After this the _French_ demanded me of the _Indians_. They said it was a custom among the white people when a messenger came, even if it was the Governor, to blind his eyes, and lead him into the fort, to a prison, or private room. They, with some of the _Indians_ insisted very much on my being sent into the fort, but to no purpose; for the other _Indians_ said to the _French_; “It may be a rule among you, but we have brought him here, that all the _Indians_ might see him, and hear what our brothers the English have to say; and we will not suffer him to be blinded and carried into the fort.” The _French_ still insisted on my being delivered to them; but the _Indians_ desired them, to let them hear no more about it; but to send them one hundred loaves of bread; for they were hungry. 25th.—This morning early they sent us over a large bullock, and all the _Indian_ chiefs came over again, and counselled a great deal among themselves; then the _Delaware_, that handled the old deaf _Onondago_ Indian so roughly yesterday, addressed himself to him, in this manner; “I hope, to day, you are sober. I am certain you did not know what you said yesterday. You endeavoured to frighten us; but know, _we are now men_, and not so easily frightened. You said something yesterday of the _Shawanese_; see here what they have sent you,” (_presenting him with a large roll of tobacco_.) Then the old deaf _Indian_ rose up, and acknowledged he had been in the wrong; he said, that he had now cleaned _himself_,[41] and hoped they would forgive him. Then the Delaware delivered the message, that was sent by the _Shawanese_ which was, “That they hoped the _Delawares_, &c. would be strong,[42] in what they were undertaking; that they were extremely proud to hear such good news from their brothers, the _English_; that whatever contracts they made with the _English_, the _Shawanese_ would agree to; that they were their brothers, and that they loved them.” The _French_ whispered to the _Indians_, as I imagined, to insist on my delivering what I had to say, on the other side of the water. Which they did to no purpose, for my company still insisted on a hearing on this side the water. The _Indians_ crossed the river to council with their Fathers.[43] My company desired to know whether they would hear me or no. This afternoon three hundred _Canadians_ arrived at the fort, and reported that six hundred more were soon to follow them, and forty battoes laden with amunition. Some of my party desired me not to stir from the fire; for that the _French_ had offered a great reward for my scalp, and that there were several parties out on that purpose. Accordingly I stuck constantly as close to the fire, as if I had been chained there.