Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (Vol 1 1904).djvu/219

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1758]
Post's Journals
213

speaks, s­aid they, as if he was drunk; and if a great many of them had not known me, they should not know what to think; for every thing I said he contradicted. I assured them I would faithfully inform the Governor of what they said, and they should see, as messengers, other guise Indians than Daniel, for the time to come; and I farther informed them, that he was not sent by the Governor, but came on his own accord; and I would endeavour to prevent his coming back. Daniel demanded of me his pay, and I gave him three dollars; and he took as much wampum from me as he pleased, and would not suffer me to count it. I imagined there was about two thousand.

About night, nine Tawaas past by here, in their way to the French fort.

30th and 31st.—The Indians feasted greatly, during which time, I several times begged of them to consider and dispatch me.

September 1st.—Shingas, King Beaver, Delaware George, and Pisquetumen, with several other captains said to me,

"Brother, We have thought a great deal since God has brought you to us; and this is a matter of great consequence, which we cannot readily answer; we think on it, and will answer you as soon as we can. Our feast hinders us; all our young men, women and children are glad to see you; before you came, they all agreed together to go and join the French; but since they have seen you, they all draw back; though we have great reason to believe you intend to drive us away, and settle the country; or else, why do you come to fight in the land that God has given us?"

I said, we did not intend to take the land from them;