Having seen our General on various occasions, I recognized him at once, although he was in his banyan, having, I judged, been bathing himself in a small, wooden bowl full of warm water, which stood on the puncheon flooring near, very sloppy.
He received me most civilly and listened to my report with interest and politeness, whilst I gave him what news I had of Clinton and how it was with us at the Lake, and all that had happened to my scout of six--the death of the St.Regis and the two Iroquois, the treachery of the Erie and his escape, the murder of the Stockbridge--and how we witnessed the defile of Indian Butler's motley but sinister array headed northwest on the Great Warrior Trail.

Also, I gave him as true and just an account as I could give of the number of soldiers, renegades, Indians, and batt-horses in that fantastic and infamous command.
"Where are your Indians ?" he asked bluntly.
I informed him, and he sent his aide to fetch them.
General Sullivan understood Indians; and I am not at all sure that my services as interpreter were necessary; but as he said nothing to the contrary, I played my part, presenting to him the stately Sagamore, then the Grey-Feather, then the young warrior, Tahoontowhee, who fairly quivered with pride as I mentioned the scalps he had taken on his first war-path.
With each of my Indians the General shook hands, and on each was pleased to bestow a word of praise and a promise of reward.

For a while, through medium of me, he conversed with them, and particularly with the Sagamore, concerning the trail to Catharines-town; and, seeming convinced and satisfied, dismissed us very graciously, telling an aide to place two bush-huts at our disposal, and otherwise see that we lacked nothing that could be obtained for our comfort and good cheer.
As I saluted, he said in a low voice that he preferred I should remain with the Mohican and Oneidas until the evening meal was over.

Which I took to indicate that any rum served to my Indians must be measured out by me.
So that night I supped with my red comrades in front of our bush-huts, instead of joining Colonel Dearborn's mess.

And I was glad I did so; and I allowed them only a gill of rum.