HISTORY OF VERMONT. 17^ 



sure possession. The savages were wholly un- 

 able to dispossess them by their method of war, 

 and nothing was left for them but to retreat 

 further into the forests. In this way the Eng- 

 lish» and French were making constant advan- 

 ces into their country ; and their art of war af- 

 forded them no sufficient means, cither to pre- 

 vent or to redress it. But when the Europeans 

 followed them into the woods, \%'here their 

 sti'ength and art might be employed to advan- 

 tage, the Indians generall}- surprised and defeat- 

 ed their armies, with great haAoc and slaughter. 

 Education. The subsistence and safety 

 of the tribe depended so much upon the hunter, 

 and warrior, that these became of course the 

 most necessary, useful, and honourable profes- 

 sions. When in pursuit of food, the young 

 men put themselves under the direction of the 

 most noted and successful hunter. Going forth 

 to war, they followed the most renoimed and 

 successful warrior. Eminence in these profes- 

 sions was the surest way to subsistence, to dis- 

 tinction, to honour, and renown. This was the 

 basis, and formed the whole business of educa- 

 tion, among the savages. To train up the 

 youth to address and dexterity in hunting ; to 

 make him patient, firm, persevering, in hardship 

 and suffering ; inveterate, fierce, and intrepid 

 in destroying his enemies ; was the chief aim 

 and design of the parent. Every thing that had 

 no connexion with this, was neglected and des- 

 pised. The arts of acquiring knowledge, gov- 

 erning the passions, refining the manners, and 

 cultivating improvements, were unknown and 

 undesired by the >avage. He never corrected 



