e easy."
Another strong factor in this decision was the dissatisfaction
of the British traders with the new movement that
was deflecting the fur trade down the Mississippi. The
French families of Cahokia and Kaskaskia sent their furs
down to New Orleans, greatly to the displeasure of their
late English rulers, who wanted them to go to Canada,
by the St. Louis trail to Detroit.
"Why should it not continue over the old Detroit trail to Montreal?" they questioned. "Is our fur trade to be cut off by these beggarly rebels and Spaniards? It belongs to Canada, Canada shall have it!" So all North America was fought over for the fur trade.
"I will use my utmost endeavours to send as many Indians as I can to attack the Spanish settlements, early in February," said Pat Sinclair, the British commander at Michilimackinac.
"I have taken steps to engage the Sioux under their own Chief, Wabasha, a man of uncommon abilities. Wabasha is allowed to be a very extraordinary Indian and well attached to His Majesty's interest."
And Wabasha, king of the buffalo plains above the Falls of St. Anthony, was an extraordinary Indian. In old days he fought for Pontiac, but after De Peyster brought the Sioux, the proudest of the tribes, to espouse the English cause, every year Wabasha made a visit to his British father at Michilimackinac.
On such a visit as this he came from Prairie du Chien after hearing that Hamilton was taken, and was received with songs and cannonading:
"Hail to great Wabashaw!
Cannonier—fire away, Hoist the fort-standard, and beat all the drums;
Ottawa and Chippewa,
Whoop! for great Wabashaw!
He comes—beat drums—the Sioux chief comes."Hail to great Wabashaw!
Soldiers your triggers draw,
Guard,—wave the colours, and give him the drum!Choctaw and Chickasaw,
Whoop for great Wabashaw!
Raise the port-cullis!—the King's friend is come."
