The life and adventures of Nat Foster, trapper and hunter of the Adirondacks

Preface

In writing this book, I have not catered to the novel reader or sensational book worm. A ''plot" could have been introduced, and, weaving it into the fabric of the whole, the work could have been easily changed from the historical to the romantic, and a good novel made; so I have been told by a few of my friends, who have done me the kindness to examine the MSS., or have submitted to the ordeal of having some of it read to them. But it is in no sense a work of fiction. It is a faithful account of the life and adventures of a character familiar to sportsmen and others who' frequent the Adirondacks. It has been my endeavor to collect and put in form the numerous stories and anecdotes told by one of the pioneers of New^ York State; though in my desire to vindicate the qualities of Nat Foster, I have given considerable not actually identified with his adventures, but having a bearing on his life.

The hardy race of men who followed the chase for a livelihood in the wilds of Northern New York, has passed away. With the men has gone the knowledge of many of their exciting adventures. It is not too late, however, to gather

4 Preface.

from old residents and descendants, many of the experiences connected with their profession. This is what I have endeavored to do in this book; taking pains, as the reader will see, to gather only such notes of Foster's life as the trustworthy sources assured me of their genuineness. The assumption that Foster is the hero of Cooper's Leatherstocking Tales I think is well founded. I believe the reader will agree with me, that the character of Nat Foster as portrayed by the facts here presented, and the character of Natty Bumfo of Cooper, are wonderfully similar; which, taken with the unbiased opinions of men of Foster's time, are weighty arguments in favor of the idea advanced. 1 am sure my labors will be appreciated by those interested. And as Jerome K. Jerome observed in his "Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow," that "some of my relations having promised to buy the book, if it ever came out;" so I would say that many persons interested in the Adirondacks, having expressed a desire to own the book "if it ever came out," I feel justified in inflicting it on the public. I would in conclusion express my thanks to those who have in any way contributed to the material that makes up the book.

CONTENTS,

Chapter I

Nat Foster's Parentage. — Emigration to Hinsdale, N. H. — Character of the Town. — Wild animals. — Bounties for their slaughter. — Indians. — Their Depredations. — Tories suspected of Exciting them. — Birth of Nat. — The Elder Foster's Patriotism.— Nat Attends a Patriotic Meeting. — His Childish Expression. — "Lish and Me'll Stay Home and Shoot Injuns." CHAPTER n.

Mr. Foster Leaves for War. — Fights in Battles of Lexington and Bunker Hill. - Is Offered a Captain's Commission. — Declines it. — Origin of "Go to Halifax." — Washington Admires Foster — Various Services. — Is Again Offered a Commission.- Is Ordered to Saratoga. — Excursion Through Mohawk Valley. — Rescue of the Failing Family. — Service at Battle of Saratoga. — Despatched to Lake George. — Meets Failing. — Mr. Foster's Expression of Hatred of Indians

Chapter III

Valley Forge. — Mr Foster's Cheerfulness.: — Makes Shoes From Horse Hide. — Soup Made From Scraps. — Massacre in Wyoming Valley. — Winter Quarters 1779- 80. — Rations, a Pint of Corn.— Foraging Expeditions. — An Old Tory Encountered. — His Stores and a Horse Taken. —Foster Goes to Maj. Lee's Tent to Present Horse. — Lee asks him to join the Legion — Foster's Answer. — Meets Sergeant John Champ. — Plan to Capture Arnold. — Champ and Foster's Part in Plan. — Champ's Pretended Desertion. — The Legion, with Mr. Foster in Command, Start in Pursuit.

Chapter IV

The Legion Sights Champ. — Foster Throws the Legion off from his Track. — The Attempt to head him off. — He Escapes. — Swims to British Gunboats. — Legion Returns to Camp.— Foster Remains. — Receives a Note from Champ. — He Enlists in Arnold's Regiment. — Messages to Foster. — Plans for Capturing Arnold Matured. — Fail at Last Moment. — Champ not Suspected of Being a Spy. — Accompanies Arnold's Regiment to Virginia. — Returns to American Lines. — Affecting Meeting of Champ and Foster. — Lee's Welcome.

6 Contents.

Chapter V

Life at the Foster Home During the War. — Mrs.. Foster's Arduous Duties. — The Boys Hunt. — They Buy a Rifle, — Better Success. — Work up Winter's Wood. — Chopping Wood in Winter. — Device for Keeping Their Feet Warm. — Indians give Trotible. — Nat Resents it. — Is Seized, but Dehvered. — Nat's Nocturnal Encounter With a Bear. — Capture of an Eagle. -The Romance in Nat's Life Begins at this Time.

Chapter VI

Mr. Foster's Long Absence — Hardships Endured by Himself and by his Family. — He Decides to Return Home. — Mrs. Foster Spinning.— A Knock. — A Stranger. — Her Husband. ^Greetings of the Children. — Nat's- " Hurrah for Father" — Suggestions of Moving to Mohawk Valley.— Boys Hail it With Delight.— Mr. Foster's. Instructions as to ''Injuns."

Chapter VII

Preparations for Emigrating to New York State — The Start. — Progress of the Journey. — Hudson River Reached. — A Raft Built to Cross. — Indians Seen.^-A Watch Kept During Night.— Nat's Plucky Defense.— Spills the Blood of an Indian for first Time. — The Journey Continued. — They Settle at Johnstown. — Log Cabin Homes. — Capture of Zilphah by Indians. — Pursuit and Rescue.

Chapter VIII

Nat at Twenty-one, — A Trip to Piesco Lake. — Rescues a Child from Indians — Forms Acquaintance of Stoner. — Participating in Sports on Fourth of July. — His Dress. — Leatherstocking. — Wins all the Races — Throws the Champion Wrestler. — Rescues the Sweetheart of his Youth. — Departs Upon Discovering her Identity.— Her Father's Offer of Reward.— Nat's Answer.

Chapter IX

Nat Marries.— Settles at Salisbury.— Game Abundant. — Great Success in Plunting. — His Industry and Liberality.— Bounties Cause a Misunderstanding. — Rifles Carried by Nat. — His Expertness in Loading and Firing. —Contest With Soldier.— His Accoutrements for Hunting. — Mode of Locating Directions.— His Rescue of Two Girls From a Panther. —Used by Cooper. CHAPTER X.

Remarkable Stories Told of Foster.— Author's Rule

Contents. 7

in giving those Related. — Animals Trapped and Hunted. — A Variety of Adventures. — Story of Bagging Two Wolves, five Panthers and a Deer in an Hour. — Only time he was Caught Nappmg — Never Outwitted by Indians. — Adventures on the Sacondaga River. — Story of his Dog Watch.

Chapter XI

Foster's Extensive Trips. — Struggles with a Deer. — Neighbor Shooting a Bear. — Traps used by Foster. — Takes a Wolf for a Pet. — Fondness for Pets, and for Children. — Visited by his Nephews. — His efforts to Entertain them. — Teaches them to Shoot — His manner of telling Indian Stories. — A "Lucky Shot." — Indian Hess. — Foster not Influenced by Sentiment. — Benchley's Account of Foster.

Chapter XII

The Hunter's Life Threatened by Wolves. — His first visit to Fulton Chain. — Stories of Valuable Ores. — Foster Prepares for a Season's Trapping along the Chain. — His Stump Camp. — Indians Steal from his Traps. — Endeavors to Encounter them. — Prepares a Snug Camp for Them. — "Frightens" Them Aw^ay. — Condition of the Adirondacks Permitted This. — A few 5^ears Labor, and a Change.

Chapter XIII

Mighty changes wrought at Foster's Favorite Section of the Wilderness. — C. E. Snyder's paper on Brown's Tract. — Speculation in Land. — ^Land Acquired by Brown. — Attempts to Develop it. — Brown Dies. — His Son-in-law, Herreshoff, attempts it. — His Tragic End. — His Settlements fell into Decay. — Foster purchases an Assignment of the Lease. — Intends to Spend the Remamder of his life on the Tract. — An Indian, however, Intrudes upon his Retreat.

Chapter XIV

Foster Advanced in Years, when he Settled at Old Forge. — Presence of the Indian Drid a Source of Annoyance. — Other Settlers on the Tract. — Benchley's Description of the Old Hunter at this time. — Drid Threatens his Life. — Endeavors to get out a Peace Warrant for him.— A Fishing Party Visits the Tract— Stop with Foster. — He agrees to go with them up the Lakes. — Quarrels with Indian.— Goes to Point. — Shoots Indian as Party Come up the River.— Goes out with Witnesses next day.— Arrest, Indictment, Trial, and Acquitted.— Goes to Pennsylvania.— Returns to Ava, N. Y.— His Peacful Death.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page.

A Modern Log Camp of the Adirondacks... Frontispiece

^ A Canvas Camp of the Adirondacks Titlepage,

Elisha and Nat 14

, Mr. Foster and his Party... 22

•^ Piser, the Old Tory 36

■ Working in the Field 66

' Mrs. Foster Spinning.... 97

^ A Country Auction no

/ A Log Cabin Home _. 123

'' The Indian Camp 142

Nat at Twenty-one _ 1 50

J Hunter's Brush Camp ..172

/ An Adirondack Indian. 181

/ Bear in Apple Tree 201

"f Indians Deceived... 23S

^ Old Herreshoff House 24S

"^ Death of the Indian Drid 257

Chapter I

NATHANIEL Foster, the hero of this book, was of New England stock. His father, whose name was Nathaniel, was born in Rhode Island, and some time after the close of the French and Indian war, married, and with his young wife, emigrated to Hinsdale, New Hampshire. At the time of his settlement at Hinsdale, it w^as in the strictest sense a pioneer town, situated near the mouth of the Ashuelat River, and hard by the Connecticut.

Its territory, except the few acres cleared by the settlers, was covered by virgin forests. Almost all the inhabitants lived in the most primitive manner possible to civilized people. Log houses on squatters' farms formed the bulk of the little hamlet. A few sheep and cows, a yoke of oxen, and possibly a horse, was owned by those settlers who had been a few years at the place. Upon a few acres of land cleared by earnest toil, was raised Indian corn and Irish potatoes. These formed the staple articles of their vegetable diet. The woods, abounding with game, supplied them with meat.

lo Life and Adventures of

Mr. Foster, having selected a favorable site for his new house some two miles from the settlement proper, proceeded first to erect his log house, and then attacked the forest. In a couple of years he had a number of acres cleared, and under cultivation. The second year of his settlement, the birth of a son gladdened the hearts of the young couple. Elisha, the oldest of the family, and next to Nathaniel, being born in 1764.

Moose and deer were plentiful, while the gray wolf and the panther made the nights hideous by their howls and screams. Black bears were numerous. Mr. Foster, being a crack shot, kept his larder well supplied v/ith wild meats, while the pelts of the fur-bearing animals took the place of ordinary bedding and blankets. For being tanned with the hair on they furnished warm robes for protection from the icy cold of the New England winters. The meat of the deer, moose and black bear Vv^as corned, smoked, and dried. A great deal of the wild game of the woods was of course a source of annoyance to the settlers, in their attempts to raise domestic animals. Often after a settler had, by several seasons' patient breeding, obtained quite a flock of sheep, or a number of cows; or from one sow had obtained a promis-

Nat Foster. ii

iiig litter of shoats, his plans and calculations were upset by some nocturnal visitor from the woods, gaining access to the sheep fold or pigsty, and slaughtering one or more of the animals, before the owner could become aware of what was going on, and rising from his bed, go forth, gun in hand, to drive the intruder away.

Even in the daytime some wild animals attacked the domestic ones, if they wandered far into the woods. The pigs were never permitted to go into the woods in the fall to root for acorns, without being accompanied by a man with a gun, to shoot any bear which might Aish to change its diet from wild berries to fresh pork.

The New England Colonies early began offering bounties for the slaughter of these wild animals, and the pine-tree shilling was a welcome reward to the struggling frontiersmen, in their contest with the wild beasts of the wilderness they were trying to subdue.

The wild animals were not so great a source of danger to the settlers' flocks of domestic ones, however, as the Indians, the latter really being their greatest enemies in this resf-ect. There were still roving bands of these aborigines, not yet inclined tO' succumb to the advancements of the pale-face. These would approach the settlements to steal, sometimes even bold enough at that late day, to sack and burn the dwellings, and murder and scalp the inmates. Just before the outbreak of the war of the Revolution, a small hamlet a few miles from Hinsdale was destro3'ed in this way.

As the colonial spirit of independence increased, these depredations on the part of the Indians grew more frequ.ent and bold. But one noticeable feature connected with all Indian raids was, that it was always the patriot families whose stock was stolen, while the Tories' property would remain undisturbed; so that they were soon suspected of exciting the Indians to their nefarious business by gifts of rum and tobacco.

Conspicuous among the Tory families at Hinsdale at this time was one by the name of Wilson. William Wilson was a prominent man in the village, which by this time had gotten to be quite a town. He held a lucrative position for those days, under the service of the Crown, and was the stamp-agent under the famous Stamp Act. Hence he was a marked loyalist. He lived very comfortably in the only frame dwelling in the hamlet, kept a couple of servants, and sent his only child, a daughter, to school in Boston. He had a great many doings with the Indians under the guise of a trader, and was thoroughly suspected by the patriots of being one of the chief ones who encouraged the Indians in phuidering and steahng from the patriotic settlers on the frontier. So numerous and bold had the Indians become, that Mr. foster, in less than a year, had all of his cows stolen, and a flock of thirty sheep reduced to six. One day, during his absence from home, their only remaining pig, a sow, was stolen.

Upon his discovery and report of the loss, his Tory neighbors offered as explanation that a wild animal had taken it; but he scouted this idea, and declared that it was mighty funny that a panther or wolf would steal a pig from its sty in broad daylight. "No," said he, "it was none of a our four legged varmits that done it. I reckon it was them two legged ones you're a settin' on us."

The suffering patriots could not shoot their Torv neghbors, but it is needless to say that they dealt with the Indians in the same manner as they dealt with wild animals that stole from their Mocks. They shot them.

Under such circumstances, and at such times as these, was Nathaniel Foster, Jr., born, on the 30th day of Ji^ne, 1766, nine years prior to the outbreak of the war for Independence. And as we read of the liardy days of his boyhood, and the struggle of his family for existence, intensified by the depredations of Indians, his own young life environed by influences of the woods, we do not wonder at his remarkable career as a hunter and trapper, and the hardiness he displayed in following that pursuit. Nor can we wonder at the indifference he sometimes displayed in making away with such Indians as were unfortunate enough to imagine that they could cross him in the following of his chosen calling in the Adirondack Mountains.

The elder Nathaniel, being an ardent patriot, was a leader in holding meetings in the township, in the interest of liberty. When Nathaniel,. Jr., was scarcely seven }'ears old, he and his brother Elisha asked their father to take them to one of these meetings. At first he demurred, but finally yielded to their importunities, and took them along with him; with considerable grumbling, however, saying they would only be "under foot and in his way." At this meeting, Mr. Foster made a rousing speech, following the popular and usual strain of the time of "give me liberty, or give me death." In closing he exclaimed impressively, "1 am ready now to go and fight the Crown." Young Nat, who with his brother occupied a

'Nat * * * with his brother occupied a back seat.

back seat, had listened with open mouth (and ears) to his father's flow of patriotic and revolutionary expressions, and seemed to have caught the spirit of the occasion; for as his father uttered the alcove words, he piped up from his seat in the corner, in a shriU but defiant Uttle voice, "Yes, dad, you go, and Lish and me'll stay home and shoot Injuns." This childish expression of patriotism and defiance of the Crown was greeted with exclamations of delight from the hardy pioneers present. Nat was brought from his seat in the corner, greeted with three hearty cheers from their lurty lung.-, and the meeting dispersed.

Less than tw'O years passed ere his father did go to "fight the Crown," andElisha and Nat were left at home to "shoot Injuns." But not to shoot Indians only; but also tO' participate in, and share the hardships and privations which the patriotic families of those times were called upon to endure, while the heads of the families were away "fighting the Crown," and gaining for us that priceless heritage of liberty, which we all enjoy, but do not appreciate one half or one quarter as much as we should.

CHAPTER 11.

eARLY in 1775, Mr. Foster began to make preparations for going to war. The idea that war might possibly be averted seemed never to have been entertained by him. The words of Patrick Henry had so enthused the people throughout the land, that the men would swfng their hats and exclaim, "Give me liberty or give me death." On the first day of February Mr. Foster gathered his family about him, and gave each an afifectionate farewell, and blessing; for he was a pious man. He then shouldered his musket and started on foot for Pioston. The family then consisted of Mrs. Foster and six vigorous, growing children. Elisha, the oldest, was eleven years old; Nathaniel, our hero, was nine; Zilpha, a girl of seven summers; destined in after years to play the most conspicuous part in an exciting adventure. The next youngest child was a daughter Ann, aged five. The next, a boy of three, bearing the ponderous name of Solomon; the youngest child was a cooing babe named Sylby, scarcely a year old. Mrs. Foster and these six children did not see

Mr. Foster again until the close of the war, (.ver seven years and ten months after he took iiis departure on that frosty February morning.

All their earthly possessions at this time consisted of some ten acres of cleared land, one cow, a few sheep, two pigs, and a few fowls. And their struggle with poverty and actual want during the absence of the husband and father, was truly a gallant one. But let us leave them for a little, and follow the fortunes and experiences of the head of the family. The elder Foster's career in the war has such an important and indisputable bearing and relation to the subsequent career of his family, particularly that of his son Nat, that we will devote this and the next tw^o chapters to an account of some of his adventures and experiences in the war. Journeying on foot he reached Concord the last of the month. As he plainly saw, the war was soon to break out; so he remained in the vicinity, exhorting and encouraging the minute men in their preparations for taking the field. In a couple of months after his arrival in Concord, he had the satisfaction of participating in the battle of Lexington, and firing his first shot at the Crown, as represented in the British troops that invaded Concord. He was in the thickest of the fight, and with other patriots,

1 8 Life and Ad-T'cnturcs of

poured his deadly fire from behind stone fences and trees, into the ranks of the royal troops as they retreated towards Boston. He received' two bullet holes in his clothes, and exultingly exclaimed as he discovered them, "I'll be able to fight a good many years if the red-coats only shoot cloth."

He immediately repaired to Boston, and presenting himself to Col. Prescott, was assigned by that officer to a prominent place among the patriot troops then throwing up intrenchments oil Bunker Hill. His braverv, skill and enthusiasm at this battle, made him ever afterwards a favorite with the officers and men of the American Army who knew or heard of his conduct on the heights of Boston. He did much by his own coolness and presence of mind to further the efforts of Col. Prescott, who, it will be remembered, preserved order, and kept up the courage of the raw American soldiers by his own calmness and courage. When the ammunition gave out, and the British commenced to pour over the breast-works, Foster was the first to club his gun, and shouting "Give it to them, boys," commenced to club the red coated soldiers right and left. As we know, all the soldiers "clubbed" their muskets, and endeavored to resist efifectuallv the on-coming British ; but it was a hopeless task. Foster and the few remaining with him fled down a desperately steep place on the hill, and thus escaped through the dust and smoke of the battle. Foster was promptly offered a captain's commission in the Continental Army, as a reward for his conspicuously gallant conduct at this battle; but he declined the honor and responsibility.

Washington having been appointed in charge of the army of the East, commenced to fortify the heights around Boston, and Gen. Howe moved the Royal troops in the vicinity to a greater distance from the toiling Yankees. His treatment at their hands at Bunker Hill seemed to have taught him a lesson, so that he nowappeared to have some little respect for the despised American pioneers. This movement on the part of the enemy was of course a subject of conversation among the American soldiers, and Foster in one of his characteristic expressions said, "Let 'em go: Let 'em go to Halifax," a settlement in Canada. This expression was taken up by the rest of the soldiers. It passed from mouth to mouth. Washington laughed as he heard of the apt way it was expressed. It soon ])ecame a by-word in the army, and is now^ common property, "Go' to Halifax."

20 Life and Adz'cnturcs of

Foster seems to have been in the army under Gen. Putnam. At all events, he accompanied the American army to New York, and, at the head of forty picked men, harassed the Britons from behind the rocks at Harlem Heights, effectually protecting Washington's retreat to White Plains. Several of the enemies' bullets passed through his clothing again; and one grazed his left side, cutting the skin so that it bled profusely, and he was obliged to go to a surgeon. That officer put on his spectacles, and gravely examining it, remarked, "My good man, if it had gone a little closer it would have killed you." "Yes, yes," said Foster, in his indifferent manner, "and if it had only gone a little farther off it wouldn't have touched me." During Washington's retreat through New Jersey, Foster was one of his trusted men. For his enthusiasm, endurance and courage, he had no superior. Washington remarked that the enthusiasm and devotion to the cause, of such men as Foster, gave him courage to continue the struggle against such great odds. And on one occasion he was heard to say that with ten thousand such men as Foster he could drive every British soldier from the American shores in short order. Foster was one of the picked men who preceded the army to the Delaware River, and got boats in readiness to pass over. On the 23rd of December, 1776, Washington was seen on his knees asking divine aid and guidance for the then almost hopeless cause of his country. On the same day he called a council of officers to consider the feasibility of attacking the Hessians encamped at Trenton. But few advised it, when Foster came forward, and offered the efficient aid of his "picked forty," and it was decided to undertake it. Foster returned to his companions, and telling them of the acceptance of their services, exclaimed, "Boys we'll have a Christmas dinner off from Trenton, or die in the attempt to get it." History tells us of Col. Rohl's surrender, the capture of a thousand Hessians, and the safe retreat of Washington and his army across the Delaware again. The battle of Trenton and its results roused the colonies from despondency. Foster, for his bravery and efficient services on this occasion was again offered a captain's commission. But he again declined the honor, and this time in words which effectually prevented the office being tendered him again; he said to the orderly who brought the message to him, "No, I came to fight the common enemy of our country, and I can do that better with a gun than with a sword; I'll stick to my gun."

The following spring he was ordered with his "picked forty" up the Hudson to assist Gen. Gates. To him they rendered good service at the battle of Saratoga. Occupying a brow of a hill, they contributed materially to the success of the battle by their rapid and accurate firing. As the royal army retreated they were able from their position to pour a destructive fire into the ranks of the enemy. Every shot counted. Foster's exhortation to his men as they took their position on the hill was, "Now bo}'s, don't waste a shot. Bring- down a red coat every time you fire." We all know^ the results of that battle. Gen. Burgoyne surrendered, and the Americans marched into his camp to the tune of "Yankee Doodle." It was at this battle that Arnold won laurels he ought to have worn; and if he had, his subsequent act of treason might not have occurred.

Before participating in the battle of Saratoga, however, Foster and his forty *'dare devils." as they had come to be called, took a journey up the Mohawk ^^alley. They participated in the battle of Oriskany, having joined Gen. Herkimer's minute men at Fort Dayton. They then started leisurely back to Saratoga, when they met the detachment headed by Arnold sent for the relief of Fort Stanwix. They joined them,

Their ascent of a slight eminence.

and returned back over the ground they had twice gone over, past the bloody field of Oriskany, and on to Fort Stanwix. Then they started on down the valley again. It appears that they traveled by themselves rather than with the regular troops. It was during his journeys up and down the Mohawk Valley at this time, that Foster saw so much of the diabolical acts of the Indians in slaying and scalping the defenseless settlers, at the instigation of tl}e British, and which caused him on his return home, to instill into the minds of his sons such a hatred of the race.

While he and his party w^ere returning down the valley from Fort Stanwix, as they came where Canajoharie now stands, then almost a wilderness, their ascent of a slight eminence brought to their view on the north an immense smoke rising from the tree-tops. Said Foster, 'T guess some of the red devils are putting in their hellish work." Sure enough, as they proceeded, they came in sight of a log cabin in flames, and an immense crowd of Indians around it. The little band of forty immediately prepared for a rush upon them. They crept cautiously forward under the cover of trees and bushes, until they could see plainly some two score of savages dancing about the cabin. They

Life and Adi'cnturcs of knew by their actions that there were people in the dwelhng, and they were waiting for them to come out from the blazing building, when they intended to set upon them, and slay and scalp them.

"Attend to your priming, boys," said Foster, ''We'll show the red cusses that the Yankees arn't all napping." He gave the word to fire, and instantly twelve Indians lay upon the ground in tneir death throes, and several were wounded. The Indians, though taken by surprise, rallied for resistance, and made for trees, from behind which they always fired. But before half a dozen of them could reach the shelter of tree trunks, Foster's men fired another volley into them. It was effectual. All signs of a resistance disappeared with the Indians' disappearance in the woods. The brave little band of soldiers now rushed forward to the house, which was burning furiously. The door and windows they found barricaded. It was but the work of a moment to smash in the door with a small log which lay handy, and the inmates were dragged from the doomed cabin none too soon. They were a Mrs. Failing and her three small children. They had all been overcome by the smoke and heat, and were insensible when removed from the burning house, the mother having been quite badly burned. Water brought from a neighboring spring in the hats of some of the men, and dashed in their faces, soon brought them to their senses. When they reahzed deHverance, their gratitude was beyond expression. The husband and father of the family was away fighting for liberty. Had this little band of patriots been but a few moments later in their arrival on the scene, his family would have been burned alive. The mother and children were taken to the nearest settlement, and placed among friends; Foster and his party remaining there for several days, fearing that the Indians might seek revenge by attacking the settlement. Word finally being brought them that a battle was likely to be fought very soon at Saratoga, they took leave of the settlement and the family they had saved, and pushing on, poined tUe American army, rendering the efficient service from their position on the hill, as mentioned above.