In the struggle Lieutenant Wormwood met his death, much

to Brant's sorrow, as they had been good friends before

the war. After this event the chief returned to Oquaga.

As the weeks passed, his following on the Susquehanna

grew apace. The name of the great War Chief had a charm

about it that drew to his command warriors from every

part of the forest. Little wonder that the settlers became

more and more alarmed. At length they resolved to try to

negotiate peace with him. One of their number, Nicholas

Herkimer, decided to go to the Susquehanna and there have

an interview with the chief himself. Herkimer was a

citizen noted for his integrity and had been made a

brigadier-general in the provincial army. He had formerly

lived three miles from Brant, when his home was on the

upper Mohawk, and knew him well. Nothing has ever been

said to show that Herkimer lacked courage. But he was

Vain enough to think that a few words from him might

weaken Brant's steadfast loyalty. Furthermore, like too

many frontiersmen of his day, he held the Indian race in

little esteem and, as we shall see, he did not scruple

to treat them with the basest kind of treachery. The plea

may be made that he was apprehensive of duplicity on the

part of the Mohawk chief, but this does not wholly excuse

his conduct.

After duly making his plans, Herkimer invited Brant to

meet him at Unadilla, on the Susquehanna, higher up than

Oquaga. He arrived at this place in the month of July

with three hundred and eighty militiamen, but had to wait

a week before Brant put in an appearance. The fact that

he came with such a numerous escort was well fitted to

cause suspicion. Captain Brant also came with a large

contingent of warriors, pitched his camp at some little

distance from the Americans, and sent a runner to ask

the general why he had been honoured with this visit.

Herkimer replied that he merely wished to have a talk

with his brother Brant and that would be all. The runner

said he would bear the message back, but first asked

slyly whether all these men were anxious to talk with

the War Chief also. Before departing, Brant's messenger

signified that the colonials must not trespass upon the

field that stretched away towards the Indians' camp.

About half-way between the two parties a shed was now

put up, large enough to seat two hundred people. It was

agreed that each side should send a deputation to this

hall, where a meeting would be held. On no account,

however, were any firearms or other weapons to be brought

from the camps.

Upon the day appointed Herkimer was the first to reach

the spot, while Brant arrived a little later. The Indian

chief had scented danger and was strictly on his guard.

With him were two pale-faces, a Mohawk chief, about two

score warriors, and an Indian woman. It was the custom

in such a parley to draw a circle on the ground and for

the leaders to stand or sit within this. Herkimer and

two officers entered the circle, while Brant was accompanied

by the inferior chieftain. Brant was all the time watching

the general like a hawk and again asked him what was the

meaning of his visit. Herkimer repeated that it was only

for the sake of good fellowship.

'And all these have come on a friendly visit too?' asked

Captain Brant. 'All want to see the poor Indians; it is

very kind.' Unaffected by Brant's irony, Herkimer next

referred to the troubles between England and the colonies,

and tried to draw out Brant. The chief was slow and

taciturn in answering, but at last burst forth in no

uncertain language. He said that 'the Indians were in

concert with the King, as their fathers had been; ...

that General Herkimer and his followers had joined the

Boston people against their Sovereign.' For all that, he

had no fear of the result and knew 'that although the

Boston people were resolute, yet the King would humble

them.'

The meeting did not break up before there were signs of

coming violence, but finally better feelings appeared to

prevail and they decided to assemble again on the following

morning.