a barbarism which he feared would not be
sanctioned by the great Spirit--and urged that they should be put to
death in, a quicker and milder form.[14]

Black Hoof's speech was warmly received, with the exception of what
referred to the prisoners, and this rather coldly. They were excited to
a powerful degree--their passions were up for revenge--and they could
not bear the idea of sending a prisoner out of the world, without first
enjoying the delight of seeing him writhe under the tortures of the
stake.

Wild-cat next followed Black Hoof, in a brief speech, in which he but
echoed the sentiments of Girty throughout, and received, like his
colleague, an almost universal grunt of approbation. He was succeeded by
one or two others, to the same effect--each urging the burning of the
prisoners--and on their conclusion, no other appearing to speak, the old
chief in the center at once proceeded to decide, by vote, the matter
at issue. Advancing to the warrior nearest the door, he handed him a
war-club, and then resumed his place in the circle, to record the will
of each. He who was in favor of burning the prisoners, struck the
ground fiercely with the weapon in question, and then passed it to his
neighbor; he who was otherwise disposed, passed it quietly, in silence;
thus it went through the whole assemblage--the old chief recording the
vote of each, by cutting a notch on the stick in his hand; those for
mercy being placed on one side, and those for the torture on the
opposite. Some three or four only, besides Black Hoof, passed it
quietly--consequently the sentence of death was carried by a decided
majority. Had there been any doubt in the minds of Younker and Reynolds
as to the result, it would have needed only one glance at Girty, who was
now grinning upon them like a demon, to assure them their doom was
sealed.

The question next came up as to the time and place for executing the
sentence; and after some further debate, it was decided that the old man
should be burnt forthwith, in the village, that their women and children
might have a holiday pastime; but that Algernon must be made a grand
national example of, before the assembled tribes at Upper Sandusky, when
they should be met to receive presents from the British agent.[16] This
latter decision was mainly effected by the eloquence of Black Hoof; who,
from some cause, for which it would be impossible to account--only as a
mysterious working of an overruling Providence