eapons laid aside, with
confidence in their faces, and peace in their hearts, only to find in
the end treachery for goodwill, betrayal for trust, and contempt for
respect. Could these sturdy Tukudhs have looked forward to the day
when their land would be flooded by thousands of greedy gold seekers,
their game slaughtered, and their sons and daughters demoralized by bad
whiskey, their attitude would have been very different to these
fore-lopers of a foreign race.

On the ground a wolf-skin robe was placed, and upon this the old chief
squatted, facing the miners. Around him gathered the hunters of his
band, two hundred strong, in the form of a semicircle. There was no
haste, no jostling one another as they took their various positions.
Everything was done quietly and with much decorum, the younger giving
the foremost places to their elders.

By the side of the chief stood Amos, who was to act as interpreter,
dressed in a simple hunting costume. His face bore an expression of
care, and ever and anon he cast anxious glances towards the Indians and
then at the white men. To him the day had been one of severe strain,
and he knew the end was not yet. In the Indian Council he had fought a
hard battle against the hot-headed youths who thirsted for revenge upon
the miners. With infinite patience, much tact and burning eloquence he
had pleaded for the Christlike virtue of forgiveness. He listened to
their harangues, settled disputes and appealed to their higher nature.
He sketched their mode of living ten years before, and emphasized the
changes which had taken place upon the arrival of the missionary.
After hours of discussion the matter reached a deadlock, so it was left
for the old chief to decide. He favoured peace, and gave as his
reasons for this conclusion the Christian teaching he had received, and
the friendly visit of the pale-face maiden to his lodge."

"Let the guilty men be punished," he had said in conclusion. "Let us
not do it in the spirit of revenge, but only as a warning to others."

Squatting upon the wolf-skin robe the chief now scanned the miners as
intently as his weak eyes would permit, and then addressed a few words
to the interpreter.

"Pale-face brothers," began Amos, turning to the white men, "chief of
Tukudhs give you welcome to Council. He come here with peace in heart.
His hunters all leave guns in camps, dey trust white man. But white
man no trust Tukudh. Dey come with guns. Dey ke