Presently rose a headman whose
wife had been a member of Sir William Johnson's household. He
laid his hand on the belt and sang the war song. One by one,
then, chiefs and warriors rose, laid hold of the great belt and
chanted the war song. Only the older men, made wise by many
defeats, sat still in their places, mute and dejected. "After
that day every young fellow's face in the overhills towns
appeared blackened and nothing was now talked of but war."
Stuart reports that "all the white men" in the tribe also laid
hands on the belt. Dragging Canoe then demanded that Cameron and
Stuart come forward and take hold of the war belt--"which we
refused." Despite the offense their refusal gave--and it would
seem a dangerous time to give such offense--Cameron delivered a
"strong talk" for peace, warning the Cherokees of what must
surely be the end of the rashness they contemplated. Stuart
informed the chief that if the Indians persisted in attacking the
settlements with out waiting for answers to his letters, he would
not remain with them any longer or bring them any more
ammunition. He went to his house and made ready to leave on the
following day. Early the next morning Dragging Canoe appeared at
his door and told him that the Indians were now very angry about
the letters he had written, which could only have put the
settlers on their guard; and that if any white man attempted to
leave the nation "they had determined to follow him but NOT TO
BRING HIM BACK.
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