164 BRADSTREET'S ARMY ON THE LAKES. [1764. 



A striking spectacle greeted them on their land- 

 ing. Hundreds of Indian cabins were clustered 

 along the skirts of the forest, and a countless mul- 

 titude of savages, in all the picturesque variety of 

 their barbaric costume, were roaming over the 

 fields, or lounging about the shores of the lake. 

 Towards the close of the previous winter, Sir Wil- 

 liam Johnson had despatched Indian messengers 

 to the tribes far and near, warning them of the 

 impending blow ; and urging all who were friendly 

 to the English, or disposed to make peace while 

 there was yet time, to meet him at Niagara, and 

 listen to his words. Throughout the winter, the 

 sufferings of the Indians had been great and gen- 

 eral. The suspension of the fur- trade ; the con- 

 sequent want of ammunition, clothing, and other 

 articles of necessity ; the failure of expected aid 

 from the French ; and, above all, the knowledge 

 that some of their own people had taken up arms 

 for the English, combined to quench their thirst 

 for war. Johnson's messengers had therefore been 

 received with unexpected favor, and many had 

 complied with his invitation. Some came to pro- 

 test their friendship for the English ; others hoped, 

 by an early submission, to atone for past miscon- 

 duct. Some came as spies ; while others, again, 

 were lured by the hope of receiving presents, and 

 especially a draught of English milk, that is to say, 

 a dram of whiskey. 



The trader, iVlexander Henry, the same who so 

 narrowly escaped the massacre at Michillimackinac, 

 was with a party of Ojibwas at the Sault Ste. 



