1763.] TENNSYLVAXIA FRONTIER. 83 



these borders into total confusion. They had con- 

 tributed, however, to enhance the martial temper 

 of the people, and give a warlike aspect to the 

 whole frontier. At intervals, small stockade forts, 

 containing houses and cabins, had been erected by 

 the joint labor of the inhabitants ; and hither, on 

 occasion of alarm, the settlers of the neighborhood 

 congregated for refuge, remaining in tolerable 

 security till the danger was past. Many of the 

 inhabitants were engaged for a great part of the 

 year in bunting ; an occupation upon which they 

 entered with the keenest relish.^ Well versed in 

 woodcraft, unsurpassed as marksmen, and prac- 

 tised in all the wiles of Indian war, they would 

 have formed, under a more stringent organization, 

 the best possible defence against a savage enemy ; 

 but each man came and went at his ow^n sovereign 

 will, and discipline and obedience were repugnant 

 to all his habits. 



The frontiers of Maryland and Virginia closely 

 resembled each other ; but those of Pennsylvania 

 had peculiarities of their own. The population 

 of this province was of a most motley complexion, 

 being made up of members of various nations, and 



1 " I have often seen them get up early in the morning at this season, 

 walk hastily out, and look anxiously to the woods, and snuff the autumnal 

 winds witli the highest rapture ; then return into the house, and cast a 

 quick and attentive look at the rifle, which was always suspended to a 

 joist by a couple of buck's horns, or little forks. Plis hunting dog, under- 

 standing the intentions of his master, would wag his tail, and, by every 

 blandishment in his power, express his readiness to accompany him to 

 the woods." — Doddridge, Notes on Western Va. and Pa., 124. 



For a view of the state of the frontier, see also Kercheval, Hist, of 

 the Valley of Virginia; and Smyth, Travels in America. 



