marry among them could pacify and, though they should be sorry for my leaving them, they had better consent to that than have a greater sorrow to lament.

Having been nearly four months among them, my curiosity was completely satisfied, and I was rather glad of an excuse for quitting them; but I could not agree to go away secretly, observing that I came openly and without fear, and so I would return; that, if any owed me ill will, they must declare the cause; and, if I did not clear myself to the satisfaction of the elders, I' would abide their decision or meet my enemy openly; but that I could not steal away as if afraid.

It was at last settled that I should publicly declare my intentions of returning, and request. guides. This was done, and two of my old friends said they would see me safe to Albany." Our route was laid down, and we set off on an afternoon to travel a short distance, where we were to sleep the first night.

On the morning after we set off, turning out of the wigwam which I had slept in, I was surprized to see the young squaw who had formerly cautioned me. She came to inform me that the two Indians had a design to way-lay me at some distance and revenge themselves upon me when my guides would not suspect danger. She had watched and secretly over heard them; and, after seeing them set off early in the night, had

followed us to acquaint me of the danger. My friends promised to keep her secret, or she would be murdered, and, taking a different route, we neither saw nor heard any more of them.

It may be asked, what was my aim in this wild undertaking? Simply a romantic curiosity, and to gratify a strong desire I had to see and examine human nature in every possible shape, from the savage to the highest state of civilised society. I had heard that the completest state of independence and consequent rational happiness was with the savage: and that those, who, from necessity or choice, had lived a sufficient time with them to obtain an active hardihood and strength to bear their fatigues, would experience so high a relish and enjoyment of perfect independence as never more to wish to submit to the slavery of civilized life. To this it may possibly be objected, that I did not stay a sufficient time to warrant my deciding contrary to the generally conceived opinion. I can only say, I continued long enough to satisfy myself that this boasted independent state of nature has infinitely fewer rational enjoyments, with greater difficulties and hardships from incertitude and laborious exertions, attended with frequent alarms and danger. Their enjoyments are very little, if at all, superior to those of the wild animals they hunt, and their troubles I conceive to be much greater. Let those, who think other

wise, take a longer spell at living with these copper-coloured heroes, of Nature's pure unadulterated rearing and educating.

While I was with them, I was well reconciled to their modes and manners by the novelty, and by my desire to seek that knowledge which was not to be obtained so well any other way. I believe few would be better received or attended to than I was; yet, at no one moment, during my abode with them, did I wish to make the exchange of civilised for savage independ

ence.

This was my opinion at that time, 1766, in the pride of my youth, with powers of exertion equal to most, and long before the change of American independence took place, when the Aborigines, or native Indians, lived more comfortably than they, as well as the Anglo-Americans do now, and it will be seen in its place, when I again visited the American Indians as well as the English Americans, after an absence of more than thirty years, by which I was able to draw the better comparison between the former and present situation of both, that the former have exchanged the intrepid spirit of independence which they then possessed, and which was their solitary claim to admiration, (shewn by their aspiring elevated tread, rising almost on tip-toe, with their heads as erect as possible,) for an appearance nearly the reverse.

Of the tribes that I formerly saw, many are extinct: the few that remain are comparatively abject wretches; their haughty crests are fallen, they have become dependant for the sake of spirituous liquors, which quickly enervate and destroy them, nor have they a single comfortable trait of civilization in exchange. I am convinced that those Indians, now remaining on the Atlantic side of the Allegany Mountains, are considerably more ignorant than they were, except, indeed, they have been taught some additional vices.

Farther remarks on the general character of the Indians I shall leave to the account of my last journey to the back-country; and shall only observe, that the Anglo-Americans appear to have exchanged real sweets with nominal bitters, for real bitters with nominal sweets, which I may possibly explain more hereafter.

CHAPTER XX.

Peaceable times; disbanded sea-officers at a loss what to do; my relation volunteers with Count Orlow; accept a military appointment for India, commence soldier; the King of Den-.. mark at the Tower; a crowded theatre.

HAVING thus far satisfied my savage cravings, I re-crossed the Atlantic and was at home time enough to rejoice with my friend on his release.. from sa long a durance.

I now made a long stay on shore; the general' theme, at that time, was General Paoli and the brave Corsicans. When I was very near embarking with my relation, Lieutenant Dugdale, to tender our services to that celebrated chief; and, but for my hesitating on account of former connections in Italy, as a point of honour, lest any thing should arise to disturb the peace of a: family I much loved, we should certainly have gone thither.

B, likewise, though so richly allied, was nearly as distressed and destitute of employ as ourselves. He would not comply with what his father and friends wished him to do, and they refused to supply his extravagancies. A length of discreditable confinement, they thought, might