Some of the settlers were too wise to trust their lives to the plighted word of a Tory or Indian, and plunged into the forests on their way to the settlements of the Upper Delaware. Many sank down and died in the dismal solitudes which have ever since borne the name of the "Shades of Death." A few succeeded in reaching Stroudsburg and other points, but the awful woe suffered by Wyoming in the early days of July, 1778, will give the place a sad distinction so long as the history of our country is chronicled.
It was only four months later, that a body of seven hundred, most of whom were under Brandt, set out for Cherry Valley. Colonel Ichabod Alden was in command of this post, and was blamable for what followed. He was warned of the approach of Brandt and his men, and the settlers asked for shelter in the fort. He replied that he did not believe the danger was serious, and would send out scouts that would keep him informed of the movements of the enemy. The principal of these scouts found the November weather so chilly, that, after going a little way they kindled a fire, lay down and went to sleep. Brandt's scouts were drawn to the spot by the light, and captured every one of the men, who were compelled to give exact information of the fort and settlement. In the cold mist of the morning the enemy approached the post. Among the first victims was Colonel Alden, who was quartered outside the fort. The latter repelled several attacks, and the assailants took their departure with about forty prisoners, while fully as many had been put to death or mortally wounded.
When peace came and the independence of the United States was secured, Colonel Brandt did what he could to prevent hostilities by the Indians on the southern and western frontier. Much trouble resulted from the failure properly to fix the boundary between the United States and the Indian tribes. Brandt urged making the Ohio and the Muskingum such boundary, and, declared that, unless it was done, the Indians would go to war. He even said he would join them, but this must have been in the nature of intimidation, for though the red men took up the hatchet again, Brandt was at no time with them.
The king of England did not forget the services of his ally. He gave him a fine tract of land on the western side of Lake Ontario, where he made his home and lived after the English fashion. He had married a half-breed woman in the winter of 1779, by whom he had several children. She remained more of an Indian, however, than a white woman, and refused to conform to civilized life. After her husband's death (November 24, 1807), she removed to Grand River and spent the remainder of her days in a wigwam, taking some of her children with her and leaving others at their former home.
A remarkable piece of work by Brandt was the translation of John's Gospel and the Book of Common Prayer into the Mohawk language. Copies of these works may be found in the library of Harvard University.
A CHIEFTAIN ON THE WARPATH
ADVENTURES OF TECUMSEH, THE SHAWANOE
