among the dry bones. About sixty joined the Church, as the fruit of these meetings; and, if I could have staid, I have no doubt that many more would have joined; but it was imperiously necessary for me to return home.

CHAPTER X.

The author's return home from Detroit-Preparations for the journey-Incidents on the way-Sleeps on the ground-Passing the Maumee-He and his companions come to an Indian camp→ Spoons of lynn bark-Return to the mission-Attempts of the heathen party to revive their old religion-Their curious notions respecting the Bible-The chiefs accuse the sub-agent-His trial before Mr. Johnston-Unfounded allegations against the authorHis manner of defense-Mr. Johnston's letter-The author's life threatened-He employs no means of offense or defense-Respect shown to him by the wicked Indians.

THE next day we bid our friends at Detroit adieu, and set our faces toward home. It rained, and was very disagreeable. For our journey I procured a few pounds of sea biscuit, which was so hard that we could not use it until it was soaked in water. We also purchased the half of a deer from an Indian. When we pitched our camp, all was wet. Some went to stretch our tent, others to kindle the fire, and the rest went into the bog to gather grass for us to sleep on. About dark we found ourselves seated under our tent cloth, our fire blazing, and our meat stuck upon a stick roasting. Then brother Mononcue got out our bread, and found it quite too hard for his teeth. He called out, "My friend, what sort of bread is this? It is as hard as a stone." I said, "It is sailor's bread, and must be dipped in the water to soften it." "Well," said he, "it may do for men on the water or in the water, but it is not good for dry land." After our repast, we turned our horses out into the woods; and then, after committing ourselves to God's protection, we lay down on the wet grass, in our half-dried blankets, and soon fell asleep. A merciful Providence protected

us until we awoke in the morning, to prepare for our journey.

We arrived late in the evening of this day at the Rapids of the Maumee. The river having become a little swollen by the rains, it was dangerous to cross. But there was no alternative: we must ride through it, or remain where we were; so, trusting in a gracious Providence to direct the footsteps of our horses, we set forward, every one taking his own route. Neither we nor

our horses could see the fissures in the rocks. Only one horse stumbled, and the rider did not fall; but the rapidity of the stream carried them both within less than four feet of where the water commenced its most precipitous descent. The horse, however, recovered, stood trembling for awhile, and then made his way out. Having all got safe over, I said, "My friends, for this Providence, we ought to give praise to God." We joined, and sung a hymn as we rode along; and within a mile of the river, we again encamped for the night. Here we received some kindness from a backwoods settler. He gave us corn and milk, and some potatoes.

The next morning we set off early, and did not stop our pace until just before sun-down. We heard the crack of a rifle a short distance from the road. Mononcue said to me, "Taw-wa Indians!" We turned off to a little branch and found them there encamped. We went to a large bottom about a quarter of a mile above, and turned out our tired animals to a fine blue grass pasture. I said to Gray-eyes, "Go and buy us some bear meat for supper." So he went, and soon returned with some. The rest cooked, and I lay down to rest, tired and hungry. I said to myself, "Some would think this hard fare; but I rejoice that God has counted me worthy even to be a

teacher and guide to the poor Indian." Here my soul was filled with glory and with God. I could hardly refrain from shouting. I continued these sweet meditations until brother Mononcue aroused me to supper. He had made soup, and in order to use it, he also made spoons out of lynn bark. We took a hearty meal, said our prayers, and slept sweetly beneath the protection of God.

The next day we reached the Big Spring reserve. Here we had a good prayer meeting; and then found our way to the mission.

With

On our return, we found that brother Stewart had gone to his reward; and no doubt he rests in Abraham's bosom. In the meantime, the adversary had been at work, and great efforts had been made by the heathen party to oppose our religion, and to establish their own. They now became organized, so as to have meeting every Sabbath, in order to keep any of their party from going to hear the Gospel, and to draw off all that were weak and wavering. De-un-quot, the head chief, and War-pole, were the principal men-both of the Porcupine tribe. them they connected the old Cherokee-boy, and made Scionta their high priest. He appointed some others as his assistants, to sing and dance, and narrate their traditions, and to exhort them to be faithful in holding on to their fathers' religion. They taught that the Great Spirit would be angry with them, if they should quit it, and join the white man's Book. This Book was not sent to them, nor for them, or else they would have had it sent in their own language, and they would have been taught to read and understand it. They said, "It had a great many things that did not suit people that hunted, but those that worked the earth, as its figures were suited to them and not to us. When it speaks of plowing, and

sowing, and reaping, the whites understand these things, and the language suits them. But what does an Indian know of this?" These, and many other such arguments, were brought to dissuade and draw off those that were only half awakened. Feasts and dancing were held almost every week. The drunkard's yell and the Indian flute were frequently heard. The young men and women painted, and employed themselves in riding to and fro.

The chiefs and nation had become dissatisfied with the sub-agent, and thought him unfit to manage their concerns. During my absence, Between-the-logs, Hicks, Peacock, Punch, and others, had preferred charges against him, to Col. Johnston. He had written to them that he would come in March, and see them face to face. 'This excitement had cooled the flame of the revival. I plainly saw that there was a storm ahead. I made use of every exertion to prevent it, by keeping up our prayer and class meetings; and was fully and ably sustained by the mission family, especially by brother Wm. Walker and Robert Armstrong, who now to me were as armor bearers. We strove to keep things in as cool a state as possible. At length I found that the traders, (who were in the habit of selling liquor to the Indians,) and the subagent, were combined against me and the mission. They asserted that I was at the bottom of their dissatisfaction, and that it was through me the charges were preferred against the sub-agent. But at this I felt no alarm, for I was conscious that I was innocent.

The day of trial came on, and the parties met at the mission school house. I was not present, nor had I any intention of attending, unless in self-defense. A vast number were gathered; and when Col. Johnston had opened the council by reading the charges, the Indians,