374 EXPEDITION TO THE 



his style more dignified and decisive. We have preserved 

 the following very imperfect sketch of this speech : — 



" Brothers, The subject, upon which I am to address 

 you, is grievous to me ; and this grief is the motive which 

 has thus far prevented me from speaking to you. Since 

 the lamented death of my revered uncle, who died last 

 year, I have been called upon to succeed to him, but as I 

 am not endued with experience to know how to direct my- 

 self, I shall follow the advice which I have received from 

 him, and therefore I rejoice at seeing you, and I am grati- 

 fied by your visit. 



" I regret that my followers are now all absent. This 

 is not the season when we the Indians are together ; this is 

 our hunting season. In the autumn, we collect in our vil- 

 lages to meet the traders. Had you seen us thus collect- 

 ed, you would have found me at the head of a large and 

 powerful band of men ; at present I am alone ; still I am 

 pleased to see you. 



"Brothers, There are two roads which we the Daco- 

 tas usually travel ; my uncle trod both these paths. The 

 first led him to the British, far towards the rising sun. 

 From them he received both kindness and honour; they 

 made him many presents, among which were flags and 

 medals. The other road led him to the Americans at St. 

 Louis ; this road he subsequently travelled. From them 

 he, in like manner, received flags and medals. These he 

 has bequeathed all to me. 



" I should have unfurled my flags at your approach, but 

 I am unacquainted with the customs of your nation, and 

 I am new in the duties of my rank. I am ignorant how 

 to act ; but I am desirous of following the advice of my 

 dying uncle, who bade me remain at peace with the Ame- 



