328 MICHILLIMACKINAC. [1761. 



cies. Some had feathers thrust through their 

 noses, and their heads decorated with the same. 

 It is unnecessary to dwell on the sensations with 

 which I beheld the approach of this uncouth, if 

 not frightful assemblage. 



" The chief entered first, and the rest followed 

 without noise. On receiving a sign from the for- 

 mer, the latter seated themselves on the floor. 



" Minavavana appeared to be about fifty years 

 of age. He was six feet in height, and had in his 

 countenance an indescribable mixture of good and 

 evil. Looking steadfastly at me, where I sat in 

 ceremony, with an interpreter on either hand, and 

 several Canadians behind me, he entered, at the 

 same time, into conversation with Campion, inquir- 

 ing how long it was since I left Montreal, and ob- 

 serving that the English, as it would seem, were 

 brave men, and not afraid of death, since they 

 dared to come, as I had done, fearlessly among 

 their enemies. 



" The Indians now gravely smoked their pipes, 

 while I inwardly endured the tortures of suspense. 

 At length, the pipes being finished, as well as a 

 long pause, by which they were succeeded, Mina- 

 vavana, taking a few^ strings of wampum in his 

 hand, began the following speech : — 



'- ' Englishman, it is to you that I speak, and I 

 demand your attention. 



'' ' Englishman, you know that the French King 

 is our father. He promised to be such ; and we, 

 in return, promised to be his children. This prom- 

 ise we have kept. 



