192 OCEAN TO OCEAN ON HORSEBACK. 



post of the city. From him I learned something of 

 the changes which had taken place since my last visit 

 here, and which I was desirous to see as much of as 

 circumstances would allow. Buffalo has a peculiarly 

 rich history, and, like the old towns of the Mohawk 

 Valley, the romantic view which Indian life and love 

 have given. 



Near here the arrogant Eries held their councils, 

 and deliberated upon the downfall of their powerful 

 neighbors of the Five Nations; who, in turn, ruined 

 and almost exterminated them. The chronicles tell 

 us that the Iroquois, coming by invitation to engage 

 in friendly contest on the hunting-ground of the 

 Eries, soon discovered the real intent of the wily 

 *^Cats," who were jealous of the renown of their red 

 brothers. Failing in the games they had themselves 

 proposed, and blind with rage, they saw their tolerant 

 guests depart with the trophies of victory. No sooner 

 were they out of sight than a council of war was held, 

 and a decision to conquer them agreed upon. The 

 war bonnets were donned, the dog sacrificed, and 

 every preparation made for a raid into the enemy^s 

 country ; but a Seneca woman who had been taken 

 prisoner by the Eries some years before, apprised 

 the great chiefs of her nation of the intended attack. 



In this way the Eries were in turn surprised and 

 defeated in their last game with their rivals. Only a 

 few of their warriors were left to bear the hateful 

 news to the women and old men who were waiting in 

 the wigwams: and these with their allies, terribly 

 punished as they had been in the encounter, were 

 driven by their infuriated enemies beyond the Missis- 

 sippi. The Senecas, who proudly called themselves 



