r must not
be carried on in such a way. But there are some among us who are more
savage than the savages themselves, as they call us. It was you, John
Butler, who led at Wyoming, and it was you, Walter Butler, who allowed
the women and children to be killed at Cherry Valley, and more would
have been slain there had I not, come up in time."

The dark face of "Indian" Butler grew darker, and the pallid face of
his son grew more pallid. Both were angry, and at the same time a little
afraid.

"We won at Wyoming in fair battle," said the elder Butler.

"But afterwards?" said Thayendanegea.

The man was silent.

"It is these two places that have so aroused the Bostonians against us,"
continued Thayendanegea. "It is because of them that the commander of
the Bostonians has sent a great army, and the Long House is threatened
with destruction."

"My son and I have fought for our common cause," said "Indian" Butler,
the blood flushing through his swarthy face.

Sir John Johnson interfered.

"We have admitted, Joseph, the danger to the Iroquois," he said, calling
the chieftain familiarly by his first Christian name, "but I and my
brother-in-law and Colonel Butler and Captain Butler have already lost
though we may regain. And with this strong position and the aid of
ambush it is likely that we can defeat the rebels."

The eyes of Thayendanegea brightened as he looked at the long
embankment, the trees, and the dark forms of the warriors scattered
numerously here and there.

"You may be right, Sir John," he said; "yes, I think you are right,
and by all the gods, red and white, we shall see. I wish to fight here,
because this is the best place in which to meet the Bostonians. What say
you, Timmendiquas, sworn brother of mine, great warrior and great chief
of the Wyandots, the bravest of all the western nations?"

The eye of Timmendiquas expressed little, but his voice was sonorous,
and his words were such as Thayendanegea wished to hear.

"If we fight--and we must fight--this is the place in which to meet the
white army," he said. "The Wyandots are here to help the Iroquois, as
the Iroquois would go to help them. The Manitou of the Wyandots, the
Aieroski of the Iroquois, alone knows the end."

He spoke with the utmost gravity, and after his brief reply he said no
more. All regarded him with respect and admiration. Even Braxton Wyatt
felt that it was a noble deed to remain and face destruction for the
sake of tribes not