HISTORY OF THE NEW YORK IROQUOIS 203 



which were inland, they may have ascended Cattaraugus creek 

 or gone to the head waters of the Alleghany, perhaps both. The 

 story of the war and its causes is interesting. The Eries had sent 

 30 men to the Senecas to treat of peace, and, while they were 

 there, a Seneca was elsewhere killed by an Erie. The Senecas fell 

 on the ambassadors, of whom but five escaped. War ensuing, the 

 Onondaga chief, Annenraes, was taken before he knew of the 

 outbreak ; but he proved as persuasive as of old and was given 

 to the sister of one of the dead ambassadors, with the hope that 

 he might preserve peace. She was not then at home, but they 

 doubted not her acceptance, clothed him handsomely and feasted 

 him well. When she returned, she refused all offers, though 

 this might ruin her country. He must die, and they had to yield. 

 They took him from the feast, stripped him of his robes and 

 kindled the fire. " He cried out before dying that they were 

 going to burn a nation in his person, and that they would cruelly 

 avenge his death." An Iroquois army quickly took the field and 

 made his words good. 



There is a fanciful Seneca tradition of this war which has been 

 credited by many, but which has no likeness to the contempo- 

 raneous account, and the latter has some difficulties. According 

 to this the Eries abandoned most of their towns, but at last made 

 a stand in a strong fort and were summoned to surrender. They 

 refused, and a terrible assault began, which was long unsuccess- 

 ful. The palisades were high and well defended. The Iroquois 

 took their canoes and bore them before them, using them first as 

 shields and then as ladders. The fort was carried with the loss 

 of many of the assailants, but with terrible carnage to the inmates. 

 After this, 300 rallied and planned a surprise, which was badly 

 conducted. At the first Iroquois yell they lost heart and fled. 

 The invaders sufifered much, but except as captives the Eries 

 appeared no more. One campaign destroyed them. 



The Iroquois invaders are said to have been 1800 men, but 

 it is safe to reduce this estimate, and, as the Eries fought bravely 

 on the defensive in a strong fort, their numbers could hardly have 

 been large, and archeologic evidence rather favors this. This 



