Ipok upon the covenant chain as absolutely broken between us." This promise they gave, and their neutrality was confirmed.

With war rolling its folds of fire on the north and west, and within their bosom who were indifferent if not willing had no mean task before spectators to its progress, the English them to retain their supremacy. At one time, indeed, even allies

this seemed hopeless ;

" For God's

x

but, better counsels prevailing in the prosake," wrote the officer

in command at Albany, to the governor

of Massachusetts, in 1757, " exert yourself to save a province j

New York itself may

OF HUDSON'S RWER.

vinces as well as on the part of the home government, the lost ground was recovered and the banners of England floated in

undisputed possession of Canada. In the Ohio country the conflict was continued long after its close at the north, and developed the strength of the ties which

had been formed between the western Indians and the French. Usually the first, they were now the last to yield.

The Senecas

joined them ; the Lenapes saw all their ancient wrongs repeated and riveted upon them in the success of the English. Already

had the advanced couriers of the

the

latter penetrated

Ohio

valley ; here and there in convenient proximity forts had been erected to overawe them and protect their enemies. Every

promise which the English had made having been apparently violated, the war-belt of the Senecas invited the nations in the