Teacher Guide to Student Worksheet 2- The Encounter at FortPitt
- Highlight and write down any unknown vocabulary. Define below.
Constitution-the physical makeup of a person; the structure or basic qualities of something
Inquiry-search for truth or knowledge; questioning
Diligent-showing steady and earnest care and effort
Habituated-to get used to something
Affection-disease or disorder (Note: This is a second, and less-known, definition of the word. It is the way the word is used in the reading.)
- Where is FortPitt? Locate on a map.
- Why did the Indians go there?
They went to make peace with the British.
- How long had Mary been with her Indian family when they took this trip?
She says she has been with the Indians over a year.
- In your own words, summarize what happened in the reading.
The Indians took Mary with them on their peace-making trip to FortPitt. When the white people saw Mary they were surprised and started asking questions about her capture. Mary was talking to them and began to long to be back in their culture. But the Indian sisters sensed she was in danger of being taken away from them. They recrossed the river with Mary, picked up bread they had been baking, and did not stop rowing until they arrived home. Later Mary learned from her Indian brothers that the whites did come over and search for her, but when they couldn’t find her, they gave up. This made Mary feel sad, and only time helped heal her sadness.
- How did Mary feel when the Indians took her to white people?
She longs to be freed and among the white people again. She says “my heart bounded to be liberated from the Indians…”
- What did her sisters do when they believed Mary could have been taken from them?
They fled with her and took her home to the river Shenanjee.
- What was Mary’s reaction when she learned the whites had come looking for her, but left when they could not find her?
She was despondent/dejected/brooding.
- What helped Mary become content again?
The passing of time helped Mary become content again.