unce his connexions,
and residence amongst the _Abenaquis_, where he is almost adored. He has
learned to excel them all, even in their own points of competition. He
out-does them all in their feats of activity, in running, leaping,
climbing mountains, swimming, shooting with the bow and arrow, managing
of canoes, snaring and killing birds and beasts, in patience of fatigue,
and even of hunger; in short, in all they most value themselves upon, or
to which they affix the idea of personal merit, the only merit that
commands consideration amongst them. They are not yet polished enough to
admire any other. By this means, however, he perfectly reigns amongst
them, with a power the greater, for the submission to it not only being
voluntary, but the effect of his acknowledged superiority, in those
points that with them alone constitute it. His personal advantages
likewise may not a little contribute thereto, being perfectly well-made,
finely featured, with a great deal of natural wit, as well as courage.
He dresses, whilst with the savages, exactly in their manner, ties his
hair up like them, wears a tomby-awk, or hatchet, travels with
_rackets_, (or Indian shoes) and, in short, represents to the life the
character of a compleat savage-warrior. When he comes to _Quebec_, or
_Louisbourg_, he resumes his European dress, without the least mark
appearing in his behaviour, of that wildness or rudeness one would
naturally suppose him to have contracted by so long a habit of them with
the savages. Nobody speaks purer French, or acquits himself better in
conversation. He takes up or lays down the savage character with equal
grace and ease. His friends have, at length, given over teazing him to
come and reside for good amongst them; they find it is to so little
purpose. The priests indeed complain bitterly, that he is not overloaded
with religion, from his entering so thoroughly into the spirit of the
savage-life; and his setting an example, by no means edifying, of a
licentious commerce with their women; besides, his giving no signs of
his over-respecting either their doctrine or spiritual authority. This
they pretend hurts them with their actual converts, as well as with
those they labor to make; though, in this conduct, he is not singular,
for the French wood-rangers, in general, follow the like course in a
greater or lesser degree. These representations of the priests would,
however, have greater influence with our government, if the