THIRTY YE4.E8 A HUNTER. 209 



neither kettle nor gun. * * *" Little further is 

 known of his early life, beyond the fact that he was 

 allied with the French in the engagement against 

 Braddock, in July, 1775. He was probably at that 

 time about seventeen years old. During the Revolu- 

 tion he was a war chief of high rank, in the full 

 vigor of manhood, active, sagacious, eloquent and 

 brave ; and he most probably participated in the 

 principal engagements against the United States, 

 during that war. He is supposed to have been pres- 

 ent at the cruelties of Wyoming and Cherry Yalley, 

 in which the Senecas took a prominent part. He 

 was in the war-path with Brant during Gen. Sulli- 

 van's campaign, in 1779, and in the following year 

 under Brant and Sir John Johnson, he led the Sene- 

 cas in sweeping through Schoharie Kill and the 

 Mohawk. On this occasion he took his father pris- 

 oner, but with such caution as to avoid an immediate 

 recognition. After marching the old man ten or 

 twelve miles, he stepped before him, faced about 

 and addressed him in the following terms : 



"My name is John Q'Bail, commonly called Corn- 

 planter. I am yt>ur son ! You are my father ! You 

 are my prisoner, and subject to the rules of Indian 

 warfare. But you shall not be harmed. You need 

 not fear. I am a warrior ! Many are the scalps I 

 have taken ! Many prisoners I have tortured to 

 death ! I am your son. I was anxious to see you, 

 and greet you in friendship. I went to your cabin 

 and took you by force, but your life shall be spared T 

 Indians love their friends and their kindred, an4 



♦18 



