Our Pioneers

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PREFACE.

war.

IVILIZATION is a war-a war of light with dark.

ness; of truth with falsehood; of the illuminated

intellect and the rectified heart with the barbarism of ignorance and the animalism of the savage.

The present work portrays a single phase of this sublime conflict. It recounts one of the thousand campaigns of this

It is an attempt to condense into a single volume, and give an adequate literary expression to, the thrilling history of the struggle between the White man and the Red man for the possession of this continent. It is also intended to be a mennorial to a race of heroes. Other countries have esteemed their earliest heroes as worthy of the song of the poet and the praise of the historian. With us the deeds of our fathers are as yet unsung, and their very names are fading from our 'memory

The author has aimed to make this book not only historical, but realistic. It is a truthful account of actual events, gathered from a vast mass of authorities. Yet the design has been pictorial rather than geometrical. The author has sought rather to paint a picture than to make a map. In the execution of this purpose he has been, nobly seconded by the PUBLISHERS, who have spared neither trouble nor expense to procure for him rare and valuable authorities. The large collections of the public libraries of the country were found inadequate, and booksellers from Boston to San Antonio have been called upon for books difficult of access.

To the vast number of painstaking and truthful writers from whom the author has thus drawn his facts, and perchance even the expression of them, an obligation exists for which no adequate return can be made. The author also takes this opportunity to express his deep obligations to PROFESSOR John CLARK RIDPATH, the eminent historian, to whose generous aid he is indebted for suggestions, as well as for additions to the narrative. A similar recognition is due to Hon. HENRY A. RATTERMANN, whose unequaled library of rare books on American Pioneer History-especially that part relating to the settlement of the Ohio Valley,—has furnished valuable data for this volume, without which much that is interesting would have been lost to these pages.

. The liberality of the PUBLISHERS has extended not merely to the procurement of literary materials, but has also enriched the book with a collection of artistic engravings in every way worthy of the topic. Supplemented as his own efforts have been by these powerful and generous aids, it is not without confidence that the work is submitted to the public.

A. L. M.

DEER PARK, MARYLAND.

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THE LEGEND OF POWHATAN.

Captain John Smith-His adventures in Turkey - Three single combats and as

many victories, Prisoner of a princess-Her suspicious brother-Escape—The

Jamestown Colony-Smith, sticking in a quagmire, is captured by Indians-Poca-

hontas, the king's daughter-She saves Smith's life and makes a pet of him-Follies

of the colony-Coronation of Powhatan-Smith's fight with the big Indian-

Starvation-A meal of powdered wife-Betrayal and capture of Pocahontas-Rolfe

in love—The marriage and death of the Indian princess-Smith's hobbies-He dies

neglected and in want....

...Pages 33-81

CHAPTER II.

THE TRIALS OF LA SALLE.

The greatest French explorer-His saint-like predecessor, Marquette-A grave

in a wilderness—La Salle's ambition-Life in the fort-Building The Griffin-Up

the lakes-Loss of The Griffin-La Salle journeys on foot from the Ilinois to Mon-

treal-Bankruptcy and ruin—Tonty's six gifts, and their significance—The second

attempt-Down the Mississippi --The fort on “Starved Rock”—The simpleton of

Versailles-French reënforcements-Four vessels set sail from France for the

Delta of the Mississippi—Shipwreck of them all-Lost in a Texan wilderness-

Suffering and treachery-La Salle attempts to reach the Illinois-His assassina-

tion.....

Pages 82-123

CHAPTER III.

ROGERS' RANGERS.
Captain Rogers-His fierce scouts-Their exploits on Lake George-English
scalps worth sixty francs—The Rangers on skates give chase to nine sleds on the
ice-A fearful race–The triumph of men over brutes-Fort William Henry-

A debauch on Saint Patrick's Eve-Saved by the Rangers, Burning of the fort-

An awful battle-Two-thirds of the Rangers killed-Rogers' leap-Lost in a wilder-

ness of snow-An insane guide—The St. Francis expedition-A two hundred mile

march-An Indian wedding feast-Destruction of the village. ....... Pages 126-149

CHAPTER IV.

THE AMBITION OF PONTIAC.

The mighty chieftain of the Ottawas—The conspiracy-Council of infernal

peers—The plot at Detroit-Warned by an Indian girl-Guns hidden under blan-

kets-Foiled-Presque Isle-An Indian mine-Fire and sword—Surrender of the

haggard garrison-Michillimackinac—The game of ball-Success of the stratagem--

Butchery of the garrison—The trader Henry's adventures-Hidden in a garret-

Discovered—A friend in need-Carried away-The siege of Detroit-A vast fire.