CAPTAIN COXNOB'S ADVENTUKES. 81 



The capture from them of their means of transport might 

 be followed up by a crushing attack by overwhelming 

 odds from the Indians who had broken the peace ; or the 

 Delaware party might be daily and nightly .harassed, worn 

 out, or cut off in detail, during the long and tedious march 

 before them. 



However, Connor's party [was not further molested. 

 They travelled aod camped with every precaution, taking 

 all the advantages that experienced braves, led by such an 

 able old leader, might be expected to do and certainly 

 eighteen picked Delaware warriors so led, each armed with 

 a good Hawkins' rifle, Colt's revolver, bowie and toma- 

 hawk, and seventeen youths, expert bowmen, proud of 

 their position as squires tc such knights, and keen for a 

 chance to distinguish themselves under the eye of their 

 respected chief anxious, in fact, to earn their rank as 

 braves, and be boys no longer were not a party to be 

 unadvisedly brought to bay. Probably their plunderers 

 considered it would be sheer folly, after securing the spoils 

 of a victory without the loss of a man, to risk their lives 

 by an attack on well armed and desperate warriors, from 

 whom, except their weapons, no further plunder was to be 

 obtained. 



I learned afterwards that when John Connor arrived at 

 home with his little band, he called his council together, 

 and made the most stirring and bitter speech any of them 

 had ever heard him deliver. It was reported to me that 

 he had said : " I went out well-armed, mounted, and 

 equipped ; my return, loaded with the trophies of the 

 chase, "was looked forward to with pleasure. I had pro- 



