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the country, as the presence of the army might awe the Indians into the fulfilment of their promises. Kiyasuta addressed the several Indians before they dispersed,

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desiring them to be strong in complying with their engagements, that they might wipe away the reproach of the former breach of their faith, and convince their brothers, the English, that they could speak the truth;" adding, "that he would conduct the army to the place appointed for receiving the prisoners."

Shaking hands with the chiefs was declined by Col. Bouquet, at the close of the meeting, telling them by way of apology, as some dissatisfaction was expressed by them," that the English never took their enemies by the hands before peace was finally concluded."

CHAPTER XIV.

Army at Wakautamike—Arrival of Messengers-Letter from Colonel Bradstreet-Arrival of prisoners-Major Smallman-Conference with the Indians re-opened--Speech of Kiyasuta--Speech of Red HawkMeeting of prisoners--Romantic passion of a young Mingo-Army leaves for Fort Pitt-Escape of hostages-Shawnee speech--Close of the "Kiyasuta and Pontiac war."

On the 22d of October, the army, according to agreement to receive the prisoners at Wakautamike, moved on for that place; but, three days after arriving at a place within a mile of the forks of the Muskingum, about thirty miles from where they had conferred with the Indians, they concluded to encamp and await the arrival of the prisoners; being here in the midst of their towns and settlements. "Four redoubts were built opposite to the four angles of the camp; the ground in front was cleared, a store-house erected for the provisions, and likewise a house to receive the Indians, for the purpose of treating of peace, when they should return."

Two days after their arrival a messenger came from Custaloga to inform Colonel Bouquet that he was on his way with his prisoners. About the same time a messenger likewise arrived from Lower Shawnee town bringing the same intelligence.

But it being apprehended that the Shawnees might fail to comply with their promises, from the apparent reluctance manifested by them at the late "congress," one of their own people was sent to inform them of the necessity there was "that they should be punctual as

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to the time fixed;" likewise in performing other par ticulars of their engagements.

The following day the messenger returned, informing Colonel Bouquet, that when "he had proceeded as far as Wakautamike, the chief of that town undertook to proceed with the message himself, and desired him to return and acquaint the English that all his prisoners were ready, and he was going to the lower towns to hasten them."

"October 28th, Peter, the Caughnawaga chief, and twenty Indians of that nation, arrived from Sandusky with a letter from Colonel Bradstreet, in answer to the one which Colonel Bouquet had sent to him from Fort Pitt by the two Indians."

The substance of Colonel Bradstreet's letter was, "that he had settled nothing with the Shawnees and Delawares, nor received any prisoners from them. That he had acquainted all the Indian nations, as far as the Illinois, the bay, etc., with the instructions he had received from General Gage, respecting the peace he had lately made; that he had been on Sandusky lake and up the river as far as navigable for Indian canoes, for near a month; but that he found it impossible to stay longer in these parts; absolute necessity obliging him to turn off the way, etc."

Had not the attention of the different Ohio tribes been directed to Colonel Bouquet as well as a treaty been well nigh concluded by them, it is not easy to say what might have been the consequences attending the withdrawal of Bradstreet's troops; whose presence doubtless had had a most salutary effect in awing and holding the Indians in subjection.

Some time was spent in sending and receiving messages from the surrounding Indian towns, and in re

ceiving prisoners that were daily arriving. While the chiefs, importunate for a ratification of peace, were as often denied by Colonel Bouquet, who still repeated that he could not extend his hand to them while a single captive remained undelivered.

When the 9th November had come, most of the prisoners that could be expected that season were arrived. The number already brought in was two hundred and six;* but about one hundred were stil! in the hands of the Shawnees, which they promised to deliver the ensuing spring.

Major Smallman, formerly of the Pennsylvania troops, and taken by the Wyandots during the past summer, and delivered to the Shawnees, was among those brought in. He informed Bouquet "that the reason that the Shawnees did not bring the remainder of the prisoners was, that many of their principal men, to whom they belonged, were gone to trade with the French, and would not return for six weeks, but that every one of their nation who were at home had either brought or sent theirs."

This gentleman likewise gave some startling accounts of the intentions of the Shawnees towards their prisoners on the approach of the army into their country. It had been reported that troops were coming with an intention to destroy them all; upon which they had resolved to kill all their prisoners and give battle. In consequence of which, a French trader who was

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among them had presented them with a quantity of powder and ball. But happily just at the moment the Shawnees were preparing to execute their design, a messenger arrived from Bouquet informing them of his errand to make peace with them, in consequence of which they desisted from their cruel purpose.

Colonel Bouquet, November 9th, now, with most of the officers, assembled in "the conference-house" to transact their business with the Indians. A treaty with the Delawares and Senecas was first opened. Custaloga with twenty warriors represented the former, and Kiyasuta and ten warriors the latter.

Kiyasuta rose with the wampum in his hand, and spoke as follows:

"With this string of wampum we wipe the tears from your eyes we deliver you these three prisoners, which are the last of your flesh and blood that remained among the Senecas and Custaloga's tribe of the Delawares. We gather together and bury with this belt all the bones of the people that have been killed during this unhappy war, which the evil spirit has occasioned amongst us. We cover the bones that have been buried, that they may never more be remembered. We again cover their place with leaves, that it may be no more seen. As we have been long astray, and the path between you and us stopped, we extend this belt that it again may be cleared, and we may travel in peace to see our brethren as our ancestors formerly did. While you hold it safe by one end and we by the other, we shall always be able to discover anything that may disturb our friendship."

Colonel Bouquet replied

"I have heard you with pleasure; I receive these three last prisoners you have to deliver, and join you