HISTORY OF VERMONT. 177 



the kindness and affection, with which they -were 

 treated. All distinction of tribes was forgotten ; 

 they held the same rank as the. deceased person, 

 whose place they filled ; and were treated with 

 all the tenderness due to the husband, the 

 brother, the child, or friend. And it was gen- 

 erally the case, that the savages avoided abuse 

 and cruelty to the women and children, that fell 

 into their hands. 



The Indian method of carrying on a war, 

 was so contrary to the maxims and customs of 

 all civilized nations, that some of the European 

 writers, judging from their own customs, have 

 concluded it v/as founded on cowardice, and a- 

 rose from an ignoble and timid spirit, afraid to 

 meet its opposers on equal ground, and depend- 

 ing wholly on craft, and not at all on courage 

 and firmness of mind. No conclusion was ev- 

 er further 'from the truth. When placed in a 

 critical and dangerous situation, no people ever 

 discovered more valour, firmness, and intrepidi- 

 ty. When subdued, an Indian was never 

 known to ask for his life. W'^hen compelled to 

 suffer, the Indian bore it with a steadiness, a 

 fortitude, and a magnanimity, unknown to all 

 other nations ; and of which, there are no ex- 

 amples in the history of war. His method of 

 war did not arise from a sense and fear of dan- 

 ger ; he v.'as well acquainted, and always in the 

 midst of this ; but it arose from his situation 

 and employment, and was perfectly well adapted 

 to it. From his situation and employment as an 

 hunter, he acquired the art of ambuscade and 

 surprise ; and the method v/ith which he could 

 best succeed in taking his game, he found to be 



