r 
Preparatory fast. 211 
have come in sight of it without taking offen^ 
sive measures, in which case resistance would 
certainly have been made. When therefore, 
it was heard that General Wayne had not been 
fired; upon, the Indians complained grievously 
of their having been deceived, and were greatly 
disheartened on finding that they were to re¬ 
ceive no assistance from the British. Their 
native courage, however, did not altogether 
forsake them ; they resolved speedily to make 
a stand, and accordingly having chosen their 
ground, awaited the arrival of General Wayne, 
who followed them closely. 
Preparatory to the day on which they ex¬ 
pected a general engagement, the Indians, con 
trary to the usages of most nations^ observe a 
strict fast; nor does this abstinence from all 
sorts of food diminish their exertions in the 
field, as from their early infancy they accustom 
themselves to fasting for long periods together. 
The day before General Wayne was expected, 
this ceremony was strictly attended to, and af¬ 
terwards, having placed themselves in ambush 
in the woods, they waited for his arrival. He 
did not, however, come to the ground on the 
day that they had imaginedfrom the reports 
given them by their scouts of his motions, lie 
would have done; but having reason to think 
he would come on a subsequent day, they 
did: not move from their ambush The second 
