than the French) could riot he hrohght to agree
with the latter, it was determined to postpone
coming to a conclusion until the party »should
arrive#! the spot where the two routes separate,
the one. loading to Orange, and the other to
Corlear (Schenectady)^; In the codrse of the
journey, which occupied eight days, the Frenchmen
judged proper to diverge- towards Corlear^
according to the advice of the Indians j and this
road was taken without calling a new council.
Nine days more -elapsed before they arrived,
having experienced inconceivable difficulties,
and having been obliged to march up to their
knees in water, and to break the ice with, their
feet, in order to find a solid footing.
« They arrived within two leagues of Corlear
about four o’clock in theevening, andwCrethere
harangued by the great Agniez, the chief of the
Iroquois from the Sault. He urged on all to
perform their duty, and to lose all recollections
of their fatigue, in the hope of taking ample
reyenge forthe injuries which they hadirfeeived
from the Mohawks at the solicitation of the
English, androf washing Memseives in the blood
of the traitors. This savage was, without contradiction,
the most, considerable of his tribe ;
an honest man ; as full of spirit, prudence and
generosity as it was possible, and capable at the
same time of the grandest undertakings. Bhortly
after, four squaws were discoy^rpd in a wigwam,
who gavf every information .iiecessary for tile
attack on the town. The fire fjppnd in this hut
servdd to warm those who were benumbed, and
they continued their route, having previously
detached Giguieres) a Canadian, with nine Indians,
on the look out. They discovered no
obey and returned fo-join the main body within
one leagues éf Corlear.
/ “ m m m of the'.clock that night, they came
within sight of the town, resolved to defer the
assault until two o’clock of the- morning. But
the excessive cold admitted of no further delay.
; “ Thé town of Corlear forpas a Sort of oblong
square, with only two gates; one opposite the
road we had taken; the? other leading to Orange,
which is only six leagues!distant. Messieurs de
Saintè Helene and de Mantet were to enter at
the first, which the sqüaws pointed out, and
which in fact was found wide open. Messieurs
d’Iberville and de Montesson took the left, with
another, detachment, in order to make them-
sejyes masters of that leading to Orange. But
they could not discover it, and; returned to join
the remainder of the party. A profound silence
was every where obsbilèd, until the two commanders)
who separated,rnt their entrance into
the town, for the purpose of encircling it, had
met at the other extremity. The wild Indian
war-hoop was then raised; and the entire force
rushed simultaneously to the attack. M. de
Mantet placed himself at the Head of a detachment,
and reached a small fort where the garrison
was under amis. The gate was burst in after