ary, at all risks, to try to
put an end to a conflict that might no doubt cause the death of many
men. How could I do so with my ten guards? Dare I pretend to impose my
will as law on this vast multitude? Clearly not. To attempt to do it
by force would be to sacrifice all: what was to be done? Arm all my
Indians--but I had not boats enough to carry them to Talem: in this
difficulty I decided upon setting out alone with my lieutenant. We
took our arms, and set sail in a canoe, that we steered ourselves; we
had scarcely come near the beach within hail of the shore, when some
armed Indians called out to us to stand off, otherwise they would fire
upon us. Without paying attention to this threat, my lieutenant and I,
some minutes later, jumped boldly on shore, and after a few steps we
found ourselves in the midst of the combatants.

I went immediately up to the chiefs and addressed them, "Wretched
men," I said to them, "what are you going to do? It is upon you who
command that the severity of the law will fall. It is still time:
try to deserve your pardon. Order your men to give me up their arms;
lay down your own, or else in a few minutes I will place myself at
the head of your enemies to fight against you. Obey, if not you will
be treated as rebels."

They listened attentively to me; they were half conquered. However,
one of them made me this reply:

"And if you take away our arms who will satisfy us that our enemies
will not come to attack us?"

"I will," I told them; "I give you my word; and if they do not obey
me as you are going to do, I will return to you, I will give you back
your arms, and will fight at your head."

These words, said with a tone of authority and command, produced the
effect I expected. The chiefs, without uttering a word, laid their
arms at my feet. Their example was followed by all the combatants,
and, in a moment, a heap of carabines, guns, spears, and cutlasses
were laid down before me. I appointed ten among these individuals
who had just obeyed me, gave them each a gun, and told them:

"I confide to you the care of these arms. If anyone attempts to take
possession of them, fire upon the assailants."

I pretended to take down their names, and went off to the opposite
camp, where I found all the combatants on foot, ready to march and
fight against their enemies. I stopped them, saying:

"The battle is over--your enemies are disarmed. You, too, must give
me up your arms, or else immediate