• NAREATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION". 79 



among tlie chiefs. Some appeared in favor of settling a boundary 

 to the ancient precinct of French occupancy, j)rovided it ^vas not 

 intended to be occupied by a garrison, saying, in the symbolic 

 language of Indians, that they were afraid, in that case, their young 

 men might kill the cattle of the garrison. Gov. Cass, under- 

 standing this, replied that, as to the establishment of a garrison, 

 they need not give themselves any uneasiness — it was a settled 

 point, and so sure as the sun that was then rising would set, so 

 sure would there be an American garrison sent to that point, 

 whether they renewed the grant or not. This decisive language 

 had a sensible effect. High words followed between the chiefs. 

 The head chief of the band, Shingabawossin, a tall, stately man, of 

 prudent views, evidently sided with the moderates, and was eva- 

 sive in his speech. A chief called Shingwauk, or the Little Pine, 

 who had conducted the last war party from the village in 1814, 

 was inclined to side with the hostiles. There was a chief present 

 called Sassaba, a tall, martial-looking man, of the reigning family 

 of chiefs of the Crane Totem, who had lost a brother in the bat- 

 tle of the Thames. He .wore a scarlet uniform, with epaulets, 

 and nourished a deep resentment against the United States. He 

 stuck his war lance furiously in the ground before him, at the 

 beginning of his harangue, and, assuming a savage wildness of air, 

 appeared to produce a corresponding effect upon the other Indian 

 speakers, and employed the strongest gesticulation. His address 

 brought Ae deliberations to a close, after they had continued 

 , some hours, by a defiant tone ; and, as he left the marquee^ he 

 kicked away the presents laid before the council. Great agitation 

 ensued. The council was then summarily dissolved, the Indians 

 went to their hill, and we to our tents. 



It has been stated that the encampment of the Indians was 

 _situated on an eminence a few hundred yards west from our po- 

 sition on the shore, and separated from us by a small ravine. We 

 had scarcely reached our tents, when it was announced that the 

 Indians had raised the British flag in their camp. They felt their 

 superiority in number, and did not disguise their insolence. 

 Affairs had reached a crisis. A conflict seemed inevitable. 

 Governor Cass instantly ordered the expedition under arms. 

 He then called the interpreter, and proceeded with him, naked- 



