144 THE WILDERNESS AND ITS TENANTS. [1758 



for the critical mission. His journals, written in 

 a style of quaint simplicity, are full of lively 

 details, and afford a curious picture of forest life 

 and character. He left Philadelphia in July, 

 attended by a party of friendly Indians, on whom 

 he relied for protection. Reaching the Ohio, he 

 found himself beset with perils from the jealousy 

 and malevolence of the savage warriors, and the 

 machinations of the French, who would gladly 

 have destroved him.^ Yet he found friends where- 



1 The following are extracts from his journals : — 



" We set out from Kuslikushkee for Sankonk ; my company consisted 

 of twenty-five horsemen and fifteen foot. We arrived at Sankonk in the 

 afternoon. The people of the town were much disturbed at my coming, 

 and received me in a very rough manner. They surrounded me with 

 drawn knives in their hands, in such a manner that I could hardly get 

 along ; running up against me with their breasts open, as if they wanted 

 some pretence to kill me. I saw by their countenances they sought my 

 death. Their faces were quite distorted with rage, and they went so far 

 as to say, I should not live long ; but some Indians, with whom I was 

 formerly acquainted, coming up and saluting me in a friendly manner, 

 their behavior to me was quickly changed." ..." Some of my party 

 desired me not to stir from the fire, for that the French had offered a 

 great reward for my scalp, and that there were several parties out on that 

 purpose. Acccordingly I stuck constantly as close to the fire as if I had 

 been chained there. . . . 



" In the afternoon, all the captains gathered together in the middle 

 town ; they sent for us, and desired we should give them information of 

 our message. Accordingly we did. We read the message with great 

 satisfaction to them. It was a great pleasure both to them and us. The 

 number of captains and counsellors were sixteen. In the evening, mes- 

 sengers arrived from Fort Duquesne, with a string of wampum from the 

 commander ; upon which they all came together in the house where we 

 lodged. The messengers delivered their string, with these words from 

 their father, the French king : — 



" ' My children, come to me, and hear what I have to say. The Eng- 

 lish are coming with an array to destroy both you and me. I therefore 

 desire you immediately, my children, to hasten with all the young men ; 

 we will drive the English and destroy them. I, as a father, will tell you 

 always what is best.' He laid the sti-ing before one of the captains. 

 After a little conversation, the captain stood up, and said, ' I have just 



