1701.] THE GRAND COUNCIL. 449 



ground ; and, when he stopped before the governor, 

 they seated themselves at his feet. " You asked 

 us for our prisoners/' he said, " and here they are. 

 I set them free because you wish it, and I regard 

 them as my brothers." Then turning to the Iro- 

 quois deputies : " Know that if I pleased I might 

 have eaten them ; but I have not done as you 

 would have done. Eemember this when we meet, 

 and let us be friends." The Iroquois ejaculated 

 their approval. 



Next came a Huron chief, followed by eight 

 Iroquois prisoners, who, as he declared, had been 

 bought at great cost, in kettles, guns, and blankets, 

 from the families who had adopted them. "We 

 thought that the Iroquois would have done by us as 

 w r e have done by them \ and we were astonished 

 to see that they had not brought us our prisoners. 

 Listen to me, my father, and you, Iroquois, listen. 

 I am not sorry to make peace, since my father 

 wishes it, and I will live in peace with him and 

 with you." Thus, in turn, came the spokesmen of 

 all the tribes, delivering their prisoners and making 

 their speeches. The Miami orator said : " I am 

 very angry with the Iroquois, who burned my son 

 some years ago ; but to-day I forget all that. My 

 father's will is mine. I will not be like the Iro- 

 quois, who have disobeyed his voice." The orator 

 of the Mississagas came forward, crowned with the 

 head and horns of a young bison bull, and, pre- 

 senting his prisoners, said : " I place them in your 

 hands. Do with them as you like. I am only too 

 proud that you count me among your allies." 



29 



