“Yes, sir,” Jim stammered, “but I didn’t want——” Chief Minnemung gestured impatiently, as he interrupted Jim. “Big Long-Knife, I say Chief Minnemung no longer wants to adopt this boy. He not make good Potawatomi. He is Jim Long-Knife. Chief Minnemung is no longer interested in him. He now belongs to Big Long-Knife Clark.” Jim sighed in relief as Clark said gravely, “So be it, Chief Minnemung. I accept this boy as Jim Long-Knife.” He extended his hand to the Potawatomi chief to seal their bargain. Chief Minnemung shook hands with Clark without glancing at Jim. Then he walked proudly to his clan. George Rogers Clark could be stern no longer. As he looked at Jim for a moment, his hazel eyes twinkled in fun. “I guess this makes you safe, Jim. You are now under my control and a real Long-Knife. Chief Minnemung has decreed it. Jim Long-Knife. That’s a fine name for you.” Jim smiled. “Oh, sir, thank you. I’m so glad Chief Minnemung doesn’t want me. I saw him sitting with the other Indians today, and I was afraid he might have his men take me prisoner again sometime.” [Illustration: uncaptioned] Chapter VIII A PEACEFUL INTERVAL While Clark was counseling and making treaties with the different Indian tribes at Cahokia, he was also sending men on different missions throughout the western country. For the most important mission he chose Father Gibault and Dr. Laffont, an influential citizen of Kaskaskia. They were to take a proclamation to the French settlers at Vincennes, asking them to renounce their fidelity to the British king, George III and swear allegiance to the Americans. Since Father Gibault was well known and respected for his earlier good works among the people there and Dr. Laffont was a most persuasive man, the French settlers willingly took their oath of allegiance to the Americans. Both men returned to Colonel Clark with this good news long before his negotiations with the Indians were completed. Then Clark dispatched Captain Helm to take charge of Fort Sackville at Vincennes. Now that the three French villages, Kaskaskia, Cahokia and Vincennes were in American hands, about half of Clark’s volunteers returned to their homes in Kentucky and Virginia. Those who stayed acted not only as guards for the American headquarters, but reinforced the French garrisons at Kaskaskia and Cahokia against possible Indian attack. Jim didn’t know how to occupy his time, now that Colonel Clark didn’t seem to need him. One evening he decided to ask the colonel about it. “I have nothing to do here, Colonel Clark,” he began. “I could go back to Kentucky to see what’s left of our farm. I wouldn’t be afraid to stay there alone, sir, and I could start clearing more land.”