"It shall be done at once," declared the governor.
He drew forward a fresh sheet of paper and hurriedly scrawled upon it the necessary instructions, then rang a bell and to the negro who answered said:
"Zach, do you carry this at once to Rollins the Bellman and bid him proclaim it through the streets at dusk upon his lights-round, and also at every general proclamation."
He returned his attention to the Indian.
"Ta-wan-ne-ars," he continued, "I need your friendship. I need the friendship of every one of your people for our King."
"Why," interposed the Indian, "has Go-weh-go-wa[[1]] become involved in war with some other king?"
[[1]] Literally, the Great Crown—Indian name for British ruler.
"Not in a war with knife and tomahawk," answered the governor, "but in a secret struggle, wherein some of his own subjects are endeavoring to stab him in the back."
The Seneca drew himself erect.
"Ta-wan-ne-ars is your friend, Ga-en-gwa-ra-go. He is not the friend of Onontio[[2]] who rules at Quebec. Most of the white people are not well-wishers to the Indian, but you are of those we count our friends. I am come here with Corlaer to prove my friendship."