Upon the banks of the Susquehanna and its tributaries, which have their source near the Mohawk, and the banks of the Chemung, which has its source near the Genesee river, were other trails, all of which converged at the junction of these two rivers, forming the southern route, into Pennsylvania and Virginia. On these footpaths the Iroquois conducted war parties and became well versed in the topography of the country. Lakes, hills and streams had significant names, many of w*hich the Anglicized orthography and pronunciation have robbed of their euphony and force of accent. Mary Jemison says that " No people can live more happily than the Indians in times of peace." Their life was one round of simple sport and pleasure, in keeping with their free life ; their simple wants were supplied with but little exertion.
Following the chase gave them amusement and served to keep them in good physical condition, as well as to rettain their skill with weapons that were their dependence in time of war. The growing youth were taught Indian warfare, becoming experts with the tomahawk and scalping knife. At such times fclie squaws were employed with their simple domestic duties, or industriously tilling the soil. Apple and peach trees were planted and cultivated about the villages. To the Jesuit Fathers they were indebted for instruction in the art of cultivating fruit trees, as well as many of the vegetables which they raised in abund'ance ; also producing a fine quality of tobacco whence their original name, IREOKWA. The reports of Sullivan's officers speak of cornfields exceeding in quality and quantity anything they had been accustomed to in their eastern homes.
They wrote of ears of corn measuring twentytwo inches in length, and grass as high as the backs of the horses on which they rode.