The reason for this Indian alarm and projected excursion was the
fact that the settlers had built one fort at least on the Indian
lands. Stuart finally persuaded the Indians to remain at peace
until he could write to the settlers stating the grievances and
asking for negotiations. The letters were to be carried by Thomas
on his return.
But no sooner was Thomas on his way again with the letters than
there arrived a deputation of warriors from the Northern
tribes--from "the Confederate nations, the Mohawks, Ottawas,
Nantucas, Shawanoes and Delawares"--fourteen men in all, who
entered the council hall of the Old Beloved Town of Chota with
their faces painted black and the war belt carried before them.
They said that they had been seventy days on their journey.
Everywhere along their way they had seen houses and forts
springing up like, weeds across the green sod of their hunting
lands. Where once were great herds of deer and buffalo, they had
watched thousands of men at arms preparing for war. So many now
were the white warriors and their women and children that the red
men had been obliged to travel a great way on the other side of
the Ohio and to make a detour of nearly three hundred miles to
avoid being seen. Even on this outlying route they had crossed
the fresh tracks of a great body of people with horses and cattle
going still further towards the setting sun.
Pages:
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179