80 NARRATIVE OF THE EXPEDITION. 



handed and alone, to Sassaba's lodge at the hostile camp. Being 

 armed with short rifles, we requested to be allowed to accompany 

 him as a body-guard, but he decidedly refused this. On reaching 

 the lodge of the hostile chief, before whose door the flag had 

 been raised, he pulled it down with his own hands. He then 

 entered the lodge, and addressing the chief calmly but firmly, told 

 him that it was an indignity which they could not be permitted 

 to offer ; that the flag was the distinguishing symbol of nationality ; 

 that two flags of diverse kind could not wave in peace upon the 

 same territory ; that they were forbid the use of any but our own, 

 and should they again attempt it, the United States would set a 

 strong foot upon their rock and crush them. He then brought 

 the captured flag with him to his tent. 



In a few moments after his return from the Indian camp, that 

 camp was cleared by the Indians of their women and children, 

 who fled with precipitation in their canoes across the river. Thus 

 prepared for battle, we momently expected to hear the war-whoop. 

 I had myself examined and filled my shot-pouch, and stood ready, 

 rifle in hand, \vith my companions, awaiting their attack. But 

 we waited in vain. It was an hour of indecision among the 

 Indians. They deliberated, doubtingly, and it soon became evident 

 that the crisis had passed. Finding no hostile demonstration 

 from the hill, Lieuts. Pierce and Mackay directed their respective 

 commands to retire to their tents. 



The intrepid act of Governor Cass had struck the Indians with 

 amazement, while it betokened a knowledge of Indian character 

 of which we never dreamed. This people possess a singular 

 respect for bravery. The march of our force, on that occasion, 

 would have been responded to, instantly, by eighty or a hun- 

 dred Indian guns ; but to behold an unarmed man walk boldly 

 into their camp and seize the symbol of their power, betokened 

 a cast of character which brought them to reflection. On one 

 person in particular the act had a controlling effect. "When it 

 was told to the daughter of Wabojeeg (Mrs. Johnston), she told 

 the chief that their meditated scheme of resistance to the Ame- 

 ricans was madness ; the day for such resistance was passed ; and 

 this man, Cass, had the air of a great man, and could carry 

 his flag through the country. The party were also under the 

 hospitality of her roof. She counselled peace. To these words 



