ely
changed their plans of annoyance. Instead of longer endeavoring to cut
off the whites in detail, they brought into the country a force,
sufficiently numerous and powerful to act simultaneously against all
the settlements. The consequence of this was, much individual
suffering and several horrid massacres. Husbandmen, toiling to secure
the product of the summer's labor, for their sustenance another
season, were frequently attacked, and murdered.--Hunters, engaged in
procuring meat for immediate and pressing use, were obliged to
practise the utmost wariness to evade the ambushed Indian, and make
sure their return to the fort. Springs and other watering places, and
the paths leading to them, were constantly guarded by the savages; who
would lie near them day and night, until forced to leave their covert,
in quest of food to satisfy their extreme hunger; and who, when this
end was attained, would return to their hiding places, with renovated
strength, and increased watchfulness. The cattle belonging to the
garrisons were either driven off, or killed, so that no supplies
could be derived from them. This state of things continued, without
intermission, 'till the severity of winter forced the Indians to
depart for their towns; and then succeeded, of necessity, a truce,
which had become extremely desirable to the different settlements.

When we reflect on the dangers, the difficulties, the complicated
distresses, to which the inhabitants were then exposed, it is really
matter of astonishment that they did not abandon the country, and seek
elsewhere an exemption from those evils. How women, with all the
feminine weakness of the sex, could be prevailed upon to remain during
the winter, and encounter with the returning spring, the returning
horrors of savage warfare, is truly surprising. The frequent
recurrence of danger, does indeed, produce a comparative insensibility
and indifference to it; but it is difficult to conceive, [145] that
familiarity with the tragic scenes which were daily exhibited there,
could reconcile persons to a life of constant exposure to them. Yet
such was the fact; and not only did the few, who were first to venture
on them, continue in the country, but others, equally adventurous,
moved to it; encountering many hardships and braving every danger, to
aid in maintaining possession of the modern Canaan, and to obtain a
home in that land of milk and honey. If for a while, they flattered
themselves with t