Original - North Central Michigan College Library

more serious, we even learned that theseOttawa were accustomed never to pay forwhat they received on credit. In reply, therefore,to the speech which we had heard, werequested that the demand contained in itmight be diminished; but we were answeredthat the Ottawa had nothing further to sayexcept that they would allow till the next dayfor reflection; after which, if compliance wasnot given, they would make no further application,but take into their own hands the prop,erty which they already regarded as their ownashaving been brought into their country beforethe conclusion of any peace between themselvesand the English.We now returned to consider of our situation;and in the evening Farley, the interpreter,paid us a visit, and assured us that it was theintention of the Ottawa to put us that nightto death. He advised us, as our only means ofsafety, to comply with the demands which hadbeen made; but we suspected our informant ofa disposition to prey upon our fears with a viewto induce us to abandon the Indian trade, andresolved however this might be, rather tostand on the defensive than submit. Wetrusted to the house in which I lived as a fort,and armed ourselves and about thirty of ourmen with muskets. Whether or not the Otta-had anwa ever intended violence we neveropportunity of knowing; but the night passedquietly.5