“Evacuate the post if practicable, and in that event distribute the property belonging to the United States in the Fort, and in the factory or agency, to the Indians in the neighborhood.”

There was a pause as he concluded.  Captain Wells spoke first.

“To my mind, these orders are not positive, and leave much to your discretion.  Who brought the message, and when?”

“A Wyandot named Winnemeg.  He reached here on the ninth.”

“I have heard the name, and believe him worthy of confidence.  Did you advise with him?”

“Ay!  Though he had no oral message from General Hull, he counselled immediate evacuation.  I also felt such action to be wise; but things were in such condition within the Fort,—­so large a number of helpless women and children to be provided for, and so heavy a proportion of the garrison on the sick-list,—­that I found it impossible to act promptly.  The Indians gathered so rapidly without, and assumed so hostile a manner, that I thought it suicidal to attempt a march through the wilderness, encumbered as we should be, without some positive understanding with their chiefs.”

“I can easily comprehend all this, and that you have sought to act for the best,” was Wells’s comment; “but I fail to realize how you hoped to appease those same Indians by the wanton destruction last night of the liquor thrown into the river.  It was done in direct opposition to the orders you have just read, and is bound to increase the hatred of the savages.  You may be sure they are not ignorant of the contents of your despatch, and must resent the destruction of property they consider their own.”

“’Twas done upon the advice of two of their leading chiefs.”

“Indeed!  Which two?”

“Topenebe and Little Sauk.”

“The two biggest devils in that whole Pottawattomie camp, and the head and front of their war-party!  Their purpose is clear enough to my mind, and seamed with treachery.  Well, Heald, from my knowledge of Indian nature I must say that whoever goes forth now to confer with yonder redskins has a desperate mission; but if you are still determined upon such a conference, I will take my chances with you.  ’T is given unto man but once to die.”

“No, William,” replied Captain Heald, with more firmness.  “It is your part to remain here in protection of your niece, my wife; and if my own officers refuse to volunteer in this service, I shall go forth alone to meet the chiefs.  It is my duty as commandant.”

“Two of your officers are here,” said Wells, “and they can probably answer for themselves.  Ensign Ronan is not present.”

“He is acting as officer of the day,” returned Heald, somewhat stiffly, “and is therefore not eligible for such service.  Perhaps one of the officers here present possesses courage enough for the venture?”

Apparently neither cared to express himself, after such an insinuation.  At last one, whose voice I recognized as that of Surgeon Van Voorhis, gave utterance to his refusal.