When the Miamis had assembled in and about the open lodge of the chief, La Salle had one of the New England Indians bring into the council the presents which he wished to give. Then he chose first from the pile a roll of tobacco, and presenting it to the Miamis said:—

“May this tobacco, as you smoke it in your pipes, clear the mists from your minds, that you may think without confusion.

“And this,” he said, laying down a piece of blue cloth, “is to cover the bodies of your relatives just killed by the Iroquois. May it turn your eyes from their dead forms to the peaceful blue sky where the sun shines so brightly.

“And here is a piece of red cloth to cover the earth so that you may see no longer the blood of your brethren. Its color is like that with which you paint your faces for a feast, and will mean to you that hereafter you will always live in pleasure and joy.

“Here are cloaks to cover the bodies of the loved ones you have lost. May they be a mark of our esteem and friendship. And take these fifty hatchets to help you raise a magnificent tomb in their memory. And those who have no beautiful ornaments to wear in the feast which you will give to those who are gone—let them wear these necklaces and bracelets, these rings and glass beads and little bells, and let them paint themselves with this paint.”

Then he drew forth thirty sword blades and, stooping over, he planted them in a circle in the dirt floor of the lodge, around and inclosing the presents he had given.

“And so,” he said, “will I make a palisade of iron about you so that the bodies of your dead friends may receive no harm.”

He straightened himself beside the circle of iron, and while the Miamis within the lodge and outside watched him he continued:—

“Your dead friends must be contented now. We have paid them our reverence. They will only ask further that we let them lie in peace; that we wipe away our tears and take care of the loved ones who step into their places. But I wish to do more than this.

“I know how sadly you have mourned for Ouabicolcata, your great chief who is dead. Think of him no longer as dead. His spirit and his soul have come to life once more in my body. I will raise his name among you. I am another Ouabicolcata, and I will take the same good care of his family as he did while he lived. No more am I Okimao as you used to call me. Henceforth my name is Ouabicolcata. Your chief lives again in the body of a Frenchman who is able to give you all the things which you need.”

Seldom do Indians in council interrupt a speaker, but as the white leader promised to take up the name and life of their dead chief the whole gathering broke into cries of rejoicing and praise. When a son was lost from an Indian family the sorrowing parents often adopted in his place a captive from another nation. So now it did not seem strange that in place of their lamented chief they should take to their hearts and homes this white chief, and call him by the old name Ouabicolcata, and love him as they loved the man who was dead.

La Salle’s men now brought three immense kettles. “In these,” said the white chief, “you will make a great feast for the dead come to life.” Then to his newly found relatives he presented shirts and cloaks, a box of knives and hatchets, and many other wonderful things saying: “See how I will give to my people the things they need.”

“And now, my brothers,” said La Salle, “we come to a matter of much consequence”—and he presented the Miamis with six guns. “There is a great master across the sea. He is famous everywhere. He loves peace. He is strong to help us, but he wants us to listen to his words. He is called the King of France, the greatest chief of all those who rule on the other shore. He is anxious that peace shall come upon all people and that no one shall wage war without asking permission of his servant Onontio, the governor at Quebec. Therefore, be at peace with your neighbors and most of al............