These, as soon as it reached them, could be seen passing it from hand to hand, each examining it minutely, and making some remark; but one Indian, more than the rest, seemed to be excited upon beholding it; and this one, after he had gazed upon it for a moment, ran hurriedly towards Basil, followed by all the others! This was the opportunity which Basil wished for; and as the Indian stood in front of him, and pointed to the pipe, as if waiting for an explanation, the boy, his hands being now free, deliberately and with coolness made several signs which had been taught him by his father.
These signs were at once understood by the Indian, who sprang forward, pulled off the cords that bound Basil's ankles, raised him to his feet, embracing him as he did so with friendly exclamations! All the other Indians now pressed forward, and grasped him by the hand, while some ran to Lucien and Francois, who, in a few moments, were likewise set free! All three were now carried to one of the tents; dry clothes were put upon them, and as soon as it could be got ready, a feast was set before them: so that their captors, who but the moment before were about to put them one by one to a most cruel death, now seemed to strive with each other which should honour them the most! The Indian, however, who had shown so much interest at seeing the mysterious pipe-head, was allowed to take precedence in waiting upon them; and it was into his tent that our adventurers had been carried.
You will by this time wonder what there could be in a simple pipe-head, to have caused all this sudden and mysterious effect.

I will tell you in as few words as possible.
You have no doubt heard of the celebrated Shawano chief Tecumseh-- perhaps the greatest Indian warrior that ever lived, as well as the most remarkable of Indian statesmen.

You may have heard, too, that during the last war between England and the United States, Tecumseh, taking advantage of the difference between these nations, endeavoured to excite the Indians to a general rising, for the purpose of driving all white men from the soil of America.

Tecumseh had a brother, Elswatawa, better known by the name of "the Prophet." This brother was to the full as enthusiastic as the chief himself in the wish to carry out their great design; and for this purpose he undertook a crusade to every tribe of Indians in the western parts of America.

He was a man of great talents and eloquence, and was received with friendship wherever he went.