inflicted upon those who were so unfortunate as to have been made
prisoners; and the orgies and demoniacal revels with which the victory
was celebrated. He was subsequently adopted into a family, by which he
was kindly treated; and became well acquainted with their manner of
warfare, and the various arts practised by them, to ensure success in
their predatory incursions, and afterwards to elude pursuit. He became
satisfied from observation, that to combat Indians successfully, they
must be encountered in their own way; and he accordingly instructed
his men in the Indian mode of warfare, dressed them after the Indian
fashion, and fought after the Indian manner.[5]

An instance of the good effect resulting from practicing the arts
and stratagems of the Indians, occurred during this war; and to
its success the garrison of Fort Pitt were indebted for their
preservation.

After the ratification of the treaty of peace which had been concluded
between England and France, war continued to be waged by the Indians
on the whole western frontier. A large body of them had collected and
marched to Fort Pitt, with a view to its reduction by famine. It had
been invested for some time and the garrison being too weak to sally
out and give battle to the besiegers, Capt. Ecuyer dispatched
messengers with the intelligence of his situation and a request for
aid and provisions: these were either compelled to return or be
killed, as the country for some distance east of Fort Pitt was in the
possession of the savages.[6]

At length a quantity of provisions were ordered by Gov. Amherst for
the relief of the fort, and forwarded under a strong guard commanded
by Colonel Boquet. The Indians were soon apprized of this and
determined on intercepting the provisions, and if practicable, to
prevent their reaching the place of their destination. With this
object in view, a considerable force was detached, to watch the
motions of Col. Boquet and [81] upon a favorable opportunity to give
him battle. In a narrow defile on Turtle creek an attack was made by
the Indians, and a severe engagement ensued. Both armies fought with
the most obstinate bravery, from one o'clock 'till night, and in the
morning it was resumed, and continued with unabated fury for several
hours. At length Col. Boquet, having placed four companies of infantry
and grenadiers in ambush, ordered a retreat. So soon as this was
commenced, the Indians, confident of victory, pressed forwar