To this the Indians replied—­You that are so brave, what need have you to be reinforced, go to Detroit, you that can put out our fires & so easyly remove our barriers.—­This we say to you, take care that in attempting to extinguish our fires you do not burn yourselves, & that in breaking down our barriers you do not run splinters into your hands.  You may also expect that we shall not suffer a single Frenchman to accompany you to Detroit.

End of the Conference.

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APPENDIX C—­TO CHAPTER IV.

(From Canadian Archives.)

(Haldimand MSS., Series B, Vol. 122, p. 351.)

(Copy.)

UPPER ST. DUSKI, June 9, 1779.

Dear Sir,

After much running about, some presents to Chiefs, we had collected at the Mingo Town near 200 Savages chiefly Shawanese—­When lo! a runner arrived with accounts of the Shawanese towns being attacked by a body from Kentuck, they burnt five houses, killed one Indian & wounded the Chief badly—­lost their own Commander Heron or Herington—­they carried off 30 Horses, were pursued by fifty Shawanese, the Shawanese were beat back with loss of five & six wounded—­News flew that all the Towns were to be attack’d & our little body seperated in an instant past reassembling—­confusion still prevails—­much counselling—­no resolves—­many are removing—­more for peace.

The Delawares make it dangerous travelling.  By this opportunity Davison & Cook return sick—­Girty is flying about—­McCarty stays with me with some Ottawas—­these unsteady Rogues put me out of all patience,—­I will go with him in a few days, if nothing material occurs—­See the Enemy that I may not be laugh’d at then return.—­The Rebels mean I believe to destroy the Villages & corn now up—­the method they bring their little armies into the field as follows:  Every Family on the Borders receive orders to send according to their strength (one or two men) to the place of Rendezvous at a time appointed (on pain of fine or imprisonment) with fifteen or twenty days Provisions, they immediately receive their ammunition & proceed quickly to action—­I am credibly inform’d by various means, that they can raise in that manner three or four thousand in a few days for such excursions—­I was obliged to Kill four more Cattle for the Indians at the Mingo Town—­they are always Cooking or Counselling.

I have nothing more to inform you off if anything material occurs, which
I really expect in a day or two, I will inform you by Express.

I am &c

HENRY BIRD.

To CAPT.  LERNOULT.

(Copy.)

June 12th, UPPER ST. DUSKI.

Sir,

Couriers after Couriers arrive with accounts of the Rebels advancing to destroy the Savage Villages now all their corn is planted—­

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