ious number of different beasts. But it sometimes happens that,
while they are engaged in the chase of other animals, they become a prey
themselves to their enemies, who take this method of surprising them in
the woods, and gratifying their resentment. This was actually the case
with my friends the Saukies, and produced a surprising event, the
consequence of which was my return to the English colonies in safety.

"The Saukies had been long at war with the Iroquese, a powerful tribe of
North Americans, in the interest of the French. The Iroquese had
received intelligence of the situation of the Saukies' encampment, and
determined to surprise them. For this purpose a thousand warriors set
out by a secret march through the woods, and travelled with silence and
celerity, which are peculiar to all these nations. When they had nearly
approached the hunting-grounds of their enemies, they happened to be
discovered upon their march by four warriors of another nation, who
instantly suspected their design, and, running with greater diligence
than it was possible so large a body could make, arrived at the
encampment of the Saukies, and informed them of the near approach of
their enemies. A great council was instantly assembled to deliberate
upon the choice of proper measures for their defence. As they were
encumbered with their families, it was impracticable to retreat with
safety, and it seemed equally difficult to resist so large a force with
inferior numbers.

"While they were in this uncertainty, I considered the nature of their
situation, and had the good fortune to find out a resource, which, being
communicated to my friend and chief, and adopted by the nation, was the
means of their safety. I observed that the passage to the Saukie camp,
for the Iroquese, lay along a narrow slip of land which extended for
nearly a mile between two lakes. I therefore advised the Saukies to cast
up a strong barrier at the end of the passage, which I showed them how
to strengthen with ditches, palisades, and some of the improvements of
the European fortification. Their number of warriors amounted to about
four hundred; these I divided into equal parts, and, leaving one to
defend the lines, I placed the other in ambuscade along the neighbouring
woods. Scarcely were these dispositions finished before the Iroquese
appeared, and, imagining they were rushing upon an unguarded foe,
entered the defile without hesitation. As soon as the whole body was