THE FRONTIERSMEN
A NOVEL.
By GUSTAVE AIMARD
NEW YORK:
THE F.M. LUPTON PUBLISHING COMPANY,
Nos. 72-76 Walker Street.
1854
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY.
In the year 1783, Western New York—or at least what was then deemedWestern New York—was an almost unbroken wilderness, scarcely known tothe inhabitants of the eastern and south-eastern portions of the State;although the greater part of that large tract of territory then known asTryon County, was especially an unexplored country. It is true thatoccasionally some adventurous pioneer had penetrated the wilderness, andendeavored to form for himself and family a home, where, if he could notenjoy the luxuries and comforts to be found in more populous sections,he could at least be freed from many of the evils incident to thegrowing settlements and cities. Some there were, who had not theseinducements, but, moved by a spirit of hardy enterprise, and with a lovefor the excitements and dangers of a pioneer life, penetrated thewilderness alone, with no companion but the rifle—a sure and steadfastfriend amidst the dangers which were certain to beset him.
Thus, an adventurous traveler, who perhaps fancied himself the firstwhite man who had ever toiled through the forests of this portion of theState, would be surprised as he came upon the traces of civilization, ina log hut, situated, perhaps, in the midst of a few acres of partiallycleared wilderness. When such happened to be the case, it would be nooccasion for wonder that the traveler and the settler became at onceacquaintances and friends. The news from the settlements—inquiries forfriends, and political information, would gladly be exchanged for thehomely but welcome entertainment, which was at once provided.
At the period which we have chosen for our narrative, the County ofTryon was inhabited by roving bands of Indians, mostly belonging to theSix Nations. Some favorite localities were selected, which might bedeemed peculiarly the homes of these bands; although their rovingdispositions, the pursuit of game, or hostile encounters, would preventthe permanent occupation of any one locality.
That portion of Tryon County with which the reader will become somewhatacquainted in due course of this narrative, was more especiallyinhabited by that division of the Iroquois, known as the Oneidas. But itwas not infrequent that bands belonging to other tribes of theconfederacy made incursions into this territory, in pursuit of game, andoccasionally on less peaceable missions.
It is well known that during the War of the Revolution, the differenttribes, composing the confederacy of the Six Nations, were divided intheir choice between England and the rebellious Colonies. The Oneidas,and a part of the Tuscaroras and Mohawks, adhered to the Colonies, whilethe other three nations of the confederacy were leagued with England,under Col. Butler, and the notorious Johnson. It was under the formerofficer that the Senecas, principally, aided by Tories, perpetrated theMassacre of Wyoming. The Onondagas, at first, professed neutralitybetween the belligerent parties; but as it was believed that they aidedin the more hostile operations of the Senecas, a detachment was sentfrom Fort Stanwix, which destroyed their villages. This attack wasrevenged by assaults upon the settlements of Schoharie and the westernborders of Ulster.
During the war, Tryon County contained a large number of Tories, whowere constantly inciting the Indians to acts of hostility against theColonies. But while they were successful with a large portion of theIroquois, they signally failed in all their attempts to abate thefi