Having arrived at the Prophet's camp, he remained several day's listening to his doctrines, and from a friend, also learned that the captive maiden had been adopted by Netnokwa, and carried by her up into the north-west regions where she resided. Gathering such other particulars as he could relative to the story of the prisoner, he satisfied himself that she was the same for whom he was seeking. He then continued his inquiries, yet in such a way as to avoid suspicion, learned Netnokwa's residence, the nearest route leading to it, and several days after left the camp to prosecute his journey.
Several weeks had elapsed, and Oloompa found himself in the Chippewa country. Its warriors were very much excited, as had been the Indians generally along the tract of country through which he had travelled, and he learned that the excitement had been produced by the continual preachings of agents from the Prophet. In addition to this, at the time of his arrival, runners were going in every direction to announce to the tribe that a great warrior from the Shawanees was anxious to speak to them, having things of importance to communicate. It was Tecumseh, his whole soul was engaged in the enterprise, which, with his brother, he had planned; and wandering about he was now using every exertion to bring it to maturity. No labour fatigued;—no difficulty was too great; he ranged over from one end to the other, the vast region of country occupied by the various tribes, threatening, flattering, arousing, and exciting them to action. When Oloompa heard the name of Tecumseh, and also heard that he was to preach to the Chippewas in general council assembled, he ceased to think of the errand upon which he was bound, and bent his steps at once toward the place of rendezvous. With Tecumseh, although he possessed no acquaintance, yet he loved him for the exertions he was making,—he loved him for the opinions he advocated, and which, in Oloompa's breast, found a congenial response, and he also loved him for the many daring acts of valour which he was said to have performed previous to the peace which then reigned. His heart fluttered with pleasure, when he reflected that he would have an opportunity of hearing a speech from Tecumseh, who was now more famed as an orator, than he had ever been, even as a warrior. He knew not what was to be the purport of his speech, but rightly conjectured, that it would be in furtherance of the plans which he and the Prophet had projected, and which had now become a common subject for discussion among the Indians generally.
Continuing his journey, he learned that the place of meeting, was near the head waters of the Chippewa, and thither he repaired. It was the day appointed for the council, and morning was several hours advanced when Oloompa arrived. Gathered in groups, under the shade of many widely spreading trees, whose branches interlocking, formed an arbour, a thousand and more individuals had already collected, and others were occasionally coming up. The ground was covered with grass, and it was distinguished from many spots equally delightful, only by the rude seats which had been prepared for the occasion. Never had Oloompa seen a more imposing assembly;—ranged in seats in front of a small staging which had been erected, the red men sat; the chiefs and oldest warriors present occupying the first places; those who were next in rank, the second; and so on, declining until on the outer edge were placed the women and children.—Throughout the whole body reigned the deepest silence,—not a whisper broke upon the ear, nor among the chiefs was even a glance averted.
Oloompa, who was an entire stranger, did not at first enter the assembly, but walked to and fro, at a short distance from the place of meeting, with a hope of seeing Tecumseh. He was a member of his own tribe, and a feeling of pride accompanied the thought. He hesitated whether he should make himself known or not. Were he to do so, he would be recognized and received as a friend; but then he might probably be called on to give an explanation of his designs in wandering so far from home, and to do this to Tecumseh, who was the sworn enemy of the whites, he feared might defeat the object upon which he had sat out. Moreover, he felt that he would be ashamed to say to Tecumseh, that his sole object in going so far a journey, was to serve those whom he hated, and whom he regarded as enemies. Feeling thus, he even hesitated whether he should proceed farther; but then there arose in his mind his promise to the white man, and the injunctions of his mother, and after a struggle with himself, he determined to remain where he was, unknown, and to prosecute his journey with the coming of evening.
There was now heard a murmur among the multitude, and Oloompa saw that the staging had been occupied by a warrior. It was Tecumseh. Noble and commanding in appearance, he gazed around him for a few moments, and thus spoke1;—
“Brothers—We all belong to one family, we are all children of the Great Spirit; we walk in the same path; slake our thirst at the same spring; and smoke the pipe around the same council fire!
“Brothers—We are friends; we must assist each other to bear our burdens. The blood of many of our fathers and brothers, has run like water on the ground, to satisfy the avarice of the white men. We, ourselves, are threatened with a great evil; nothing will pacify them but the destruction of all the red men.
“Brothers—When the white men first set foot on our grounds, they were hungry; they had no place on which to spread their blankets, or to kindle their fires. They were feeble, and could do nothing for themselves. Our fathers commiserated their distress, and shared freely with them whatever the Great Spirit had given his red children. They gave them food when hungry,—medicine when sick,—spread skins for them to sleep on, and gave them grounds that they might hunt and raise corn. Brothers, the white people are like poisonous serpents:—when chilled, they are feeble and harmless; but, invigorate them with warmth, and they sting their benefactors to death.
“The white people came among us feeble; and now we have made them strong; they wish to kill us or drive us back as they would wolves and panthers.