it was fruitless to delay. I had every
reason to imagine that the people before me must either be favourable to
Great Britain, or at least indifferent to the war; and in either case,
from the experience I possessed of the manners of the natives, I did not
think I had much to fear. I therefore determined to hazard everything
upon the probability of a favourable reception, and, collecting all my
resolution, I marched boldly forward, and soon arrived at the
encampment.

"As soon as I entered the village the women and children gathered round
me, with the curiosity natural to mankind at the sight of an
unaccustomed object. I formed a favourable conjecture from this apparent
ignorance of Europeans, and walking on with a composed step and steady
countenance, I at length entered into one of the largest cabins I could
find. When I was within, I saw a venerable old man whom I took to be a
chief from his appearance, sitting at his ease upon the ground, and
smoking. I saluted him with all the courtesy I was able, and placed
myself upon the ground, at some little distance, waiting with inward
anxiety, but external composure, for him to begin the conversation.
After he had eyed me for some time with fixed attention, but without
either sternness or anger, he took the pipe from his mouth and presented
it to me. I received it with infinite satisfaction; for, as I have
before remarked, this is always with the American tribes the firmest
pledge of peace and a friendly reception.

"When we had thus been seated for some time in mutual contemplation of
each other, he asked me in a dialect which I understood tolerably well,
to eat. I did not think it prudent to refuse any offered civility, and
therefore accepted the offer; and in a little time, a young woman who
was in the back part of the hut, set before me some broiled fish and
parched maize. After I had eaten, my friendly host inquired into my
country and the reasons of my visit. I was just enough acquainted with
the language he spoke to be able to understand him, and to give an
intelligible though imperfect answer. I therefore explained to him, as
well as I was able, that I had crossed the great water with the warriors
of the king of Britain; that we had been compelled to take up the
hatchet against the French and their allies, and that we had actually
set out upon an expedition against their colonies, but that we had been
surprised by a lurking party in the woods; that, in the confusion