she _had_ those ships, to
_give_ him those ships, and they looked on the ground, as if they
expected to find 'em _there_. He put it to 'em whether, setting ships
aside, their country--I reckon he gave 'em good reasons--whether the
United States was ready or able to face a new big war; she having but so
few years back wound up one against England, and being all holds full of
her own troubles. As I said, the strong way he laid it all before 'em
blasted 'em, and when he'd done it was like a still in the woods after a
storm. A little man--but they all looked little--pipes up like a young
rook in a blowed-down nest, "Nevertheless, General, it seems you will be
compelled to fight England." Quick Big Hand wheels on him, "And is there
anything in my past which makes you think I am averse to fighting Great
Britain?"

'Everybody laughed except him. "Oh, General, you mistake us entirely!"
they says. "I trust so," he says. "But I know my duty. We _must_ have
peace with England."

'"At any price?" says the man with the rook's voice.

'"At any price," says he word by word. "Our ships will be searched--our
citizens will be pressed, but----"

'"Then what about the Declaration of Independence?" says one.

'"Deal with facts, not fancies," says Big Hand. "The United States are
in no position to fight England."

'"But think of public opinion," another one starts up. "The feeling
in Philadelphia alone is at fever heat."

[Illustration: They made the sign which no Indian makes outside of the
Medicine Lodges.--P. 171.]

'He held up one of his big hands. "Gentlemen," he says--slow he spoke,
but his voice carried far--"I have to think of our country. Let me
assure you that the treaty with Great Britain will be made though every
city in the Union burn me in effigy."

'"At any price?" the actor-like chap keeps on croaking.

'"The treaty must be made on Great Britain's own terms. What else can I
do?"

'He turns his back on 'em and they looked at each other and slinked off
to the horses, leaving him alone: and then I saw he was an old man. Then
Red Jacket and Cornplanter rode down the clearing from the far end as
though they had just chanced along. Back went Big Hand's shoulders, up
went his head and he stepped forward one single pace with a great deep
Hough! so pleased he was. That was a statelified meeting to
behold--three big men, and two of 'em looking like jewelled images among
the spattle of gay-coloured leaves. I saw my chiefs'