SWanton) INDIAN TUIBKS OF IIIK LOWKR MISSISSIPI'I VALLKV 215 



for that rciisdii it \v:is of tlic iitiiinst iiiiiMH-taiicc for the nation to K*'t ri<l 

 of him. 



The Tattooccl-sorpenl snhniiltcd to all that was exacted of him. and demarnhnl 

 only throe days for its execution, which were j^ranted him. Two days after- 

 ward he did in fact brinjij the head of Old-hair, and the next day that of the 

 negro. Then the commandant, seeing the war ended, left orders, as well to 

 the commandant of Fort Ilosalie as to the great chief of the savages, and 

 returned to tlie capital, after having reestahlishod jieace and tran(iuillity in 

 these parts." 



Following is Dii Pratz's description, which is nnich abbreviated. 

 It will bo noticed that he makes HienvilleV attack \\\Hn\ the Natchez 

 entirely iin[)r()V()kod, which is improbable, though Dtimont is unable 

 to chronicle any overt act against a settler, but merely the destruc- 

 tion of cattle. Porhai)s Du Pratz considered these acts too trivial 

 to 1)0 noticed, and in fact an assault in force without ])revious warn- 

 ing, tlio slaughter of .several Indians, and the burning of their towns 

 seems a rather severe reprisal for the loss of a few domestic animals. 

 Neither Bienville nor any of his contemporaries had learned that 

 drastic measures may easily bo carried too far with the prouder and 

 more ])owerful tribes of Indians, where blood revenge is one of the 

 lirst duties of life. Says I)u Pratz: 



At the beginning of the winter following this iiheiionienon '' [1823-24] M. de 

 Bienville arrived in our Natchez district without noise and without anyone 

 lieiug forewarned of it, because the conmiandant of the post had orders to detain 

 all the Natchez who should come to the fort that day that the news of his 

 arrival might not be carried to the Natchez. He had brought regular troops, 

 settlers, and native allies to the number of 700 men in all. 



The order was given tliat all our Natchez settlers should be at his door at 

 nuduight at the latest. I repaired thither and mingled in the crowd without 

 making myself known. 



We arrived two hours before day at the settlement of St. Catherine. The 

 conmiandant having finally found me ordered me on behalf of the king to put 

 myself at the head of the Natcliez settlers and command them, and for them 

 to obey me as himself. We advanced in complete silence toward the village of 

 the Apple. It is easy to see that all these precautions wore in order to surprise 

 our enemies, who must expect us so much the less as they had made peace with 

 us in good faith, and as M. Paillou, major-general, had come to ratify this 

 peace on the part of the governor. We marched on the enemy ; the first 

 Natchez cabin, which was isolated, was invested; the drums accompanied by 

 the tife beat the charge: the cabin, in which were only 3 men and 2 women, was 

 tired on. 



They then moved to the village — that is, to the many cabins which succeeded ; 

 we stopped at 3 which were adjoining, in which were Intrenched 12 to 15 

 Natchez. On seeing us they would have taken us for people who came merely 

 to inspect these cabins. Indignant that no one had made it his duty to attend 

 to them. I took it upon myself to surround the enemy with my troop in order 

 to take them from behind. They fled; I pursued them, but we would have 

 needed the legs of deer to catch tliem. However. I aiM'roached so close that to 

 run faster they threw away their clothing. 



" Dumont, Mem. Hist, sur La Louisiane, ii, 98-113. * A remarkable celestial display. 



