was short but desperate. The Six
Nations, posted on the flanks of the English line, fought
valiantly, and, largely owing to their valour, the French
were put to rout. On the same day Pouchot capitulated.
By this success the chain of French forts stretching from
the St Lawrence to Louisiana was snapped near the middle.
Although Brant's deeds have not been recorded, it is
stated on good authority that he was with Sir William
Johnson on this occasion and that he bore himself with
marked distinction.

CHAPTER III

SCHOOLDAYS AND AFTER

Through the storm and stress of these campaigns, the eyes
of the Mohawks were upon Joseph Brant. They expected much
of him, and he earnestly tried to fulfil their hopes.
Still in his teens, he was already a seasoned warrior,
having 'fought with Death and dulled his sword.' The
Mohawks were pleased. Let a few more autumns strew the
carpet of the forest, and they would have in him a brave
and robust leader worthy of their tradition. Joseph, on
the other hand, was dissatisfied. He had lived and communed
with white men and had come to know a greatness that was
not to be won by following the war-path. He had wielded
the tomahawk; he had bivouacked among armed men on the
field of battle: now he was eager for the schoolroom. He
wished to widen his knowledge and to see the great world
that lay beyond the rude haunts of the red men.

Joseph was in this frame of mind when an Indian with the
very English name of David Fowler came to Fort Johnson.
Fowler was on a long journey from his home by the sea
and rode on horseback. He had something to relate, he
said, that was of significance for the Indian people. At
Lebanon, in the colony of Connecticut, there was an
institution for the education of any young redskin who
might be able to come, and he had been sent by Doctor
Eleazar Wheelock, its principal, to gather recruits.
Addressing Sir William Johnson, he asked him if there
were among the Six Nations Indians any lads whom he should
like to send to the school.

Sir William was not slow to act. Joseph Brant, the pride
of Canajoharie Castle, thirsting for knowledge, must
surely go. Two other boys, named Negyes and Center, were
chosen to accompany him. These were 'three boys,' as Dr
Wheelock afterwards wrote, 'who were willing to leave
their friends and country, and come among strangers of
another language and quite another manner of living, and
where, perhaps, none of their nation, then li