i^8 enecdote. ^uty 17.' 



were taken and treated with such barbarity, as is hardly 

 to be equalled even in these savage countries. 



A young Englifti officer being pursued by tvro savages 

 •who approached him with uplifted hatchets, and seeing 

 that death was Inevitable, determined to sell his life dear- 

 ly. At this instant, an old savage, armed with a bow, 

 was preparing to pierce his heart with an arrow ; but 

 scarcely had he afsuraed that posture, when he suddenly 

 let fall his bow, and threw himself between the young of- 

 ficer and his barbarian combatants, who instantly retired 

 with respect. 



The old Indian took the Englifhman by the hand, dis;- 

 pelled all his fears, by his carefses, and conducted him 

 to his cabin, where he always treated him with that ten- 

 dernefs which cannot be affected. He was lefs his master 

 than his companion ; taught him the Indian language, and 

 made the rude acts of that country familiar to him. They 

 lived contentedly together, and one thing only disturbed 

 the young Englifliman's tranquillity j the old man would 

 Kometimes fix his eyes on him, and, while he surveyed 

 him attentively, tears fell in torrents from his eyes. 



On the return of spring, however, they recommenced 

 hostilities, and every one appeared in arms. The old man 

 who had yet strength sufficient to support the toils of war, 

 set off with the rest, accompanied by his prisoner. The 

 Indians having marched above two hundred leagues 

 through forests, at last arrived on the borders of a plain, 

 where they discovered the Engliih camp. 



The old savage, observing the young man's counte- 

 nance, fhewed him the Englilh camp. " There are thy 

 brethren, (said he to him,) waiting to fight us. Be at- 

 tentive. I have saved thy life. 1 have taught thee to make 

 a canoe, a bow, and arrows j to surprise an enemy in the 

 fore>t, to manage the hatchet, and to carry off a scalp. 



