their hands to relieve themselves of their burdens. Their assistance being needed in making camp, their bonds were loosened and their packs taken off. Some of the young Indians were ordered to prepare the deer and bring in the venison and Jones was told to go with them. Cheered by a measure of freedom and with the prospect of a supper and willing to show his good will in the matter, he pushed to the front where he found himself by the side of a savage, who, by general assent seemed to be the leader of the party. This warrior was small and lean with short bowed legs. His profile reminded Horatio of a reaping-hook sharpened on the outer edge, but he was wiry and as he moved along there was evidence of muscular power that suggested unusual strength. In fact, in spite of his appearance, he was the fleetest runner among the Senecas, and had been employed as messenger by the officers at Fort Niagara, who jestingly said he ran so swiftly his shins cut the air. He thus became known to the whites as Sharp Shins.*

but

Up to this time Sharp Shins had never been beaten on foot and the Indians had no fear that the captive could escape while the famous runner bore him company; Horatio had no knowledge of the powers of his companion and no other thought than a desire to obtain a supper of meat as speedily as possible. The party set off at a smart run and the white boy quickly took the lead; becoming aware that the captive was in advance Sharp Shins gave a shrill yell drawing the attention of the entire party, and darted forward. Horatio had taken a dislike to the runner and determined not to let him have the satisfaction of winning in the race. Putting forth all his energies he increased the distance between himself and the Indians and reached the carcass of the deer several feet in advance of Sharp Shins. When the attention of the warriors was called to the race by the yell of the runner they shouted their approval, but as the captive gained in the lead it occurred to them that he was attempting to escape and nearly the entire band joined in pursuit. As soon as Horatio halted beside the deer he was surrounded by the excited warriors

* His Seneca name was Ha-ah-ta-o, "He climbs."

who whirled their tomahawks about his head to the consternation of his fellow-prisoners who expected to see him butchered on the spot. Appreciating the gravity of the situation he folded his arms and stood like a statue in the center of a circle of whooping savages. Some one called out in the Indian tongue that the boy was not trying to escape and that he should be praised and not hurt as he had beaten their swiftest runner in a fair race. Satisfied that this was the case the mood of the warriors instantly changed and their demonstrations of delight were unrestrained. Yelling with glee they cut ridiculous capers and cried out, "Hoc-sa-go-wah ha-yah-no-weh; sa-qart-neh-gaha"; ("The handsome boy is a fast runner; he runs like the wind"). Then as if by a common impulse they desired to attest his victory over their comrade they repeated the phrase "Ha-yah-no-weh, ha-yah-no-weh"; ("He is a fast runner; he is a fast runner"). Sharp Shins, amazed at his defeat stood sullenly aside. When his fellow warriors continued to taunt him his rage was beyond control and drawing his tomahawk he rushed furiously at Horatio and attempted to strike him down. The others promptly interposed and Do-eh-saw claiming the captive lad as his personal property, dared the defeated runner to injure him at his peril.

The speed which had been exhibited by Horatio on two occasions convinced them he could distance their fastest runners in a fair race, and they determined to disable him from making a third display of his prowess. They seized him, dragged him roughly back to camp, laid him upon his back, stretched out his legs and arms, tied each with thongs to a separate tree, pinned the thongs closely to the earth with crotched sticks, then drove stakes crosswise over his arms, legs and body. Satisfied that the boy could not move the Indians turned their attention to the carcass of the deer, which was hastily skinned. As before, they gave the intestines to the prisoners, but on dividing the meat a fair portion was allotted each captive except Horatio. At sunset rain set in and fell steadily through the night upon the motionless form of the young ranger,

chilling him through. If an occasional thought of the comfortable home and loving family he had left obtruded itself it was quickly crowded out of his mind by the pains of intense hunger. He could smell the burning flesh as great pieces were thrown upon the hot coals to roast, but the savages did not give him a mouthful. The savory scent tantalized his senses during the long hours of that miserable night. Our frontier boy knew that his existence and future comfort depended entirely upon his fortitude and endurance. He lay without complaint until the dawn of day aroused the camp and the expedition was ready to resume the march. His apparent indifference to his physical sufferings and his manifest good humor when released had their effect upon the warriors. They seemed to think they had been too severe with him and in some measure to atone for their unnecessary cruelty they gave him a substantial breakfast of venison and permitted him to dry his clothes and warm himself by the fire. Upon resuming the march they permitted him to walk unbound, and by and by relieved him of his pack. Horatio was satisfied he owed these indulgences to his captor Do-eh-saw and determined to show his gratitude in every way he could. During the day he kept close to him and sought to win his confidence.

In order to secure captives at night the Indians usually made a rude sort of stocks by cutting down a tree and hacking notches a few inches in depth along the fallen trunk. Prisoners were then compelled to place their ankles in the notches. A pole was put on the tree trunk above them and fastened down tight with cross stakes driven into the ground. A second and heavier pole was laid in the V formed by the cross sticks. In addition a cord was passed over the bodies of the victims and under several Indians at each end. Horatio was left unbound that night when the other prisoners were secured.

He crept closely to Do-eh-saw and encouraged by a friendly smile lay quietly down by him. Thereafter he slept always by that warrior's side. He began to look upon Doeh-saw as a trusty friend and protector. He soon became convinced that as long as he kept up with the rest in the

march and made no effort to escape he had little reason to fear immediate danger from the party. From the hour he was relieved of his own pack he helped Johnson, who was over sixty years of age, with his, and frequently availed himself of his own freedom of action to assist other comrades less able than himself to endure fatigue.

From the Sinnemahoning Creek the war-party crossed the country to the Tioga River and followed that stream to the mouth of the Cohocton, on their homeward journey. Here they decided to halt for a few days' rest. The camping place was known as Da-ne-ne-ta-quen-deh, "where two valleys come together."* Here several principal Indian trails. crossed and it was frequented by Indians journeying east, west, north and south. Several wigwams were located near the river and there were many cultivated fields about. A huge post painted in a fantastic manner to represent an enemy stood in the open. When war parties halted at the camp they usually held brag dances about the post. Any one could brag and dance after making a small present to the "master of ceremonies," usually the head warrior. The proceeds were a benefit for the whole party.

After their arrival the Genesee warriors proposed to hold a dance on the second evening. Large fires were started to give light, and Indians, British and prisoners, gathered in a great circle about the post. Most of the audience sat or lay on the ground smoking pipes, some Indians on one side beating a small drum and shaking rattles, occasionally accompanying the instruments with monotonous vocal exercises which were anything but inspiring to the white prisoners. The dancer advanced to the post, pranced about it, and addressed it as though the thing were a real enemy. Recounting in a loud voice the history of his personal achievements, the braggart danced or rather mimicked the motions of the act described, derided his imaginary foe in

*This was a descriptive term applied to other similar localities and had no local significance with Painted Post. It was also applied to the present location of Bath, and Dr. Lewis H. Morgan renders it "Do-na-ta-ta gwen-da," "Opening in an opening." Horatio Jones narrated these facts about Painted Post to Orlando Allen. The first white settlers found the post and named the place Painted Post, now Erwin, Steuben Co., N. Y.

unmeasured terms, then striking the post with his tomahawk retired amid loud applause. When the scenes of the Juniata Valley were rehearsed by the savage participants and the scalps of the murdered rangers were paraded before the survivors, all their courage was needed to prevent an outbreak of their rage. Prudence forbade any show of feeling, and hiding their resentment they sat quietly among the crowd of Indians and British until the hateful ceremonies ended.

From the hour of his capture Horatio had worn the belt of wampum placed about his neck by his captor, who had cautioned him not to lose it nor permit any person to remove it. He perceived that he was treated more leniently than his comrades were and could not but think that the belt ci wampum was in some way connected with the preference. Do-eh-saw understood and could speak the English language fairly well but he was taciturn with Jones; however he was good-natured and frankly answered questions. As time passed on and the young protegé grew in favor the Indian became somewhat communicative. While the warparty lay at the painted post, Horatio ventured to ask for an explanation from the chief. Do-eh-saw told him that an Indian mother had sent out the belt to secure for herself from among the prisoners taken the youngest to be a son to her in place of her own boy, lost in a recent foray, and accordingly he was to be given to the woman after they reached the Seneca village; that his interest in Horatio was accepted by the warriors and that they all looked upon the young captive as one of their own people; hence he need have no fear of being ill-treated upon the journey. But Do-eh-saw also told him that it was the custom of the Indians to "caress" all captives brought to their villages; in other words the inhabitants vented their spite by beating the prisoners and many times taking their lives. This was a rule and no male prisoner was exempt, as it afforded those who had been left at home a chance to vent their vindictiveness upon their enemies. Even if his captor adopted him he could not save him from the perils of the gauntlet as it was considered a test of the victim's courage and endurance.