Why should there be any more war? The
Indians are brave; they have cattle, and sheep, and water. They can
live out of reach of the white chief's guns, and can fight if the
white chief comes out against them. The white chief is strong, and
he can defend the pass, but he cannot venture out to attack. They
are equal. There is no cause of quarrel any longer. Let us bury the
hatchet. The white chief's young men can take horses--for the
Indians have many--to take them back to their homes. They can take
cattle to eat. Let there be peace."
This address of the Raven was a very politic one. He already knew
that Mr. Hardy was willing to grant terms, but he wished to show
the other chiefs that he supported the honor of the tribe by
boasting of their power and resources, and by making the peace as
upon equal terms.
When the Gaucho had translated their proposal, Mr. Hardy spoke,
using the phraseology which would be most intelligible to the
Indians.
"The Raven is a great chief; he has spoken wisely. The little White
Bird has sung in the white chief's ear that the Raven stood by her
side when bad Indians would have hurt her. The bad Indians are
dead. The Great Spirit frowned upon them. The white chief has no
quarrel with the Raven and his friends.
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