Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (Vol 1 1904).djvu/231

1758] it was said to the Indians at the Ohio, that they should let the French alone there, and leave it entirely to the Five Nations; the Five Nations would know what to do with them. Yet soon after two hundred French and Indians came and built Fort Duquesne.

King Beaver and Shingas spoke to Pisquetumen.

"Brother, you told us that the Governor of Philadelphia and Teedyuscung took this man out of their bosoms, and put him into your bosom, that you should bring him here; and you have brought him here to us; and we have seen and heard him; and now we give him into your bosom, to bring him to the same place again, before the Governor; but do not let him quite loose; we shall rejoice when we shall see him here again." They desired me to speak to the Governor, in their behalf, as follows:

"Brother, we beg you to remember our oldest brother, Pisquetumen, and furnish him with good cloathes, and reward him well for his trouble; for we shall look upon him when he comes back."

7th.—When we were ready to go, they began to council which course we should go, to be safest; and then they hunted for the horses, but could not find them; and so we lost that day's journey.

It is a troublesome cross and heavy yoke to draw this people: They can punish and squeeze a body's heart to the utmost. I suspect the reason they kept me here so long was by instigation of the French. I remember somebody told me, the French told them to keep me twelve days longer, for that they were afraid I should get back too soon, and give information to the general. My heart has been very heavy here, because they kept me for no purpose. The Lord knows how they have been counselling about my life; but they did not know who