The Columbian fountain., 1846-07-24
Rev J.T. WARD, Assistant Editor.
PRICE R ONE CENT.

dies in ChristeDdom. tah2tF
i was an alarming evidence Of the tenn
per now prevailing among them, and Of the
brooding storm that filed their minds, that
no propriety Of demeanor marked the en-
trance of the savages into the council room.
The usual formalities were forgotten, or
purposely dispensed with, and an insulting
ievlty substituted in its place. The chiefs
and braves stalked in, with an appearance
of slight regard, and seated themselves pro-
miscuously on the floor, in front of the
commissioners. An air of insolence mark
ca all their movements, and showed an in
tenton. to dictate terms, or to fix a quarrel
upon the Americans. .t6g a
A dead silence reigned over the group; it
was the silence Of dread distrust, and watch
fulness; not Of respect. The eyes Of the
savage band gloated upon the banquet Of
blood that seemed already spread out before
them; the pillage Of the fort and the bleed
ing scalps of the Americans, were almost
in their grasp; while that gallant little band
saw the portentious nature Of the crisis, and
stood ready to sell their lives as dearly as
possible. ta ~
The commissioners, without noticing the
dlsorderly conduct of the other party, or
appearing to have discovered their aedita-
ted treachery, opened the couacl in due
form. They lighted the peace-pipe, and af-
ter drawing a few whiffs, passed it to the
chiefs, who received it. Col. Clark then
rose to explain the purpose for which the
treaty was ordered. With an unembarrass-
ed air-with the tone Of one accustomed 10
command, and the easy assurance Of perfect
security, and self-possession, he stated that
the commissioners had been sent to offer
peace to the Shawnees; and that the Presi-
dent had no wish to continue the war; he
had no resentment to crafty; and that, If
the red men desired peace, they cculd have
it on liberal terms. eff such be the will of
the Shawnees,'' he continued, 'slet some
OF the wise men speak" ~
A chief arose, drew up his tall person to
its full height, and assuming a naughty at
titude, threw his eye contemptuously over
the commissioners and their small re,inue
as if TO measure aheir r.insignifcanca in COM
parison with his own numerous train, and
then stalking 10 the table, threw upon il 9
belts of wampum, Of different colors, the
war and the peace belt. .."e
sWe cone," he exclaimed, "to offer you
two belts of wampum; they are oftwo diff
ferent colors; you know what they mean;
you can take which you like ;" And turn q
ing upon his heel, resumed his seat Bs
The chiefs drew themselves up in the
consciousness Of having hurled defiance in
the teeth of the white men. They had Of
fered an insult to the renowned leader of
the Long Knives, to which they knew it
would be hard for him to submit, while
they did not suppose he would dare to re-
sent it. The council-pipe was laid aside.
These fierce wild men gazed intently at
Clarke. The American saw that the crisis
had arrived; they could no longer doubt
that the Indians understood the advantage
they possessed, and were disposed to use
it /; and common sense of danger caused
each eye to turn on the leading commis-
sioner. He sat undisturbed, apparently
careless, until the chief who had thrown
the belts upon the table had taken his seat;
then, with small cane which he held in
his hand, he reached, as if plafully, towards
the war belt, entangling the end of the
stick in it, drew'it towards him, and then
with atwich of the cane, threw the belt in
midst Of the chiefs, The effect was cleo
trio. Every man in counsel, of each party,
sprang to their feet; the savages with a
loud exclamation of astonishment Hugh =
the Americans in expectation of hopeless
conflict, against overwhelming numbers
Every hand graspeda weapon.
Clark alone was unawed The express
n:..~ of Lo. oo,,n,ananca chanuad in a fare