the war to the present time, always advised them (the Indians) to remain quiet, and not take up the hatchet against either side. A newspaper, containing the capitulation of General Burgoyne's army, being found enclosed in the packet, Captain White-Eyes once more rose up, and holding this paper unfolded, with both his hands, so that all could have a view of it, said, 'See, my friends and relatives, this document containeth great events, not the song of a bird, but the truth!'-then, stepping up to me, he gave me his hand, saying, 'you are welcome with us, brother;' when every one present followed his example." Thus White-Eyes again triumphed over his rival; and the chagrin of the latter was the more keen, be cause, relying on the improved prospects of his par ty, he had recently committed himself more openly than ever before. But the spies whom he kept constantly at Goschocking, now brought him the doleful news that the predictions of White-Eyes were all verified. That Chieftain himself completed his success by sending runners, immediately after the Council broke up, to the Shawanese towns on the Scioto, where the tories had already gone for the purpose of trying their game upon that tribe. "Grand-children!" was the laconic message, "ye Shawanese! Some days ago a flock of birds from the East lit at Goschocking, singing a song here which had well nigh proved our ruin. Should these birds, which, on leaving us, took their flight towards Scioto, endeavor to impose their song on you, do not listen to them, for they he! 199 But White-Eyes was not destined to enjoy the result of his labors. In the winter of 1779-80, he visited Pittsburg, for the purpose of consulting with the Indian Agent on the means suitable for preserving peace. He accompanied General McIntosh and his army to Tuscarowas, (where a fort was to be built for the protection of the neutral Indians,) took the small-pox at that place, and soon died. The event produced a sensation almost unprece lented in the Delaware tribe, and throughout a wide region in their vicinity. The intelligence was sent to various contederate or relative tribes, at the distance of hundreds of miles, and counter deputations of conJolence soon came in from all quarters. We shall close this chapter with Mr. Heckewelder's account of the embassy of the Cherokees, which strikingly indicates the reputation acquired by White-Eyes during his life, as well as the great respect subsequently paid to his memory. The deputation, consisting of fourteen men, of whom two were principal chiefs, were accompanied from their country to Goschocking, by a nephew of the late Captain White-Eyes, who, soon after the commencement of the American revolution, had been despatched thither by the Delaware Chiefs, for the purpose of using his endeavors in keeping that nation at peace. When this deputation had arrived within three miles of Goschocking, and within one of Lichtenau, they made a halt for the purpose of having the customary ceremony performed on them. This was done by one of the councillors from the village, who, by an address and with a string of wampum, drew the thorns and briars out of their legs and feet; healed the sores and bruises they had received by hitting against logs; wiped the dust and sweat off their bodies; and cleansed their eyes and ears, so that they night both see and hear well; and finally anointed all their joints, that their limbs might again become supple.* They were then served with victuals brought from Lichtenau, and they continued there the remainder of that day. On the next morning, two of the councillors from Goschocking, deputed for the purpose, informed the missionary and national assistants at Lichtenau, that, by order of their Chiefs, they were to conduct the Cherokee deputation into their village, from whence they were expected to join in the procession to Gos All which ceremonies are performed figuratively chocking, and there attend the cor doling ceremonies; all which being agreed to, these soon brought them on, one leading them in front, and the other bringing up the rear. Arriving within about two hundred yards of the town, and in sight of it, (all marching Indian file), they fired off their pieces, which compliment was instantly returned by the young men of the town, drawn up for the purpose: then raising a melancholy song, they continued singing, until they had reached the long house, purposely built for their reception; yet not without first having lodged their arms against some trees they had passed, at a small distance from the town. Being seated on benches prepared for the purpose (the deputies on the opposite side,)—a dead silence prevailed for about half an hour, and all present east their eyes on the ground. At length one of these Chiefs, named the CROW, rose, and with an air of sorrow, and in a low voice, with his eyes cast up to heaven, spoke to the following effect: "One morning, after having arisen from my sleep, and according to my custom, I stepped out at the door to see what weather we had. I observed at one place in the horizon a dark cloud projecting above the trees; and looking steadfastly for its movement or disappearance, found myself mistaken, since it neither disappeared nor moved from the spot, as other clouds do. Seeing the same cloud successively every morng, and that always in the same place, I began to think what could be the cause of this singular phenomenon; at length it struck me, that as the cloud was lying in the direction that my grandfather dwelt, something might be the matter with him, which caused him grief. Anxious to satisfy myself, I resolved to go to my grandfather, and see if any thing was the matter with him. I accordingly went, steering a course in the direction I had observed the cloud to be. I arrived at my grandfather's, whom I found quite disconsolate, hanging his head and the tears running down his cheeks! Casting my eyes around in the hopes of discovering the cause of his grief, I observed yonder a dwelling closed up, and from which no smoke* appeared to ascend! Looking in another direction, I discovered an elevated spot of fresh earth,f on which nothing was seen growing; and here I found the cause of my grandfather's grief. No won der he is so grieved! No wonder he is weeping and sobbing, with his eyes cast towards the ground!→→ Even I cannot help weeping with my grandfather, seeing in what a situation he is! I cannot proceed for grief!" Here, after having seated himself for about twenty minutes, as though deeply afflicted, he again arose, and receiving from the principal chief, who was seated by his side, a large string of wampum, said: "Grandfather! Lift up your head and hear what your grand-children have to say to you! These having discovered the cause of your grief, it shall be done away! See, grandfather! I level the ground on yonder spot of yellow earth, and put leaves and brush thereon to make it invisible! I also sow seeds on that spot, so that both grass and trees may grow thereon!" (Here handing the string to the Delaware Chiefs in succession, and taking up another, he continued :) "Grandfather!-The seed which I had sown has already taken root; nay, the grass has already covered the ground, and the trees are growing!" (Handing this string, likewise to the Delaware Chief, and taking up a third string of wampum, he added:) "Now, my grandfather, the cause of your grief being removed, let me dry up your tears! I wipe them from your eyes! I place your body, which, by the weight of grief and a heavy heart, is leaning to one side, in its proper posture! Your eyes shall be henceforth clear, and your ears open as formerly! The work is now finished!" Handing this string likewise to the Delaware Chief, he now stepped forward to where the * Meaning no person occupying the house. Chief and his Councillors were seated, and having first shaken hands with these, he next did the same with all present, the whole embassy following his example. This being done, and all again seated as before, the Delaware Chief, Gelelemend,* replied: "Grand-children!-You did not come here in vain! You have performed a good work, in which the Great Spirit assisted you! Your Grandfather make: you welcome with him.” The meeting, having continued nearly three hours then broke up. On the day following, the Chiefs of both nations entered on business relating to their na tional concerns, and finally made a mutual covenant for the continued maintenance of the party and principles of White-Eyes. It is honorable to the American Congress that afte the decease of their best friend among the Indians they took measures for the maintenance and educa tion of his son. On the journals of that body, under date of June 20th, 1785, is the following passage: "Resolved, That Mr. Morgan [TAMENEND, proba bly,] be empowered and requested to_continue th care and direction of George White-Eyes for one year, and that the Board of Treasury take order for the payment of the expenses necessary to carry into execution the views of Congress in this respect." The journal of December, 1775, records an interview of Congress with the father. *Commonly called KILL-BUCK |