Page:1758, being a sketch of the founding of Pittsburgh.djvu/11

 as a spy; if he succeeded, what worldly honor or glory could be the reward of a mere man of God? Yet he went forth serenely to almost certain death, like a Christian martyr of old.

When he had already started, the two Delaware Indians who accompanied him as guides attempted to dissuade him from proceeding with his journey, telling him they were afraid the western Indians would kill him or the French capture him. He replied with saint-like enthusiasm, that if he "died in the undertaking, it would be as much for the Indians as the English." He explained that he hoped his journey "would be the means of saving the lives of many hundred Indians."

Everywhere he was well received; in many places, enthusiastically. When he reached the French fort of Venango, he says, with what appears like a gleam of humor, "I prayed the Lord to blind them, as he did the enemies of Lot and Elisha," and adds, "The Lord heard my prayer and I passed unknown till we had mounted our horses to go off, when two Frenchmen came to take leave of the Indians, and were much surprised at seeing me, but said nothing." At a village on Beaver Creek, the Indians surrounded him with drawn knives in such a manner, he declares modestly, "that I could hardly get along; running up against me, with breasts open, as if they wanted some pretence to kill me. Their faces were quite distorted with rage and they went so far as to say I should not live long; but some Indians with whom I was formerly acquainted, coming up and saluting me in a friendly manner, their behavior to me quickly changed."

His visit awakened an intense interest among the Indians, and they insisted that he go with them to Fort Duquesne. He protested that his mission was to the Indians and not to the French with whom the English were at war. His protest was unavailing; the Indians declared they had sent a messenger to the fort, who had returned and reported that there were eight different nations represented there who all wanted to hear his message. They assured him that he need not fear the French, and declared solemnly that they would "carry him in their bosoms," which Post translates as meaning to "engage for his safety."

Reluctantly he went with them, but on arriving at the fort, remained on the north side of the Allegheny River. His fame had gone before him, and all the Indians in and about the fort came over to see him. His apprehension for his personal safety had not been groundless. No sooner was