the eastern and southern coast, whilst the Indian
tribes westward, aided by the Canadians and Tories, swarmed through all
the western forests.

Mayall began to shun them as much as convenient. They appeared very
different from the Oneidas, and seemed now to be hunting for men and
plunder, instead of wild game. They cleared away and made their
war-paths more plain along the broad-armed Susquehanna and her
tributaries. They came, painted and plumed for the fray, with their
scalp-locks waving in the air; and the frightful war-whoop echoed
through the valley and died away upon the mountain top, frightening the
wild beasts to their lair, as they marched towards the nearest
settlements, to kindle the terror-awakening fire, and massacre and
plunder the inhabitants. The war-whoop awoke the child from the
cradle--the infant was torn from its mother's arms, the aged fell by the
tomahawk and scalping-knife, and the earth fattened with their blood.
Such was the state of affairs when autumn arrived, and hung out her flag
of many colors from the forest trees over hill and vale, as the sun,
with fiery crest, gilded every forest tree with the glory of the season,
whilst the bold hunter gathered in the ripening fruit to increase his
scanty winter store. The furred animals had now put on their winter
robes, which nature so wisely prepares for their comfort during the
frosts of winter.

Mayall, who styled himself one of that religious sect called Friends, in
order to soothe the fears of his enemies, always hailed them, wherever
he met them, as friends.

Autumn, with him, was the season for rambling and hunting to lay in his
winter store of furs and provisions, and he prepared for a hunting
excursion up the Cherry Valley Creek. The next morning, when the first
rays of light appeared in the east, he was seen to emerge from his cabin
with a knapsack of provisions on his back, a bundle of traps thrown over
his shoulder, powder-horn and bullet-pouch by his side, and his trusty
gun in his hand. Thus equipped, he took an eastward course for the
Cherry Valley Creek. At the head of that creek was the nearest
settlement, where he sometimes went to dispose of his furs and purchase
stores and ammunition, distant from his home about twenty-seven miles.
As soon as he reached the mouth of the stream, which is a tributary of
the Susquehanna, he began to reconnoitre the stream, and set his traps
wherever signs appeared of beaver, animated with the pros