to this place, and we did so, and you promised to take care of
them and that they should want for nothing, while the men would
go and fight the enemy; that we need not trouble ourselves about
the enemy's garrisons; that we knew nothing about them and that
our father would attend to that part of the business. You also
told your red children that you would take good care of your
garrison here, which made our hearts glad.

Listen! When you were last at the Rapids, it is true we gave
you little assistance. It is hard to fight people who live like
ground hogs.

Father, listen! Our fleet has gone out; we know they have fought;
we have heard the great guns; but we know nothing of what has
happened to 'our father with the one arm.' Our ships have gone
one way, and we are much astonished to see our father tying up
everything and preparing to run away the other, without letting
his red children know what his intentions are. You always told
us to remain here and take care of your lands; it made our hearts
glad to hear that was your wish. Our great father, the king,
is the head, and you represent him. You always told us you would
never draw your foot off British ground; but now, father, we
see that you are drawing back, and we are sorry to see our father
doing so, without seeing the enemy. We must compare our father's
conduct to a fat dog that carries its tail on its back, but when
affrighted drops it between its legs and runs off.

Father, listen! The Americans have not yet defeated us by land,
neither are we sure they have done so by water; _we, therefore,
wish to remain here and fight our enemy should they make their
appearance_. If they defeat us, we will then retreat with our
father.

At the battle of the Rapids, last war, the Americans certainly
defeated us; and when we returned to our father's fort at that
place, the gates were shut against us. We were afraid it would
again be the case, but instead of closing the gates we now see
our British father preparing to march out of his garrison.

Father, you have the arms and ammunition which our great father
sent for his red children. If you intend to retreat, give them
to us, and you may go, and welcome, for us. Our lives are in the
hands of the Great Spirit. We are determined to defend our lands,
and if it be His will, we wish to leave our bones upon them.

Th