“Good; the red skins would make peace; and although the arm of the Saganaw is strong, he will not turn a deaf ear to their desire.”

“All the strong holds of the Saganaw, except two, have fallen before the great chief of the Ottawas!” proudly returned the Indian, with a look of mingled scorn and defiance.  “They, too, thought themselves beyond the reach of our tomahawks; but they were deceived.  In less than a single moon nine of them have fallen, and the tents of my young warriors are darkened with their scalps; but this is past.  If the red skin asks for peace, it is because he is tired of seeing the blood of the Saganaw on his tomahawk.  Does my father hear?”

“We will listen to the great chief of the Ottawas, and hear what he has to say,” returned the governor, who, as well as the officers at his side, could with difficulty conceal their disgust and sorrow at the dreadful intelligence thus imparted of the fates of their companions.  “But peace,” he pursued with dignity, “can only be made in the council room, and under the sacred pledge of the calumet.  The great chief has a wampum belt on his shoulder, and a calumet in his hand.  His aged warriors, too, are at his side.  What says the Ottawa?  Will he enter?  If so, the gate of the Saganaw shall be open to him.”

The warrior started; and for a moment the confidence that had hitherto distinguished him seemed to give place to an apprehension of meditated treachery.  He, however, speedily recovered himself, and observed emphatically, “It is the great head of all the nations whom my father invites to the council seat.  Were he to remain in the hands of the Saganaw, his young men would lose their strength.  They would bury the hatchet for ever in despair, and hide their faces in the laps of their women.”

“Does the Ottawa chief see the pale flag on the strong hold of his enemies.  While that continues to fly, he is safe as if he were under the cover of his own wigwam.  If the Saganaw could use guile like the fox” (and this was said with marked emphasis), “what should prevent him from cutting off the Ottawa and his chiefs, even where they now stand?”

A half smile of derision passed over the dark cheek of the Indian.  “If the arm of an Ottawa is strong,” he said, “his foot is not less swift.  The short guns of the chiefs of the Saganaw” (pointing to the pistols of the officers) “could not reach us; and before the voice of our father could be raised, or his eye turned, to call his warriors to his side, the Ottawa would be already far on his way to the forest.”

“The great chief of the Ottawas shall judge better of the Saganaw,” returned the governor.—­“He shall see that his young men are ever watchful at their posts:—­Up, men, and show yourselves.”

A second or two sufficed to bring the whole, of Captain Erskine’s company, who had been lying flat on their faces, to their feet on the rampart.  The Indians were evidently taken by surprise, though they evinced no fear.  The low and guttural “Ugh!” was the only expression they gave to their astonishment, not unmingled with admiration.