very centre of the clearing. His followers ranged themselves behind him
in a half-circle, remaining ten or twelve feet in the rear, and when the
general went to meet his high mightiness our people took up their stations
much as had the savages, thus completely surrounding the two leaders.

Jacob and I stood where we could see all that was taking place, and hear a
portion of what was said.

Thayendanega began with compliments, and after General Herkimer had
replied in much the same strain, the murdering villain asked bluntly why
he had come.

"To meet my old neighbor and friend," General Herkimer replied, whereupon
Brant asked:

"And have all those behind you come on a friendly visit, too? Do they also
want to see the poor Indian? It is very kind."

The general changed the subject of the conversation by speaking of the
past, and wound up by hinting that it might be to Thayendanega's advantage
to take sides with the colonists against the king; but he must soon have
seen that he was not making much headway, for the sachem began to show
signs of anger, and, after quite a long confab, said sharply:

"We are with the king, as were our fathers before us. The king's belts are
yet held by us, and we cannot break faith. You are resolute now in your
rebellion; but before many days the king's soldiers will humble you to
the dust."

When this had been said, Colonel Cox, who was one of the general's party,