manded another trial and was again placed carefully upon the ground. Greatly astonished the warrior insisted upon a third trial in which all his strength was exerted to overcome the young wrestler. Jones now brought into play an unexpected movement, called the hip-lock, throwing the warrior heavily to the earth. Stung by the shouts of the spectators and in pain from the shock, the Indian jumped up exclaiming fiercely, 'You hurt me; I kill you.' Running for his hatchet he quickly returned with the uplifted weapon. Horatio stood motionless, and as the Indian cautiously approached addressed him thus: 'Cousin, this was a trial of strength and you challenged me. I was the victor, but if my cousin thinks me worthy of death, here I am.' The Indian hesitated a moment, then threw away the hatchet, and approached with outstretched hands in token of friendship. This display of unflinching courage rendered the Seneca warrior a life-long friend."

VII. HORATIO'S TRIP FOR THE TRADER.

In the early spring of 1782 an English trader came from Fort Niagara to the Genesee with a stock of clothes and trinkets. As Hoc-sa-go-wah was generally called upon to act as interpreter in transactions between the whites and Indians, the trader engaged his services. The goods sold rapidly and finding that he could still do a good business the trader concluded to replenish his stock. During his intercourse with the young interpreter he had become convinced that the latter was trustworthy, and in fact the only person he knew upon whom he could rely; accordingly he made a proposition to Horatio to go to Niagara and bring back a large package of goods, offering as a reward for the labor an entire suit of clothes, consisting of a blanket, coat, shirt, leggins, and colored head-dress, with some silver ornaments in addition. Jones at that time was permitted to go and come as he pleased in the vicinity of Caneadea, and as the offer was too

* Sketch of Jones by Hon. Norman Seymour of Mt. Morris.

tempting to be declined he agreed to start as soon as he could make the necessary preparations. Hastening home he entered the house, shouting "Noh-yeh, noh-yeh!" ("Mother, mother!") "Go-a-wak, go-a-wak," ("My son, my son,”) returned the good woman, pausing a moment in her work to smile at the impetuous youth and learn the cause of his excitement. Horatio eagerly explained the proposition of the trader and his own agreement to go after the goods, without a thought that the arrangement would be otherwise than pleasing to his family. To his astonishment the smile gave place to an expression of grave disapproval and when he had finished she sternly refused her consent, telling Horatio he was not mature and was not strong enough to carry a large pack such a distance; besides, she said, if he went to Niagara alone among the white people he would not return and she would never see him again. In vain he promised and argued; she would not listen and positively forbade him to leave home.

Seeing her so resolute he apparently accepted her decision as final and cheerfully started upon some slight mission she required. Being quite as stubborn as his Indian mother he determined to go at any cost. During the day he informed the trader of the state of affairs and received from the latter an order upon the post-sutler at Niagara for the goods wanted. Later he removed his rifle and equipments to a hiding place in the woods, managed to secure some bread and rested as much as possible during the day. At night Horatio retired at an early hour and apparently soon fell asleep; he however watched the tardy movements of the other members of his family until all were wrapped in sound slumber. Then he stole quietly into the forest, secured his arms and food and started on the trail for Buffalo Creek.

The path ran northwest over the summit that divides the waters of the Genesee River from those of Lake Erie; fell into the valley of Cattaraugus Creek, passed over into the valley of the west branch of Buffalo Creek and followed the general course of that stream to the Seneca settlement at the junction of the branch with the main stream four miles from its mouth on Lake Erie. Having been over the trail with

the fishing party the young captive was familiar with the route. He had no fear of meeting any one during the night and as there was sufficient light to enable him to see the path quite plainly he started at a rapid pace; but as daylight approached he turned aside into a dense thicket at a bend of the path. Here on a bed of dry pine needles he reclined in such a manner that he could see the trail for a distance each way without danger of being discovered himself by persons on the road. After eating his simple meal and placing his arms ready for instant use he stretched out his weary limbs and fell asleep. Being awakened late in the afternoon by the sound of voices, he looked forth from his concealment and saw two Indians approaching over the trail by which he had come. He recognized them at once and knew they were in pursuit of him.

It had been his intention to abandon the regular path for the rest of the day and to travel parallel with and at such a distance from it as to avoid being seen, but as the pursuers were now in advance he had no further fear of being overtaken. An hour after the Indians passed he resumed his journey on the main trail. Traveling through the lonely forest all that night, he crossed several streams and avoiding Indian camps near the end of Lake Erie, passed over the present site of Buffalo on the trail running down the east side of the Niagara River. As he was again in advance of his pursuers, probably, he halted for a brief rest and ate his breakfast. Resuming the march by daylight he fortunately reached the crossing of Tonawanda Creek without encountering a human being. As the route was much traveled a canoe was usually kept at this point for general use as a ferry. Finding the canoe on the east side Horatio hastily paddled across the stream, secured the boat, hastened onward two or three miles and again turned aside at a place where he could rest and at the same time look out without himself being observed. As he munched his coarse brown bread he soberly considered the situation. At the point where he lay the trail turned nearly west following the curve of the Niagara River to Fort Schlosser, a few miles further on. He knew that Indians in greater or less numbers were

almost constantly encamped at Schlosser and he feared that some of them might annoy or detain him, if he kept the usual road.

By waiting a few hours he would get a much-needed rest and possibly be able to pass Schlosser unobserved in the darkness; but even if he were successful the delay might bring his pursuers upon him. He now decided upon a movement that illustrates his courage and self-reliance in taking risks to accomplish desired ends. Up to this point he had depended upon the regular Indian paths for his course, but he now decided to take a straight cut through the wilderness to Fort Niagara. To his great joy after several hours of travel he came out upon the portage road not far from the crest of the mountain ridge near the present village of Lewiston. Stepping into the well-beaten path he walked to the mouth of the river, some eight or nine miles, boldly entered the fort, presented his order, received his goods, obtained some bread and hurried back into the forest. Not daring to take the open trail on the return journey and 'encouraged by the success of his first venture Horatio again ventured through the woods, taking a course further east that avoided the river trail and led him to the crossing of Buffalo Creek, where he resumed the regular path to the Genesee. In due time he arrived safely with his heavy load. This had been a difficult, lonely journey of about 100 miles through a gloomy wilderness. Yet Horatio experienced no exultation beyond a thought of satisfaction at the probability of securing greater liberty in his future movements. The trader, receiving his goods, at once paid the carrier his well-earned reward. Horatio arrayed himself in his new clothes and marched proudly home. His mother was delighted at his return and his other relatives were loud in their expressions of welcome; his arrival in advance of the runners sent to bring him back convinced them of his sincerity.

Accepting the greetings with good-nature Horatio improved the opportunity to impress upon the minds of all that he had no desire to return to the settlements of the whites but wished to remain with the red men if they would permit

him the rights and privileges to which the other young men of the nation were entitled. Thereafter his family accorded him their full confidence, permitting him to come and go unquestioned; but he was conscious that others maintained secret watch upon his actions.

VIII. VAN CAMPEN'S CAPTURE AND ESCAPE.

Among those whose lives were intimately associated with Horatio Jones was Moses Van Campen,* who was born in 1757 in Hunterdon Co., New Jersey. Soon after his birth the family moved to Northampton Co., Pennsylvania, and located on the Delaware River; but in 1773, in company with a brother they moved to Northumberland Co., to the present town of Orange, about eight miles above the mouth of Fishing Creek. This stream enters the north branch of the Susquehanna, near the present town of Rupert, Columbia Co., the Fishing Creek country being one of the points where were the earliest settlements of the North Branch.

The Indian trail from the West Branch to Nescopeck crossed the divide several miles above Jerseytown, and an Indian town was located where Lycoming, Montour, and Columbia counties meet. Even after the whites began to occupy the soil in considerable numbers the savages clung tenaciously to that region which had been a favorite hunting ground. Among the pioneers of the Lower Fishing Creek were James McClure, Thomas Clayton, Peter Melick, Joseph Wheeler, Joseph Salmon, the Van Campens, Aikmans, McHenrys and others whose names have long been conspicuous in history.

"In 1775, two years subsequent to the advent of the Van

* "Life of Moses Van Campen" by J. N. Hubbard, B. A., Dansville, N. Y., 1842; revised and re-published at Fillmore, N. Y., in 1893 by John S. Minard; Also "Petition of Van Campen to Congress" with affidavits of Horatio Jones; Bates' "History of Columbia Co., Pa.," by C. F. Hill, Hazelton, Pa.; Stone's "Life of Brant," Sims' "History of Schoharie Co." and "Pioneers of the Genesee Valley."