the council, the Saganaw knew that they carried deceit
in their hearts, and that they never meant to smoke the
pipe of peace, or to bury the hatchet in the ground. The
Saganaw might have kept them prisoners, that their warriors
might be without a head; but he had given his word to
the great chief of the Ottawas, and the word of a Saganaw
is never broken. Even now, while both the chiefs and
the warriors are in his power,--he will not slay them,
for he wishes to show the Ottawa the desire of the Saganaw
is to be friendly with the red skins, and not to destroy
them. Wicked men from the Canadas have whispered lies in
the ear of the Ottawa; but a great chief should judge
for himself, and take council only from the wisdom of
his own heart. The Ottawa and his warriors may go," he
resumed, after a short pause; "the path by which they
came is again open to them. Let them depart in peace;
the big thunder of the Saganaw shall not harm them."

The countenance of the Indian, who had clearly seen the
danger of his position, wore an expression of surprise
which could not be dissembled: low exclamations passed
between him and his companions; and, then pointing to
the tomahawk that lay half buried in the wood, he said,
doubtingly,--

"It was the pale face, the friend of the great chief of
the Ottawas, who struck the hatchet at my father. The
Ottawa is not a fool to believe the Saganaw can sleep
without revenge."