1764, Nov.] SPEECH OF THE INDIAN ORATOR. 225 



Band after band of captives had been daily arriv- 

 ing, until upwards of two hundred were now 

 collected in the camp ; including, as far as could 

 be ascertained, all who had been in the hands of 

 the Indians, excepting those belonging to the 

 absent warriors of the Shawanoes. Up to this 

 time, Bouquet had maintained a stern and rigorous 

 demeanor ; repressing his natural clemency and 

 humanity, refusing all friendly intercourse with 

 the Indians, and telling them that he should treat 

 them as enemies until they had fully complied with 

 all the required conditions. In this, he displayed 

 his knowledge of their character ; for, like all war- 

 like savages, they are extremely prone to interpret 

 lenity and moderation into timidity and indecision ; 

 and he who, from good-nature or mistaken phi- 

 lanthropy, is betrayed into yielding a point which 

 he has before insisted on, may have deep cause to 

 rue it. As their own dealings with their enemies 

 are not leavened with such humanizing ingredients, 

 they can seldom comprehend them ; and to win 

 over an Indian foe by kindness should only be 

 attempted by one who has already proved clearly 

 that he is able and ready to subdue him by force. 



But now, when every condition was satisfied, 

 such inexorable rigor was no longer demanded ; 

 and, having convoked the chiefs in the sylvan coun- 

 cil-house. Bouquet signified his willingness to re- 

 ceive their offers of peace. 



" Brother," began the Indian orator, " with this 

 belt of wampum I dispel the black cloud that has 

 hung so long over our heads, that the sunshine of 



VOL. 11. 15 



