224: pioneer life; ok, 



own country, for fear of wicked men, and come here 

 to enjoy their religions. They asked for a small 

 seat ; we took pity on them granted their request, 

 and they sat down among us : we gave them corn 

 and meat ; they gave us poison in return. 



The white people had now found our country, 

 tidings were carried back, and more came among us, 

 yet we did not fear them, we took them to be friends; 

 they called us brothers ; we believed them, and 

 gave them a larger seat. At length their numbers 

 had greatly increased ; they wanted more land ; they 

 wanted our country. Our eyes were opened, and 

 our minds became uneasy. Wars took place; In- 

 dians were hired to fight against Indians; and many 

 of our people were destroyed. They also brought 

 strong liquors among us ; it was strong and powerful, 

 and has slain thousands. 



" Brother, our seats were once large, and yours 

 were very small ; you have now become a great 

 people, and we have scarcely a place left to spread 

 our blankets ; you have got our country, but are not 

 satisfied ; you want to force your religion upon us. 



Brother, continue to listen. You say that you are 

 sent to instruct us how to worship the Great Spirit 

 agreeably to his mind, and if we do not take hold 

 of the religion you white people teach, we shall be 

 unhappy hereafter ; you say that you are right, and 

 we are lost; how do we know this to be true? We 

 understand that your religion is written in a book; 

 if it was intended for us as well as you, why has not 

 the Great Spirit given it to us, and not only to us, 



