146 THE WILDERNESS AND ITS TENANTS. [1758-1760. 



a contemptible idea of British prowess. This 

 impression was deepened, when, in the following 

 year, they saw Oswego taken by the French, and 

 the British general, Webb, retreat with dastardly 

 haste from an enemy who did not dream of pursu- 

 ing him. At this time, some of the confederates 

 actually took up the hatchet on the side of France, 

 and there was danger that the rest might follow 

 their example.^ But now a new element was 

 infused into the British counsels. The fortunes 

 of the conflict began to change. Du Quesne and 

 Louisburg were taken, and the Iroquois conceived 

 a better opinion of the British arms. Their friend- 

 ship was no longer a matter of doubt ; and in 1760, 

 when Amherst was preparing to advance on Mon- 

 treal, the warriors flocked to his camp like vultures 

 to the carcass. Yet there is little doubt, that, had 

 their sachems and orators followed the dictates of 

 their cooler judgment, they would not have aided 

 in destroying Canada ; for they could see that in 

 the colonies of France lay the only barrier against 

 the growing power and ambition of the English 

 provinces. 



The Hurons of Lorette, the Abenakis, and 

 other domiciliated tribes of Canada, ranged them- 

 selves ,on the side of France throughout the war ; 

 and at its conclusion, they, in common with the 

 Canadians, may be regarded in the light of a con- 

 quered people. 



The numerous tribes of the remote west had, 

 with few exceptions, played the part of active 



1 MS. Johnson Papers. 



