and unwilling that their enemies should occupy any of the military posts
in that quarter, determined to take Fort Schlosser, lying a few miles up
the river from Neagaw, which they expected to effect with but little loss.
Accordingly a detachment of soldiers, sufficiently numerous, as was
supposed, was sent out to take it, leaving a strong garrison in the fort,
and marched off, well prepared to effect their object. But on their way
they were surrounded by the French and Indians, who lay in ambush to
deceive them, and were driven off the bank of the river into a place
called the "Devil's Hole," together with their horses, carriages,
artillery, and every thing pertaining to the army. Not a single man
escaped being driven off, and of the whole number one only was fortunate
enough to escape with his life. [Footnote: For the particulars of that
event, see Appendix, No. 1.] Our Indians were absent but a few days, and
returned in triumph, bringing with them two white prisoners, and a number
of oxen. Those were the first neat cattle that were ever brought to the
Genesee flats.

The next day after their return to Genishau, was set apart as a day of
feasting and frolicing, at the expence of the lives of their two
unfortunate prisoners, on whom they purposed to glut their revenge, and
satisfy their love for retaliation upon their enemies. My sister was
anxious to attend the execution, and to take me with her, to witness the
customs of the warriors, as it was one of the highest kind of frolics ever
celebrated in their tribe, and one that was not often attended with so
much pomp and parade as it was expected that would be. I felt a kind of
anxiety to witness the scene, having never attended an execution, and yet
I felt a kind of horrid dread that made my heart revolt, and inclined me
to step back rather than support the idea of advancing. On the morning of
the execution she made her intention of going to the frolic, and taking me
with her, known to our mother, who in the most feeling terms, remonstrated