ABSTRACT
The Indians having, by this barbarous massacre and robbery, obtained a su - ciency of provisions to last them the remainder of their journey; and having now no enemy between them and home, set forward on their return with the utmost spirits and alacrity. However cruel and irreconcileable they are to their enemies, they do yet possess many great virtues, among which truth and hospitality are not the least. An Indian will never deceive you, unless he has been himself rst deceived: and indeed,/ excepting in the instance of cruelty to enemies, and the insatiable desire of revenge, whatever other vices now deform their character are chie y owing to the corruptions introduced among them by their intercourse with the Whites, and by no means to their natural disposition, which is open, generous, friendly, and sincere. Poor Edward derived much advantage from this temper in Awattahowee, who having once conceived and expressed a friendship for him, was incapable of being moved from it, unless by some unworthiness on Edward’s part – a defect which we need not apprehend. e age of this young Indian was much the same as Edward’s; and, bating that ferocity in war which the prejudices of their education make them esteem a virtue, he had a heart no ways unworthy even of a Christian bosom. From his rst observation of Edward’s rmness he had conceived a good opinion of him, and thought he would not be unworthy of becoming an Indian/ warrior – a character which, in his estimation, was the highest to which human nature could attain. To exalt Edward into this, if possible, was the intention of Awattahowee, and even to ingra him into his own family. He had a sister, one year older than himself, who in her native town was generally esteemed a beauty, and who had been married to a young warrior of a very distinguished family: but he, like Adonis of old, had unfortunately lost his life in hunting a few months before, and le his widow big with her rst child. e wish of Awattahowee was, that Edward might be pleasing in her sight, and that she would adopt him in the room of her beloved lord Onondoga, in which case he would succeed to all his rights, and even to his name. And indeed, considering Edward’s gure, and the alternative on his part of being burned to death, if no head of a family should adopt him, there were good hopes of his not being disappointed./
With these friendly dispositions therefore towards Edward, and with the outward testimonies of them which he shewed him, o en easing him of his burthen, and sharing with him his beloved brandy, it would have been unnatural, as well as ungenerous, if no return of sympathy could be excited in his breast, notwithstanding his abhorrence of shedding innocent blood, with which he knew Awattahowee was deeply stained. But the guilt of an action depends upon the knowledge and intentions of him who commits it: and when we consider Awattahowee’s education and national prejudices, notwithstanding what we have seen, we cannot pronounce him unworthy of Edward’s gratitude. Be that as it may, he certainly obtained it; and Ned now felt comfort from that very presence which but a few days before chilled him with horror. Poor Doran too, and the young American, partook of Indian bounty; but the venerable head that stood most in need of it was the only one to/ whom it was denied. He had killed an Indian, and was besides guilty of the unpardonable crime of being old. He was therefore devoted to vengeance: and if they did not torture him to death upon the spot, it was only that they might feast the eyes of their nation with his sacri- ce when they got home. Seventeen days did they march through the wilderness, before the lake of Agigua made its appearance; on the borders of which, and of the river which runs from it, the towns of their tribe are situated. is joyful prospect was soon announced with singing and dancing, not forgetting a double portion of brandy, and some new indignity to the unhappy Joseph Atkins.
