The greater part of the force opposing the Americans at this time were Indians. They considered they had great grievances against the invading army and were desirous of massacring the men who had fallen into their hands, but Brant opposed such a course and succeeded in saving the prisoners.

cause.

In the following year Brant carried the war into the enemy's country along the Susquehanna, and won many Indians to the support of the English General Herkimer of the "Continental" army had an interview with him and endeavored to get him to at least remain neutral, but Brant would not listen to the pleadings of his old friend, and declared that he would remain faithful to his king. For a time his forces were joined with those of General John Butler and Sir John Johnson, and he likewise led 300 warriors in the expedition under General St. Ledger against Fort Stanwix.

Upon que occasion General St. Ledger learned from Molly Brant of the approach of a rebel army under General Herkimer. An ambuscade was formed and the enemy fell into the hands of Captain Brant and his Indians. A thunder storm arose and prevented the destruction of the entire force. This was the celebrated battle of Oriskany, a battle claimed as a victory by both the English and the rebels. In 1778 Brant was once more on the Susquehanna and his name became the terror of the settlers living in that region. He was recognized by his enemies as a powerful warrior who rarely failed in an enterprise and his name was associated with many barbarous deeds of which he was not guilty. American historians have done him grave injustice and the English poet Campbell in his Gertrude of Wyoming speaks of him as "the monster Brant." "the accursed Brant" on account of the part he is supposed to have taken in the massacre of Wyoming, but Brant took no part in the massacre and was not even present when it occurred. The truth with regard to Brant is that on the whole he was most humane and on numerous occasions went out of his way to save the lives of prisoners who had fallen into the hands of his savage followers.

On one of his raids he captured, among other prisoners, Captain Jeremiah Snyder who has given us the following interesting description of this renowned Indian: "He was a likely fellow of a fierce aspect, tall

and rather spare, well spoken and apparently about forty years of age. He wore moccasins, elegantly trimmed with beads-leggings and breech-cloth of superfine blue-short green coat, with two silver epaulets, and a small, laced, round hat. By his side hung an elegant silver-mounted cutlass, and his blanket of blue cloth, purposely dropped on the chair in which he sat, to display his epaulets, was gorgeously decorated with border of red."

Until the end of the Revolutionary war Brant played a conspicuous part in the border raids to the north and west of Albany, and when the treaty of peace with the United States was signed in 1783, he found himself without a home. The appearance of the Mohawk valley was that of "a widespread, heart-sickening and universal desolation." When the war terminated the Mohawks had a temporary resting-place where Lewiston now stands on the American side of the Niagara river. The Senecas offered them lands in their country, but Brant and the Mohawks "were determined to sink or swim with the English." The Chieftain proceeded to Quebec and secured a tract of land on the Bay of Quinte, but this was unsatisfactory to the tribe, and the Grand River was finally chosen for the home of the Mohawks and others of the Six Nations in Canada. In order to have his people settled to the best advantage, Brant decided to visit England, and arrived in London in December, 1785. He was received with even greater enthusiasm than on his first visit, and, on account of the important part he had taken in the Revolutionary war, was entertained by those in authority and introduced to the king.

Indians, as a rule, are lacking in a sense of humor, but on one occasion Brant showed himself capable of appreciating a practical joke. practical joke. He was at a fancy-dress ball, but unlike the other guests, was without a mask. He went in his dress as a chieftain and warrior, painted, his plumes nodding in his head-dress and his tomahawk at his belt. Another of the guests, struck with his appearance, in a playful manner reached forth his hand and took hold of the nose of what he doubtless thought to be a mask. Brant saw the fun of the situation, seized his tomahawk and, brandishing it over the head of the individual who had taken such a liberty with his person, sent forth a blood-curdling war-whoop, such as was never heard before or since in an

English ball-room. It is said that many of the guests left the room in fright. but when the matter was explained they returned, and the evening proved all the more enjoyable for this extraordinary incident.

When Brant returned to Canada from England in 1786, he at once began to put forth strenuous efforts to build up a prosperous nation on the banks of the Grand River. He had led his warriors successfully in battle, and he was now anxious in time of peace to civilize them. To this end he had a church erected, the first church built in the Province of Upper Canada. Difficulties soon arose between the Indians and the government with regard to the disposal of the Indian lands. These lands they could hold and use, but could not deed them away without the consent of the government— a very wise condition, as time has proved. This Brant looked upon as an injustice, and while he remained the strong friend of the English, stood by the Indians in their contention with regard to their rights over the soil. A proclamation was issued forbidding the sale or leasing of their lands by the Indians, and Brant, with other chiefs and warriors, met at Niagara to plead with the government for justice. The speech which he delivered on that occasion shows how strongly he felt with regard to the matter, and at the same time how loyal he was to England.

"In the year 1775," said he, "Lord Dorchester, then Sir Guy Carleton at a numerous council, gave us every encouragement, and requested us to assist in defending their country, and to take active part in defending His Majesty's possessions, stating that when the happy day of peace should arrive, and should we not prove successful in the contest, that he would put us on the same footing on which we stood previous to joining him. This flattering promise was pleasing to us, and gave us spirit to embark heartily in His Majesty's cause. We took it for granted that the word of so great a man, or any promise of a public nature, would ever be held sacred. We were promised our lands for our services, and these iands we were to hold on the same footing with those we fled from at the commencement of the American war, when we joined, fought and bled in your cause. Now is published a proclamation forbidding us leasing those very lands that were positively given us in lieu of those of which we were the sovereigns of the soil. Of those lands we have

forsaken, we sold, leased, and we gave away, when and as often as we saw fit, without hindrance on the part of your government, for your government well knew we were the lawful sovereigns of the soil, and they had no right to interfere with us as independent nations."

Difficulties arose between the Indians and the government of the United States with regard to the boundaries of the Indian lands. In this dispute Brant and his Mohawks took no part, although during the years 1791 and 1792 Brant was employed as a neutral in negotiating between the disputants. He visited Philadelphia in 1792 and was given a cordial welcome by the President of the United States, and made a deep impression on many of the leading men in the young republic.

When Colonel Simcoe was appointed Governor of Upper Canada he visited Brant and was much impressed with this noble red man, and during the entire time of his sojourn in Canada a close friendship existed between the two.

But Brant was to see no more active service. The rest of his life was to be spent quietly in his Mohawk village, ruling his people with a firm but kindly hand. His house was ever open to visitors and any who sojourned with him were deeply impressed with his lavish hospitality and his dignified deportment. He ever had the interests of his Indians at heart, and when, on a bleak November day in 1807, he died, those near his bedside heard him mutter with his dying breath "Have pity upon the poor Indians; if you can get any influence with the great, endeavor to do them all the good you can."

He had during his life done them much good, and that for over a hundred years the Indians in the community he established have remained peaceful, law-abiding subjects of Great Britain has been largely due to the influence which lived on after his death. That his services have been appreciated is shown by the magnificent monument to his memory that stands in the heart of the thriving city of Brantford.

CHAPTER XI.

GENERAL ISAAC BROCK.

Brock one of the World's Military Heroes-First sees Active Service in Holland-With Nelson before Copenhagen-Comes to Canada in 1802-Believes War between United States and Great Britain Inevitable-Made a Brigadier-General in 1808-Sent to the Province of Upper Canada-War Declared-Brigadier-General Hull Marches into Canada -Brock Ready to Meet Him-Tecumseh an Ally of the British-Hull Withdraws His Men to Detroit-Brock Resolves to Attack Detroit-Hull's Ignominious Surrender-Brock Fears for the Safety of the Niagara Frontier-An Armistice Agreed Upon-BrigadierGeneral Van Rensselær Hopes to Capture Queenston Heights-Efforts to Cross to the Canadian Shore-A Battle in Progress-Brock Gallops to the Scene of Conflict-The Death of Brock-The Gallant Stand of the Americans-A Glorious Victory for the Canadian Soldiers-On the Day of His Death Brock Created a Knight for His Victory at Detroit-The Americans at Fort Niagara Give their Tribute of Mourning to the Gallant Dead.

IN

N the year 1769 three of the world's military heroes were born, Napoleon, Wellington and our own Brock. The last named, from his earliest years, had set his heart on a military career, and began his life's work as an ensign at the age of sixteen. In a little more than seven years his noble character and sterling intellect had advanced him to the rank of LieutenantColonel of the 49th, a regiment with which he was to be identified till the day of his death.

He first saw active service in Holland, where, at the battle of Egmont op-Zee, he acquitted himself with great courage, and where he narrowly escaped death. He was with Nelson, too, in the Baltic, and proved himself both a wise soldier and careful commander at Copenhagen.

But his career began in earnest when his regiment was ordered to Canada in 1802. After three years service in this country he was made a colonel, and returned to England on leave of absence to visit his friends. But his heart was in Canada and his stay in the Old World was to be cut short.