Rewards and Fairies - Penn State University

Rewards and Fairies
their country—I reckon he gave ‘em good reasons—whether ‘“But think of public opinion,” another one starts up. “The
the United States was ready or able to face a new big war; she feeling in Philadelphia alone is at fever heat.”
having but so few years back wound up one against England, ‘He held up one of his big hands. “Gentlemen,” he says—
and being all holds full of her own troubles. As I said, the slow he spoke, but his voice carried far— “I have to think of
strong way he laid it all before ‘em blasted ‘em, and when our country. Let me assure you that the treaty with Great
he’d done it was like a still in the woods after a storm. A little Britain will be made though every city in the Union burn me
man—but they all looked little—pipes up like a young rook in effigy.”
in a blowed-down nest, “Nevertheless, General, it seems you ‘“At any price?” the actor-like chap keeps on croaking.
will be compelled to fight England.” Quick Big Hand wheeled ‘“The treaty must be made on Great Britain’s own terms.
on him, “And is there anything in my past which makes you What else can I do?” ‘He turns his back on ‘em and they looked
think I am averse to fighting Great Britain?”
at each other and slinked off to the horses, leaving him alone:
‘Everybody laughed except him. “Oh, General, you mis- and then I saw he was an old man. Then Red Jacket and
take us entirely!” they says. “I trust so,” he says. “But I know Cornplanter rode down the clearing from the far end as though
my duty. We must have peace with England.”
they had just chanced along. Back went Big Hand’s shoul-
‘“At any price?” says the man with the rook’s voice. ders, up went his head, and he stepped forward one single
‘“At any price,” says he, word by word. “Our ships will be pace with a great deep Hough! so pleased he was. That was a
searched—our citizens will be pressed, but—”
statelified meeting to behold—three big men, and two of
‘“Then what about the Declaration of Independence?” says ‘em looking like jewelled images among the spattle of gay-
one.
coloured leaves. I saw my chiefs’ war-bonnets sinking together,
‘“Deal with facts, not fancies,” says Big Hand. “The United down and down. Then they made the sign which no Indian
States are in no position to fight England.”
makes outside of the Medicine Lodges—a sweep of the right
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