prepared by the Indians.  Here the old man knelt down, and in an elevated but solemn tone of voice, addressed his prayer to the Great Spirit.  As soon as he had finished, the captain of the Indians knelt beside him, and prayed in a similar manner.  Their prayers of course were spoken in the Wyandot tongue. * * * * After a few moments delay, the prisoner again sank down upon his knees and prayed as he had done before.  When he had ceased, he still continued in a kneeling position.  All the rifles belonging to the party had been left at the wigwam.  There was not a weapon of any kind to be seen at the place of execution, and the spectators were consequently unable to form any conjecture as to the mode of procedure, which the executioners had determined on, for the fulfilment of their purpose.  Suddenly one of the warriors drew from beneath the skirts of his capote, a keen, bright tomahawk—­walked rapidly up behind the chieftain—­brandished the weapon on high, for a single moment, and then struck with his whole strength.  The blow descended directly upon the crown of the head, and the victim immediately fell prostrate.  After he had lain awhile in the agonies of death, the Indian captain directed the attention of the white men to the drops of sweat which were gathering upon his neck and face; remarked with much apparent exultation, that it was conclusive proof of the sufferer’s guilt.  Again the executioner advanced, and with the same weapon, inflicted two or three additional and heavy blows.  As soon as life was entirely extinct, the body was hastily buried, with all its apparel and decorations; and the assemblage dispersed."[A]

[Footnote A:  Mr. Otway Curry, in the Hesperian for May, 1838.]

One of Mr. Heckewelder’s correspondents, as quoted in his Historical Account of the Indian Nations, makes Tarhe, better known by the name of Crane, the leader of this party.  This has been denied; and, the letter[A] of general Harrison on the subject, proves quite conclusively that this celebrated chief had nothing to do with the execution of Leatherlips.  Mr. Heckewelder’s correspondent concurs in the opinion that the original order for the death of this old man, was issued from the head quarters of the Prophet and his brother.

[Footnote A:  Published in the Hesperian for July, 1838.]

CHAPTER VII.

Governor Harrison makes another effort to ascertain the designs of Tecumseh and the Prophet—­Tecumseh visits the governor at Vincennes, attended by four hundred warriors—­a council is held—­Tecumseh becomes deeply excited, and charges governor Harrison with falsehood—­council broken up in disorder—­renewed the next day.