In the Current of the Revolution 179 



the wonderful feats of which they had heard to a 

 single favorite hero, not to speak of composing 

 speeches for him. 



It seems though it ought not to be necessary 

 to point out to some recent collectors of back- 

 woods anecdotes the very obvious truths : that with 

 the best intentions in the world the average back- 

 woodsman often has difficulty in describing a con- 

 fused chain of events exactly as they took place; 

 that when the events are described after a long lapse 

 of years many errors are apt to creep in; and that 

 when they are reported from tradition it is the rarest 

 thing imaginable for the report to be correct. 



APPENDIX C TO CHAPTER VII. 



(The following account of the first negotiations of the 

 Americans with the Indians near Vincennes is curious as 

 being the report of one of the Indians ; but it was evidently 

 colored to suit his hearer, for as a matter of fact the Indians 

 of the Wabash were for the time being awed into quiet, the 

 Piankeshaws sided with the Americans, and none of them 

 dared rise until the British approached. Haldimand MSS., 

 Series B, Vol. 122, p. 219.) 



Proceedings of the Rebels at St. Vincennes as 

 related to Lieut. Govr. Hamilton by Neegik an 

 Ottawa War Chief sent forward to gain intelli- 

 gence. Camp at Rocher de Bout I4th Octr. 1778 



On the Rebels first arrival at St. Vincennes they 

 took down the English Flag left there by Lieut. 

 Gen. Abbott, wrapped a large stone in it, and threw 

 it into the Ouabash, saying to the Indians, thus 

 we mean to treat your Father 



