“Thou didst well,” said Elkswatawa:—“at first be indifferent whether they believe or not. Let it satisfy thee that thou believest; but when once we have power, who is there that will then dare doubt? The Prophet has only preached to small numbers. He must have a large crowd;—he must tell them all together, what the Great Spirit will do for them, if they follow his words.—And listen, Tecumseh, fear must seize upon their hearts, and we must make them believe.”
“Yes,” said Tecumseh;—“the words of the Prophet must move their hearts, as the wind stirs the leaves on the trees. Tell them who they are;—tell them that the stranger came among us, and begged for bread,—we gave it; he asked for a wigwam,—we made him one; he wanted lands,—we told him to take them. Was he satisfied? Tell them to ask the bones of their fathers! Or, point to a son, whose father's blood was spilled by the whites! Ask, where does he sleep? Tell him the white man's house is built over his grave! And thus speak, if you wish to stir them to the bottom. It would be well that they should fear. Let the place of meeting alarm them. Canst thou do it?”
Elkswatawa was for a moment silent; he pressed his hands to his head, then suddenly smiling as if a happy thought had struck him, replied, “I have it; hast thou forgotten the Ween-bah-sho-ke-kah?”
“What, the haunted cavern?” said Tecumseh.
“The same,” replied Elkswatawa. “Fear will seize upon their hearts as soon they enter it. It will suit our purpose.”
“It will,” said Tecumseh, animated by the thought; “you visit it, and prepare for the coming assembly. I will spread far and wide the tidings that the Prophet of the Great Spirit will hold a talk with the red men in the haunted cavern.”
“Then do so,” said Elkswatawa, “name the time of meeting the twentieth day from this. The Indians are troubled and they will come, though they fear. Terror shall seize upon their hearts, for none as yet have penetrated its recesses, and they shall say, ‘Elkswatawa is the true Prophet.’”
“I augur well,” said Tecumseh, “the cave alone will fill them with fear; Elkswatawa knows how to make them tremble.”
“Trust me,” said Elkswatawa, “even Tecumseh himself shall tremble. Hast thou ventured far into the Ween-bah-sho-ke-kah?”
“No; never to its end,” said Tecumseh.