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many large rivers to pass, and with only an imperfect supply of provisions.

Those despatched by this route had to force their way, making their own trail, meeting "swales" and morasses and low ground covered with water, owing to the season of the year. Suffering from cold and hunger they had to swim the greater rivers or make rafts to cross them. The privation and toil were most severe and exhausting, so that many succumbed to these hardships and died.

The boats carrying the troops reached the Niagara portage on the 4th of November, seventeen days after leaving Sandusky. Even then Bradstreet's misfortunes were not complete, for one of the vessels, the snow "Johnson," foundered in sight of Oswego. The men were however saved.

Thus Bradstreet's inglorious expedition, from the commencement to the close, was marked by the folly and incapacity of its commander. Had his misconduct not been remedied by the genius and energy of Bouquet, very great injury would have been inflicted upon British prestige. At the first stage of his expedition, either from his failure to understand his duties, or by the desire to gain distinction for himself alone, he had been duped by a few straggling Indians whose design to deceive him was unworthy an hour's consideration. He abandoned his instructions to follow his own theories, disregarding prudence and expediency. He alienated the Indians to such an extent that Johnson expressed his fears that they would not again be induced to act on the British side, and the provincial officers were alike repelled by his offensive and domineering manner. The expedition furnished one of the many proofs to be read throughout the pages of history,

"The word "swale" may call for explanation. It is in use to denote an undrained track of hard ground, upon which, from its relatively low level, water lies for nearly the entire year. Differing from the morass, in which a pole of some feet in length can be driven by the hand, the "swale," when the water is turned off, becomes firm land, fit for agricultural purposes without any special draining. There is a verb "swale," or "sweal," the meaning of which is, to melt away. What connection it may have with the word in use on the northern American continent, remains a matter for enquiry.

to how great an extent, the success of an enterprise depends on the genius and character of its commander. The failures and triumphs of every age and every country shew how much is owing to the ability, judgment and prescience of one man, who, while organizing his force for the hour of triumph to seize every advantage to attain the end desired, can in the darkest reverse inspire confidence, courage, and that rare quality by which the battle of life in every aspect is won, unflinching endurance. To a mind thus constituted, events however untoward are never overwhelming; they even become subordinate to genius and courage. The plans which have been conceived are modified or widened, in the face of unlooked for misfortune, as prudence and judgment dictate. It is one of the curses of incapacity, that not only the most favourable circumstances are ignored and neglected, but that even the opportunity of certain success is seized in the wrong spirit and at the wrong hour, and misapplied to end in failure and disgrace. No greater example can be furnished of this truth than in the difference of the leadership of Bouquet and Bradstreet, for while the latter was one of disappointment, disgrace and loss, the former presents as brilliant a chapter in the history of the continent as may be found in its annals.

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CHAPTER VII.

It was not until the end of July that the troops furnished by Pennsylvania, one thousand men, could be assembled. On the 5th of August they were at Carlisle, one hundred and eighteen miles west of Philadelphia. They were here received by Bouquet and by governor Penn. The latter addressed them on the crisis in which they were engaged, and appealed to their patriotism and courage, for the zealous performance of their duty. On the 13th the troops reached fort Loudoun, within twenty-eight miles of fort Bedford, from which place the march forward was to commence. The desertions from this force were so continuous, that by this date only seven hundred of the battalions remained. In his difficulty Bouquet appealed to Fauquier, governor of Virginia; in consequence of Fauquier's exertions, a detachment of Virginian volunteers joined the force at fort Pitt. These men not only remained by their colours, but proved most effective in the advance.

Colonel Reid, the second in command, left fort Loudoun on the 16th, with nine hundred horses, cattle and sheep, with an escort of one hundred and fifty regulars and three hundred provincials. Bouquet was to follow him in twelve days. Although Bouquet had disavowed the peace made by Bradstreet, and had written strongly against it to Gage, he kept his opinions secret. He acted, as if he considered that the negotiations were pending, and that he would not interfere with them by any hostile step. He had bestowed great care on the organization of his force, and his march was made with every precaution. His prudence, in leading to the impression that he was equally a dupe with Bradstreet in the promises made at Presqu'île, had its part in enabling him, without interruption to obtain the supplies he required and to march to fort Pitt unopposed.

He arrived there on the 18th of Septem

ber. During the next three days the convoys of captain Ourry and captain Hay joined, everything being in good order, no accident having happened.

A few days before he reached fort Pitt, on his march from Bushy run, Bouquet learned by a letter from colonel Reid, at fort Pitt, that ten Delaware Indians had arrived, among them two known chiefs, captain Pipe and captain Jacob. They stated that they desired to speak to the commandant. An armed bateau was sent to receive them. Captain Pipe alone came over, and with visible reluctance. Pipe's explanations were unsatisfactory. He said that he had heard from the Six Nations that peace was made with Bradstreet, and the Delawares were anxious to know if such was really the case. As no belt was produced and no message ceremoniously delivered, Reid desired him to send for the rest of the party. Five only accepted the invitation, with a white man named Hicks, brother of Gershom Hicks, whom Bouquet, in his correspondence, terms a most atrocious villain. Bouquet at once sent a message desiring Reid to detain them until he came in person.

On Bouquet's arrival at the fort he asked for the attendance of the whole deputation, as he had matters of importance to communicate; the Indians who had, remained on the opposite side refused to cross over to the fort, but declared their readiness to receive any message sent to them where they were. Having lost all hopes of a personal conference, Bouquet resolved to address them in the form they asked, but it was found they had all taken their departure. He accordingly despatched his message by one of the Indians. who had crossed over to the fort, with instructions to return on the 29th of the month with the answer to his demands, and for security he detained the other parties as prisoners.

This document, a declaration of his purpose to attack their villages, set forth that he had received intelligence of their application to Bradstreet for peace, and he would not have formed the purpose of advancing against them if he had not heard that they had violated the engagements they had

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accepted, and had committed several murders. Although resolved to proceed against them as a people whose promises could not be relied upon, he would even, at this hour, give them the opportunity of saving themselves and their families from destruction, if they would render satisfaction for the hostilities they had committed. First: they had to leave the path open for an express to proceed to Detroit. He desired to send two messengers to Bradstreet; he asked for two of the tribe to accompany them and conduct them back in safety. If accident happened to his men going or coming, and the letters sent were taken from them, he would put to death the two chiefs in his power, and would shew no mercy to those falling in his hands. He would allow ten days to go and ten to return. This resolute tone worked its effect; the chiefs saw that the days of trick and evasion were passed, and that they had to accept the terms offered, or fight in a war without quarter, with the leader who a few months carlier had thoroughly defeated them. An entire revulsion of opinion took place among them. There was no longer the demand for war, and the Indian councils were turned entirely to the side of peace. While carrying out his organization to commence his march, on the 2nd of October, two of the Six Nations, an Onondaga and Oneida, came to fort Pitt, and, dwelling upon the old friendship which had long existed between their people and the British, and on the pretence of sympathy and regard, they endeavoured to dissuade Bouquet from proceeding with the expedition. They pointed out the difficulties to be contended against, the large number of the fighting men of the tribes opposed to him, and that the roughness of the thickly wooded country made it difficult to penetrate. Indeed, that the expedition was unnecessary, as the tribes were bringing in prisoners as fast as they could be collected. Bouquet correctly saw that it was an effort to gain time, so as to retard the expedition, until from the lateness of the season it became impracticable, and he gave no heed to their objections.

He simply told those who volunteered this advice to pro