1763, July.] THE ARMED SCHOONERS. 299 



The two armed schooners, anchored opposite the 

 fort, were now become objects of awe and aversion 

 to the Indians. This is not to be wondered at, for, 

 besides aiding in the defence of the place, by sweep- 

 ing two sides of it with their fire, they often caused 

 great terror and annoyance to the besiegers. Sev- 

 eral times they had left their anchorage, and, taking 

 up a convenient position, had battered the Indian 

 camps and villages with no little effect. Once in 

 particular, — and this was the first attempt of the 

 kind, — Gladwyn himself, with several of his oflB.- 

 cers, had embarked on board the smaller vessel, 

 while a fresh breeze was blowing from the north- 

 west. The Indians, on the banks, stood watching 

 her as she tacked from shore to shore, and pressed 

 their hands against their mouths in amazement, 

 thinking that magic power alone could enable her 

 thus to make her way against wind and current.^ 

 Making a long reach from the opposite shore, she 

 came on directly towards the camp of Pontiac, her 

 sails sw^elling, her masts leaning over till the black 

 muzzles of her guns almost touched the river. The 

 Indians watched her in astonishment. On she 

 came, till their fierce hearts exulted in the idea 

 that she would run ashore within their clutches, 

 when suddenly a shout of command was heard on 

 board, her progress was arrested, she rose upright, 

 and her sails flapped and fluttered as if tearing 



have, a Friend or Acquaintance that I valued more than he. My present 

 comfort is, that if Charity, benevolence, innocence, and integrity are a 

 sufficient dispensation for all mankind, that entitles him to happiness in 

 the world to come." 



1 Penn. Gaz. No. 1808. 



