nds
here."

The arrival of Uncle Jeff produced a great improvement in the state of
affairs. The Indians had all heard of him, and Winnemak treated him
with the greatest respect. Uncle Jeff was indeed likely to exercise a
beneficial influence over the tribe. He told them that although men had
a right to defend themselves against their enemies, the Great Spirit
disliked their making war one upon another; that he wished them all to
live at peace with their fellow-creatures; to provide proper food,
clothing, and shelter for their squaws and papooses; and that the Great
Spirit intended that they should cultivate the ground, and not depend
upon the precarious supply which the chase afforded. Uncle Jeff told
them also that the Great Spirit loved them all, and wished them to be
his children; that they were very wicked, but that he was ready to
forgive them, and had sent One on earth, his own dear Son, who had
consented to be punished instead of them, that he might become their
Elder Brother, and that they might enjoy the affection and privileges
bestowed by the Father upon his children.

Uncle Jeff was not much of a preacher, but, as he said, he might manage
to break ground, so that any missionary coming after him would be more
likely to be well received.

Clarice did not fail to talk to Maysotta on the same subject; and the
Indian girl appeared to take in the truths of the gospel much more
readily than did the men of her tribe.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Although the camp was pitched in a tolerably secure position, both Uncle
Jeff and Winnemak considered it necessary to send out scouts in order to
ascertain what the enemy were about.

Lieutenant Broadstreet, who had no longer any excuse for remaining with
us, felt that it was his duty to proceed, with the two troopers, on his
journey. But he was evidently very unwilling to leave Clarice; and I
suspect that she also had no wish to let him go.

"I cannot tell to what dangers you may be exposed, and I shall be in a
miserable state of anxiety until I once more have the happiness of
seeing you," he said to her. "My intention is to point out the state of
affairs to the commandant at Fort Harwood, and induce him to obtain such
a body of troops as will effectually overawe the savages and drive them
back to the southward, so that your uncle and other settlers may be able
to resume possession of their property, and for the fu