifference for he, at that moment, cared not a farthing 
 for money matters. 
 
 In short, in a few days, the reat object of all Charles s 
 desires was obtained. His Maria was made his own; and 
 the heart of Washington fell comfort in beholding safety 
 and happiness thus secured to her for whose fate he had 
 long felt such a warm and tender solicitude. He. the next 
 day, hade the bridal pair an affectionate farewell, and re 
 turned to Mount Veruon ; while they, with all their friends, 
 proceeded to Philadelphia. Charles s mother was greatly 
 delighted with her daughter-in-law. The sweet rose of the 
 \V ilderness was soon introduced into the first society in her 
 country s capital, which she continued long to adorn; and, 
 notwithstanding the seclusion of her early years, the natural 
 excellence of her understanding, and the judicious culture 
 it had received from her lather, enabled her to acquit her 
 self so well in every department of social life, that she soon
 
 <J2G THK WILDERNESS, 
 
 acquired, and presened through a long, useful, and agreea 
 ble intercourse with the busy world, the esteem and admi 
 ration of nil who know her. 
 
 iJer father resided, fhrerful and happy, under the some 
 roof with her, onioyiwr ;. midst the luxury of ease and liter 
 ary recreation, the satisfaction of her presence, and that of 
 her children, ibr about twelve years, when he took his de 
 parture to join his long-lamented wife in the regions of im 
 mortality. 
 
 With respect to (Gilbert Frazier, the benevolent intentions 
 of Washington to bestow upon him a secure and comforta 
 ble residence in Virginia were disappointed. 
 
 I thank you. colonel," said he. before the illustrious 
 protector of himself and his family departed from Will s 
 Creek; kl l thank you, frae the very bottom o my heart, 
 lor your kindness to me an mine; baith for what ye hae 
 done, aii what ye noo offer to do. But 1 canna lianu to 
 bide in A irginia. wliar there are sae mony black-a-moors, 
 the very sicht of wham wad gar my flesh creep to look at. 
 But I m as thankful as <nn 1 took your offer: an I ll no 
 forget, no. while my said an body hnn<r thegither. I ll ne er 
 forget to pray for blessings on vourinide heart, as aflea an 
 sincerely as I ll pray for rny ain bairn - 1 ." 
 
 Charles soon discovering that Gilbert s wishes were in 
 clined towards his former residence on the Juniala, pur 
 chased it for him ; and the kind-hearted protectors of Ma 
 ria s infancy passed on one of the most engaging spots on 
 that picturesque stream, the declining years of their lives 
 in as much Iranquility, and almost as much contentment as 
 they would have done at Maughrygowan itself. Th< ir son 
 Archy, married shortly after re-settlement on this place, 
 which he continued to cultivate nmil the death of the old 
 people. It is said that he then sold this farm, (Paddy 
 having relinquished all claim to it.) and returned to his 
 former residence in the Wilderness, to which he had always 
 felt a partiality, and from the vicinity of which the British 
 arms had long before expelled the enemy who had occa 
 sioned his friends so much trouble. Here some casualty 
 cut him off during the war of the Revolution, after whi.-h 
 the family disposed of the place, and removed to the east-
 
 THE WILDKRNESS. 227 
 
 ward of the Allegheny mountains, hut to what neighbor 
 hood 1 h:m: been unable to ascertain. Tin 1 i/hce at Turtle 
 Creek, however, bears, in honor of its original settler, the 
 name of Fr;r/>r s Field" to this day. As tins name 
 commemorates that of the first euiiivator of the Western 
 \\ i!t!,-. it is !o be hoped (hat no capricious, cold-heated 
 proprietor of the spot, will ever attempt to give anothe 4 /; 
 or it it should he attempted, that the \oice of socu.ty will 
 resist the ungenerous innovation. 
 
 The future fortunes of Doctor Kiilbrrai.li aliord nothing 
 worth relating. He settled in (lie practice of his profession 
 in some town near bis father-in-law s residence, whore he 
 remained durinir life, and where it is probable that some of 
 his posteritv remain to the present day. 
 
 The reader will have observed that our friend Peter Mc- 
 Fall does not appear on the scene from the time he returned 
 to Philadelphia, after the battle of Fort Necessity. Tiie 
 reason was this. Shortly after his return to the city, he 
 met with an Irish sea captain whose ship was about to sail 
 for Cork. By the assistance of a few kindly glasses of 
 groij, this captain succeeded in persuading Peter that there 
 could be no harm in taking a trip across the Atlantic with 
 him to sec old Ireland once more, because it was as plain as 
 the mizeu-mast, that he could at any time put his foot on 
 hoard of a ship that would brinsr him back to his master, 
 when he chose to do so. Peter accordingly set sail for 
 Cork; but no sooner reached that port, tli-n the British 
 navy unfortunately happening at that time to be rather short 
 of hands, he was hurried without, his consent being asked. 
 on board of a king s ship, which, although she shortly af 
 terwards sailed for America, she was so unaccommodating 
 as not to land him there. At length, by Peter s assistance, 
 Great Britain having conquered her enemies, she very gen 
 erously let him go about his business. He returned to 
 Philadelphia, and was retaken into Charles s service ; sev 
 eral months after which, in consequence of a series of events 
 which we have not time to relate, he happened to see the 
 fair Ksthcr Gist tripping alon<_ r the streets. Och ! his hear! 
 again warmed to her; he saluted her slyly, and put (he 
 question to her so nately, that they wero married. He
 
 22R THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 and his wife lived very comfortably together to a good old 
 age, in Charles Aclderly s service. 
 
 As to Paddy Frazier, about the time that his father re- 
 entered upon the Juniata farm, he established himself as a 
 merchant in the town of Carlisle, in the vicinity. He con- 
 tinned this business very prosperously, till the winter of 
 t776, when, hearing of the distresses under which the army 
 of his favorite Washington at that trying crisis labored, he 
 abandoned his merchandise, collected about twenty smart 
 fellows of the neighborhood, well skilled in the use of the 
 rifle, put himself at their head, and joined the hero of his 
 country, about three days before the glorious attack upon 
 Trenton, which turned the scale of the war in favor of the 
 friends of freedom. 
 
 It would be tedious to recount the multiplicity of exploits 
 performed by this sagacious and intrepid partisan and devo 
 ted follower of Washington, during the remainder of that 
 memorable war. Washington, who well knew both the 
 merits and defects of his character, kept him in constant 
 employment at the head of scouting, foraging, maneuvering, 
 and harassing parties, for managing which, his genius was 
 exactly suited ; but he never elevated him to any important 
 stationary command, as he was aware that such a situation 
 would neither answer his inclination nor his talents, so well 
 as one less dignified, but requiring more promptitude and 
 activity. 
 
 At length, having frequently received the thanks of his 
 beloved commander, for the numerous and important servi 
 ces he had rendered his country during her tremendous 
 struggle for national existence, he fell, bravely performing 
 his duty, at the very close of that struggle, greatly lamented 
 by him who best knew how to appreciate the utility of his 
 active career. This happened during the attack upon the 
 British lines at Yorktown. He was leading on his men, 
 who had on that occasion exchanged their rifles for mus 
 kets and bayonets, to storm one of the British redoubts, 
 when he received a ball in his breast. He staggered and 
 fell. His party would have retired to carry him off, but 
 waving his hand, he cried 
 
 " Never mind mp, mv tads ! Pnh on !- -you know vonr 
 dutv."
 
 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 Shortly before he expired, he heard that ihe redoubt was 
 iaken. 
 
 " Carry me there," said he, " and let me die in it." 
 
 He was obeyed, and laid on a British mattress. In a few 
 minutes he felt the hand of death upon him. 
 
 "Tell Washington," said he to the bystanders, "that I 
 die happy, for I die victorious, the death of a patriot soldier, 
 worthy of having been his follower!" and he expired. 
 
 When this message was conveyed to the immortal chief, 
 now leading on his conquering legions to their last and most 
 glorious victory, he heaved a sigh. The memory of his 
 youthful days the image of the sweet rose of " The Wil 
 derness," with whom the idea of the deceased soldier was 
 so nearly connected, came, like an April sun, with melting 
 influence upon his soul, and he brielly said 
 
 " Alas ! a brave man is cut off in his prime !" but he 
 mentally added " so were my sweetest hopes once extin 
 guished ! " 
 
 The extinction of those youthful hopes of mutual affection 
 and happiness in the possession of her whom he had loved 
 with a fervor almost, perhaps altogether, beyond example, 
 to which the father of his country here alluded, produced, 
 indeed, upon his mind an effect which continued during the 
 whole of his long and illustrious life. IS ever, after a disap 
 pointment so deeply impressive upon his iieart, and under 
 which nothing but the strong sense of duty which he pos 
 sessed in so remarkable a dejjrce could have .supported him, 
 did he expect again to entertain the same feeling for female 
 excellence, or enjov the same delight in the contemplation 
 of female charms. To no woman could he ever again ex 
 pect to devote his affections so entirely and so rapturously. 
 Hence he could spare more of his thoughts to the graver 
 interests of mankind, he could devote more of his affections 
 to his country ; and since the intensity of love had now be 
 come exhaused from within his soul, he resolved to cherish 
 patriotism as the passion from which alone he could derive 
 the purest, the most manly, the most rational, and the most 
 exalted delight. lie never, it is true, forgot Maria, and the 
 sweet feeling she had once e.vited in his bosom ; but hi* 
 and h* i \\r|t:u<, \vnrf, for th< futiin>, tho rhiH ~ oh
 
 230 THE WILDERNESS. 
 
 jects of his affection. Her joy should be his joy, her miserv 
 should be his misery, and for her benefit should he exercise 
 the whole force of his powerful understanding, the full ene> - - 
 gies of his indefatigable perseverance, his invincible couraov, 
 and liis pre-eminent wisdom. 
 
 Ilis heart having suffered much, he became serious and 
 contemplative even in the days of hi. 1 youth, but he had 
 done his duty, and hence he was blest with the conscious 
 ness of self-approbation, and whh the possession of a mag 
 nanimous firmness, an independence, and a fearlessness in 
 all his actions and intercourse with the world. Ilavir.or 
 parted with the only object that could engross his who"? 
 affections, and being naturally free from every close and 
 selfish feelinjr, his hear regarded all men as his brothers, it 
 cherished his count rv as Ins onlv mistress, and hearkened 
 to his duty as his only masier. In short, from the dny 
 on which it was forced to abandon the tender hopes of a 
 youthful and enthusiastic love, it would be impossible to lird 
 an example of human nature having produced a heart mo,^ 
 purely and entirely devoted to all the calls of philanthrop , 
 patriotism and duty, and productive of actions more condu 
 cive to the world s benefit, than the heart of WASHINGTON . 
 
 THE END
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
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