Two Faces by George McMullen

Author:George McMullen
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781612832708
Publisher: Hampton Roads Publishing

Chapter 21

We Begin to Work

During the next few days the Major, Mr. Butler, and I met often to work out our plans. We discussed at great length which tribe members would take part in the discussions and what items would be acceptable as trade for land. It was decided that horses, farm animals, and birds would be acceptable. The White men were also willing to trade rifles, which the Indians desired very much. The Army, however, was reluctant to let many rifles get into Indian hands.

It was decided that I would leave before the Major and his lady did. This allowed me time to make suitable living arrangements for them in the area where the talks were to take place. I wanted to make certain that the conditions were not too primitive. As far as was possible, all the meetings were to be held in White men's villages. It was up to me to arrange with the Indians to see that those taking part in the trade talks attended the meetings. The Major would be traveling with his own servants. Among them there was a man who had been with the Major during most of his military life. There was also a young woman servant traveling with Mrs. Farnsworth, who was related to her in some way, though she would not be with her when we went to the tribes.

It seemed best to start in the Mohawk area, which was the closest to us. When we were finished there we would go southward to the other tribal areas. It took nearly a week for plans to be completed. When all was ready, Slow Bear and I set off in the carriage that had been provided for us. There were many White people's villages in the area now, so we were able to follow good roads and stay at comfortable lodgings. During this time Slow Bear learned to enjoy the White man's bed, though he still did not want heavy blankets on him. We traveled north, following a great river that flowed out of the Mohawk lake. We passed through the Munsee Tribal land and on to a village called Albany, named after the tribe living there. Most of this land had already been extensively settled by the White Man.

There were several camps of the Mahicans on our route. We pressed on until we arrived at a village that was situated where the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers joined. It had taken us two weeks to travel this far. Upon our arrival, the Chief agreed to see us. We were taken to his lodge. I explained the reason for our being there. He listened patiently, then said, “I will agree to meet this White Chief.” He told us that he would send messengers to have other local Chiefs attend our meeting. We set a date for three weeks hence. Slow Bear and I returned to Albany, the White settlement closest to the Indian village.

Before I left Mr. Butler and the Major, an agreement had been made to have our horses delivered to us.

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