tained, by a wholesome government. Here I will relate a case. Charges were brought against Between-the-logs for the non-payment of a debt, contracted with an Indian trader some years before. The circumstances were these: Between-the-logs took between three and four hundred raccoon skins to market, and went to a trader to sell them. The trader offered twenty-five cents per skin, part in goods and part in money. Between-the-logs refused it, saying he must have fifty cents. The trader said that the price of raccoon skins had fallen, and none were giving more than twenty-five cents. After much persuasion, and declaring that he had told him the truth, the trader offered, in addition to the twenty-five cents, a small premium, so that he obtained the old man's winter hunting at that price. Between-the-logs then went to another trader, who asked him what he had done with his winter's skins? To this he replied, that he had sold them to Mr. "How much," said the trader, "did you get for them?" "Twenty-five cents," said Betweenthe-logs-half in cash and the rest in goods." "Well," said the trader, "if you had come to me, I would have given you fifty cents; for skins here bear a good price this year." From this place Between-the-logs went to Urbana; and, on inquiring, ascertained that he had been deceived both in the price of the skins and of the goods also; for the goods were much dearer than he could have purchased them in Urbana. This raised his Indian temper. But while he remained at Urbana, the trader to whom he had sold his skins, came, with a wagon load of fur, to get more dry goods. "Now," said Between-thelogs, "I will trap him, if I can." He wanted saddlery; and as he requested the trader to go his security, which he readily did, Between-the-logs purchased, on his credit,

This

the amount out of which he had cheated him. He then said, "You have set your trap and caught me: now I have caught you in mine, and we are even." When the saddler called for his money, the trader had to pay it. Between-the-logs refused to pay the trader, saying, "You have cheated me by lying, and I have now caught you." This trader complained of Between-thelogs to the other Christian chiefs, and they would not rest, for they thought it a disgrace to religion. I, therefore, called a committee, and the trial commenced. produced great excitement. To try an Indian chief was an unheard of thing. I labored all night to convince him that he must not do evil that good might come by it; for, said I, if my neighbor does wrong, I must not do wrong to match him. But he insisted that on the principles of sheer justice to himself and his family, he had done no wrong; that the trader had put his hand into his pocket, and all he had done was to put his hand into the trader's pocket, and take his own back. He could see no crime in that. As the trader had got his money, he was not the sufferer, and he thought it was just. I then labored to persuade him to compromise the matter; but he said he would have nothing to do with the man, for he was a notorious cheat. But he would make a proposition to his accusers, if they would accept of it. He said he would be perfectly satisfied to leave the whole business to me. He said furthermore, that he had a steer, which I might take, and do with it in the case as I thought best and right; for he was confident that I knew more about the principles of justice between man and man, than he did. But his mind was fixed, and he thought it would never alter. So all the parties agreed to leave it to me. With the steer I paid the trader, and so the thing was adjusted.

CHAPTER VII.

The author visits neighboring tribes-Conversation with the chiefs on the difference between Methodist and Presbyterian doctrine--Visit to the Mohawks-Dangerous passage over Honey creek-Interesting meeting and formation of a class among the Mohawks--Visit to the Senecas-The Seneca feast-Reception of the Wyandotts--Speech respecting the Seneca prophet-Preliminary answer of Between-the-logs-Commences a religious meeting-Admirable speech on the superiority of the Christian over the Indian religion-Answers and objections-Speech of HicksSpeech of Mononcue-His description of the judgment-Effect on the hearers-Closing interview of the Seneca and Wyandott chiefs-The author renews his acquaintance with Wiping-stick, a chief-Good effects of their visit upon the Senecas.

ABOUT July I visited some of the neighboring tribes, in company with Between-the-logs, Mononcue, John Hicks, with Jonathan Pointer for interpreter. The riv ers and creeks were very full, and, in the very outset, we had to swim our horses over the Sandusky river. We, ourselves, however, crossed in a canoe.

After we had caught our animals and adjusted our baggage, we set out, cheerfully conversing on the subject of religion. I was asked by Mononcue wherein the Presbyterians and Methodists differed in their views of relig ion. I told him the principal difference was briefly this: The Methodists believe that all men may obtain religion, if they will seek it; and persevering, may be finally saved; but that if unfaithful after they have obtained religion, they will lose it, and perish for ever. The Presbyterians believe that none can experience

religion but the

elect, or those whom God has made for the purpose; and that when they have obtained religion they cannot lose it. "And what becomes of the rest?" said Hicks.

66

'Why,"

said I, "they are left to perish-the devil gets them."

"This cannot be right," said Between-the-logs.

"God

is too good a being to do so. Now," said he, "suppose I had two boys, and I take a tug and tie one of them fast, and say to the boys, 'If you will come with me, I will hunt and find you meat to keep you from starving." This would be a useless offer to the one whom I had tied so fast that he could not go, while I left him to starve because he did not follow me. Would that be right?" "No," said Mononcue, "you would be a better father to take your tomahawk and kill him, than leave the poor fellow to starve. I dont believe a word of such doctrines," said he; "nor do I believe that a man cannot lose his religion. I feel that I can hardly keep it at all.. It seems to me that I have to hold on all the time, or it will steal off and leave me. I know it is not true. I feel it every day. I must hold fast, or I am gone. will not stay, except by prayer. Quit this and it is gone. By this means we get it, and by this only we can keep it."

It

By this time we had reached Honey creek, near a smail village of Mohawks, composed of the Brants and my old friend, John Vanmetre's family. This creek was very full, so as to overflow its banks, and there was no way of crossing, but to drive in our horses, and to wade to a large tree fallen across the main bed of the creek, over which the water poured like the breast of a mill dam. At length it was concluded that Between-thelogs, myself, and Jonathan, should take over the saddles and blankets on our shoulders, and try the water. We did so, but it was with great difficulty we could walk the log. Yet we got safe over, and then waded out to dry land, in order to dispose of our baggage. I then waded. back to the edge of the creek to catch our horses.

Hicks

and Mononcue drove them in, and the water carried them down to some young sycamores that were near to the side we were on. There the four horses lodged on the bushes, and for sometime struggled to free themselves. At length a sapling gave way, and three of them swung off. But Mononcue's horse hung, and was in the very act of drowning, when Between-the-logs threw off his coat, and plunging into the stream, swam up and took hold of the bridle, and held his head out of the water, but could not release him. Then Pointer plunged in; and as he could not swim, he cautiously caught hold of a young sycamore, and bent the bush down and let the horse swing off, when Between-the-logs swam back. By this time Hicks and Mononcue had arrived, and all were safe but Jonathan, who was still hanging on the young sycamore. To relieve him, we took off the strips of bark we had peeled to hobble our horses, tied them together, and made a rope. This we fastened to a stick, and threw it into the stream above him, which he caught. He then tied the bark around him, and Mononcue and myself towed him to the shore. So we all crossed without any material injury, and in a short time found ourselves housed with our friend Vanmetre. We were soon furnished with a good dish of venison, and some spicewood tea, with which we satisfied our craving appetites. We then sent out a runner to notify all the village to come to meeting that night.

In this meeting I led the way by asking the question, "Wilt thou be made whole?" I first pointed out the disease; secondly, the physician; and thirdly, the cure. The Lord was with us indeed. All the chiefs exhorted, and then we joined in a prayer meeting; and we have cause to believe one or two were "made whole."

We