1763, Mat.] A CURIOUS INCIDENT. 9 



The Moravian Loskiel relates that in the viUages 

 of the Hurons or Wyandots, meaning probably 

 those of Sandusky, the traders were so numerous 

 that the Indians were afraid to attack them openly, 

 and had recourse to the following stratagem : They 

 told their unsuspecting victims that the surrounding 

 tribes had risen in arms, and were soon coming that 

 way, bent on killing every Englishman they could 

 find. The Wyandots averred that they would 

 gladly protect their friends, the white men ; but 

 that it would be impossible to do so, unless the 

 latter would consent, for the sake of appearances, 

 to become their prisoners. In this case, they said, 

 the hostile Indians would refrain from injuring 

 them, and they should be set at liberty as soon 

 as the danger was past. The traders fell into the 

 snare. They gave up their arms, and, the better 

 to carry out the deception, even consented to be 

 bound ; but no sooner was this accomplished, than 

 their treacherous counsellors murdered them all in 

 cold blood. ^ 



A curious incident, relating to this period, is 

 given by the missionary Heckewelder. Strange 

 as the story may appear, it is in strict accordance 

 with Indian character and usage, and perhaps need 

 not be rejected as wholly void of truth. The name 

 of the person, to whom it relates, several times 

 occurs in the manuscript journals and correspond- 

 ence of officers in the Indian country. A trader 

 named Chapman was made prisoner by the Indians 

 near Detroit. For some time, he was protected by 



1 Loskiel, 99. 



