In the Current of the Revolution 79 



For the first two or three days no conclusion was 

 reached, though there was plenty of speech-making. 

 But on the night of the third a party of turbulent 

 warriors 29 endeavored to force their way into the 

 house where he was lodging, and to carry him off. 

 Clark, who, as he records, had been "under some ap- 

 prehensions among such a number of Devils," was 

 anticipating treachery. His guards were at hand, 

 and promptly seized the savages; while the towns- 

 people took the alarm and were under arms in a 

 couple of minutes, thus convincing the Indians that 

 their friendship for the Americans was not feigned. 



Clark instantly ordered the French militia to put 

 the captives, both chiefs and warriors, in irons. He 

 had treated the Indians well, and had not angered 

 them by the harshness and brutality that so often 

 made them side against the English or Americans 

 and in favor of the French; but he knew that any 

 signs of timidity would be fatal. His boldness and 

 decision were crowned with complete success. The 

 crestfallen prisoners humbly protested that they 

 were only trying to find out if the French were really 

 friendly to Clark, and begged that they might be re- 

 leased. He answered with haughty indifference, 

 and refused to release them, even when the chiefs 

 of the other tribes came up to intercede. Indians 

 and whites alike were in the utmost confusion, every 

 man distrusting what the moment might bring forth. 

 Clark continued seemingly wholly unmoved, and did 

 not even shift his lodgings to the fort, remaining 



29 "A party of Puans and others." Clark's letter to Mason. 



