mournful spectacle; and what greatly added to my distress, was the fact
that he had fallen by the murderous hand of his brother! I felt my
situation unsupportable. Having passed through various scenes of trouble
of the most cruel and trying kind, I had hoped to spend my few remaining
days in quietude, and to die in peace, surrounded by my family. This fatal
event, however, seemed to be a stream of woe poured into my cup of
afflictions, filling it even to overflowing, and blasting all my prospects.

As soon as I had recovered a little from the shock which I felt at the
sight of my departed son, and some of my neighbors had come in to assist
in taking care of the corpse, I hired Shanks, an Indian, to go to Buffalo,
and carry the sorrowful news of Thomas' death, to our friends at that
place, and request the Chiefs to hold a Council, and dispose of John as
they should think proper. Shanks set out on his errand immediately,--and
John, fearing that he should be apprehended and punished for the crime he
had committed, at the same time went off towards Caneadea.

Thomas was decently interred in a style corresponding with his rank.

The Chiefs soon assembled in council on the trial of John, and after
having seriously examined the matter according to their laws, justified
his conduct, and acquitted him. They considered Thomas to have been the
first transgressor, and that for the abuses which he had offered, he had
merited from John the treatment that he had received.

John, on learning the decision of the council, returned to his family.

Thomas (except when intoxicated, which was not frequent,) was a kind and
tender child, willing to assist me in my labor, and to remove every
obstacle to my comfort. His natural abilities were said to be of a