eal, and conveying a body of pale-faced warriors, under
the command of one whose hair was white and whose face was seamed with
scars, entered the mouth of the Oswego[A]. This petty armament was
joined at the beginning of the following season of sleep by a great
number of canoes that contained the traders, artizans, and labourers,
with their families, together with such tools and utensils as had been
deemed necessary for the commencement of a new settlement, which it
was the design of the chief of the strangers to establish on the south
side of Lake Ontario. They brought with them, besides a great quantity
of provisions, the usual articles wherewith to traffic with the
possessors of the soil. The Oswego--as my red brothers know--is
principally formed by the confluence of the outlets of those numerous
lesser lakes that diversify and adorn the vast space of country that
lies between the Great Ocean and the Lake of Storms[B]. Its course is
northward, and, after whirling and foaming along the narrow and
obstructed channel that nature seems to have grudgingly lent for its
passage, it finds repose in the small harbour bearing its name, which
mingles its contributions with the placid but mighty waters of the
west.

[Footnote A: Rapid river.]

[Footnote B: Lake Superior.]

On the eastern part of this harbour, and on a site sufficiently
elevated to command its entrance, this party of daring adventurers
began to construct a defence against the attacks of your race. Before
the frosts of winter had robbed the surrounding forest of its foliage,
or compelled the wild-duck to seek a retreat in the secluded waters of
the warm south, or the deer had gathered to their couch of leaves in
the thicket, a rude but effectual barrier to hostile attack was raised
and completed. The intervening summer had been passed by the artisans
and labourers, not only in the building of the fortress, but in the
erection of such cabins and lodging-places for warriors within its
enclosure, as were deemed requisite for the protection of its inmates
from the piercing winds, and cold rains, and chilling frosts, of
winter. In the mean time the traders had been diligently and
successfully employed in exchanging their beads and trinkets, their
knives, blankets, and strong waters, with the men of the adjacent
woods, for fish and venison to supply the immediate wants of the
warriors, and furs and skins to send to the land of their birth. The
Indians, with whom thi