“Then jerk[31] it,” said the man, “as the Indians do their venison.”

The Indians now became daily more unruly.  Entering the fort in defiance of the sentinels, they made their way without ceremony into the officers’ quarters.  On one occasion an Indian took up a rifle and fired it in the parlor of the commanding officer, as an expression of defiance.  Some were of opinion that this was intended among the young men as a signal for an attack.  The old chiefs passed backwards and forwards among the assembled groups, with the appearance of the most lively agitation, while the squaws rushed to and fro, in great excitement, and evidently prepared for some fearful scene.

Any further manifestation of ill feeling was, however, suppressed for the present, and Captain Heald, strange as it may seem, continued to entertain a conviction of having created so amicable a disposition among the Indians as would insure the safety of the command on their march to Fort Wayne.

Thus passed the time until the 12th of August.  The feelings of the inmates of the fort during this time may be better imagined than described.  Each morning that dawned seemed to bring them nearer to that most appalling fate—­butchery by a savage foe—­and at night they scarcely dared yield to slumber, lest they should be aroused by the war-whoop and tomahawk.  Gloom and mistrust prevailed, and the want of unanimity among the officers debarred them the consolation they might have found in mutual sympathy and encouragement.

The Indians being assembled from the neighboring villages, a council was held with them on the afternoon of the 12th.  Captain Heald alone attended on the part of the military.  He requested his officers to accompany him, but they declined.  They had been secretly informed that it was the intention of the young chiefs to fall upon the officers and massacre them while in council, but they could not persuade Captain Heald of the truth of their information.  They waited therefore only until he had left the garrison, accompanied by Mr. Kinzie, when they took command of the block-houses which overlooked the esplanade on which the council was held, opened the port-holes, and pointed the cannon so as to command the whole assembly.  By this means, probably, the lives of the whites who were present in council were preserved.

In council, the commanding officer informed the Indians that it was his intention to distribute among them, the next day, not only the goods lodged in the United States’ factory, but also the ammunition and provisions, with Which the garrison was well supplied.  He then requested of the Pottowattamies an escort to Fort Wayne, promising them a liberal reward on arriving there, in addition to the presents they were now about to receive.  With many professions of friendship and good will, the savages assented to all be proposed, and promised all he required.

After the council, Mr. Kinzie, who understood well, not only the Indian character, but the present tone of feeling among them, had a long interview with Captain Heald, in hopes of opening his eyes to the present posture of affairs.