1645.] SPEECH OF KIOTSATON. 287 



or squatting on the ground. On the right hand 

 and on the left were Hurons mingled with French- 

 men. In the midst was a large open space like 

 the arena of a prize-ring ; and here were planted 

 two poles with a line stretched from one to the 

 other, on which, in due time, were to be hung the 

 wampum belts that represented the words of the 

 orator. For the present, these belts were in part 

 hung about the persons of the two ambassadors, 

 and in part stored in a bag carried by one of them. 



When all was ready, Kiotsaton arose, strode into 

 the open space, and, raising his tall figure erect, 

 stood looking for a moment at the sun. Then he 

 gazed around on the assembly, took a wampum belt 

 in his hand, and began : — 



" Onontio, give ear. I am the mouth of all my 

 nation. When you listen to me, you listen to all 

 the Iroquois. There is no evil in my heart. My 

 song is a song of peace. We have many war-songs 

 in our country ; but we have thrown them all away, 

 and now we sing of nothing but gladness and re- 

 joicing." 



Hereupon he began to sing, his countrymen 

 joining with him. He walked to and fro, gesticu- 

 lated towards the sky, and seemed to apostrophize 

 the sun ; then, turning towards the Governor, re 

 sumed his harangue. Fu'st he thanked him for 

 the life of the Iroquois prisoner released in the 

 spring, but blamed him for sending him home with- 

 out company or escort. Then he led forth the 

 young Frenchman,. Guillaume Couture, and tied a 

 wampum belt to his arm. 



