Am I not right to do this?
In all the time I have been the White Chief at Dearborn, have I ever done wrong to a Pottawattomie ?" He paused; but no warrior made reply.

A low guttural murmur ran around the line of listeners, but the bead-like eyes never left his face.

He went on: "Why should I fear to meet the Pottawattomies, even though word had come to me that their young men talk war, and seek alliance with our enemy the red-coats?
The Chiefs have seen war, and are not crazed for the blood of their friends.

They will restrain such wild mutterings.
They know that the White Father to the east is strong, and will drive the red-coats back into the sea as he did when they fought before.
They will ally themselves with the strong one, and make their foolish young man take up arms for their friends." Still no one spoke, no impassive bronze face exhibited the faintest interest.

It was as if he appealed to stone.
"Is this not so ?" "The White Chief has spoken," was the cold reply.