210 BOUQUET IN THE INDIAN COUNTRY. [1764, Oct. 



show no mercy, for the future, to any of your 

 nations that shall fall into my hands. I allow you 

 ten days to have my letters delivered at Detroit, 

 and ten days to bring me back an answer." ^ 



The liberated spy faithfully discharged his mis- 

 sion ; and the firm, decisive tone of the message had 

 a profound effect upon the hostile warriors ; clearly 

 indicating, as it did, with what manner of man they 

 had to deal. Many, who were before clamorous 

 for battle, were now ready to sue for peace, as the 

 only means to avert their ruin. 



Before the army was ready to march, two Iro- 

 quois warriors came to the fort, pretending friend- 

 ship, but anxious, in reality, to retard the expedition 

 until the approaching winter should make it impos- 

 sible to proceed. They represented the numbers 

 of the enemy, and the extreme difficulty of pene- 

 trating so rough a country ; and affirmed that, if the 

 troops remained quiet, the hostile tribes, who were 

 already collecting their prisoners, would soon arrive 

 to make their submission. Bouquet turned a deaf 

 ear to their advice, and sent them to inform the 

 Delawares and Shawanoes that he was on his way 

 to chastise them for their perfidy and cruelty, 

 unless they should save themselves by an ample 

 and speedy atonement. 



Early in October, the troops left Fort Pitt, and 

 began their westward march into a wilderness which 

 no army had ever before sought to penetrate. En- 

 cumbered with their camp equipage, with droves 

 of cattle and sheep for subsistence, and a long train 



1 Account of Bouquet's Expedition, 5. 



