ly the Indians were very much excited at this new order of
things, and so there were many councils and much speech-making. A good
deal of curiosity was expressed to know what benefits would result, and
how much money would be received by each of them. While there was still
much uncertainty about these things, it had become well known that the
one selected to be chief would fare very well. He would have more money
and presents than any other. He would be presented with a silver medal
with the face of the "Great Mother," the Queen, upon it, and would be
honoured with the personal friendship of the Governor, and with other
honours naturally dear to the Indian.

After many councils the people came to the almost unanimous conclusion
that Big Tom should be their chief. In a full council, with much
ceremony, they offered him the position. Instead of seizing the
proffered honours with avidity, his face became very grave, and it was
evident he was full of suppressed emotion. When he arose, as all
supposed, to indicate his acceptance of the position, and to express his
thanks, they were very much surprised to hear him quietly say that he
could not answer fully now, but desired a day to think it over. So he
asked the council to adjourn until the following morning.

Of course this request was complied with, and, full of curiosity, the
people thronged the building the next day. I had naturally taken a deep
interest in the matter, as, next to their spiritual interests, I was
anxious to do all I could for their temporal welfare. So I attended
many of their meetings. The council was opened in due form, and then
Big Tom arose to give his answer. He began quietly and slowly, but
warmed up a good deal before he ended.

He spoke, in substance, as follows:--

"Long ago, when the Missionaries came and preached to us, for a time we
refused to listen to them, and would not become Christians. Then, after
a while, many of us who had been in the darkness began to feel in our
hearts that what they told us was for our good; and so we accepted of
these things, and they have done us good. When I got the assurance in
my heart that I was a child of God, and had a soul that should live for
ever, I found that in working out its salvation I had something great to
live for. To do this was the great object of my life. By-and-by I
married, and then, as my family increased and began to grow up around
me, I found I had another object for whi