Page:History of Delaware County (1856).djvu/141

DELAWARE COUNTY. 117 poor brute had been left to take care of itself the summer be- fore, by Sullivan, in his march to the Indian country, being unfit for the service of a pack-horse. Here, on the commons of nature — which, during the summer and fall, it is likely, pro- duced an abundance of pasturage, but when winter came on, and rendered it impossible for the poor worn-out animal to take care of itself — death came to its relief. That it had lived until the winter had become severe, was evident, from its not being in the least degree putrescent, but was completely frozen, it having been buried in the snow during the winter. ^^The wolves had torn and gnawed the upper side quite away, but not being able to turn the carcass over, it was sound and entire on the under side. This we seized upon, rejoicing as at the finding of hidden treasures ; it was instantly cut to pieces, bones, head and hoofs, and equally divided among the whole. Fires were built, at which we roasted and eat, without salt, each his own share, with the highest degree of satisfac- tion. ^' Near this we found the famous Fainted Post, which is now known over all the continent, to those conversant with the early history of our country ; the origin of which was as follows : — ' Whether it was in the Revolution, or in the Dun- more battles with the Indians, which commenced in Virginia, or in the French war, I do not know : an Indian chief on this spot had been victorious in battle, killing and taking prisoners to the number of about sixty. This event he celebrated, by causing a tree to be taken from the forest and hewed four- square, painted red, and the number he killed, which was twenty-eight, represented across the post in black paint, with- out any heads ; but those he took prisoners, which was thirty, were represented in black paint, as the others, but with heads on. This post he erected, and thus handed down to posterity an account that here a battle was fought, but by whom, and