nigher way, in which you will be better supplied with provisions, and can travel with less fatigue and more safety.
"Easton, October 23d, 1758."
To which I added, "Brethren, I take you by this string,[1] by the hand, and lift you from this place, and lead you along to the general."
After which they consulted among themselves, and soon resolved to go with me. We shook hands with each other, and Mr. Hays immediately set out with them; after which, having with some difficulty procured a fresh horse, in the king's service, I set off about noon with captain Bull; and when we came to Conrad Weiser's plantation, we found Pisquetomen lying on the ground very drunk,[2] which obliged us to stay there all night; the other Indians were gone eight miles farther on their journey.
28th.—We rose early, and I spoke to Pisquetomen a great deal; he was very sick, and could hardly stir; when we overtook the rest, we found them in the same condition; and they seemed discouraged, from going the way to the general; and wanted to go through the woods. I told them, I was sorry to see them wavering, and reminded them, that when I went to their towns, I was not sent to the French, but when your old men insisted on my going to them, I followed their advice, and went; and as the general is, in the king's name, over the provinces, in
- ↑ A string of wampum beads. Nothing of importance is said, or proposed without wampum.—[C. T.?]
- ↑ The Indians, having learned drunkenness of the white people, do not reckon it among the vices. They all, without exception, and without shame, practice it when they can get strong liquor. It does not, among them, hurt the character of the greatest warrior, the greatest counsellor, or the modestest matron. It is not so much an offence, as an excuse for other ofences; the injuries they do each other in their drink being charged, not upon the man, but upon the rum.—[C. T. ?]
