The first edict he issued, simply required that the fire in an Indian lodge should never be permitted to go out under penalty of the declared displeasure of the Great Spirit. Secondly, he ordered that no Indian should suffer a dog to live, together with many other things, too tedious to mention. To these which I have specified, ridiculous as it may seem, it is stated that the most implicit obedience was paid by all who ranked themselves as his followers. These sacrifices were, however, of different kinds, and in themselves, but of little moment, and were required merely that he might see whether or not obedience would be paid to his orders.
This having been done, other changes were daily introduced, all tending to increase the influence which he already wielded. Latterly he had begun to dwell more on the necessity of a perfect union among the tribes; indeed, it was now chiefly the burden of his song, and at his request was urged with much zeal by all his agents, although they themselves were ignorant of his ultimate intentions. Having now for some time endeavoured to obtain a mastery over all the tribes, and finding that the chief obstacle to the success of his plans was to be found in the opposition of some neighbouring chiefs, he determined at once to consult his brother as to the propriety of getting rid of them; and with this view sought him immediately upon his return from a wandering expedition.
“Thy moccasins are worn with travel, brother,” said Elkswatawa, “thy path has led thee to far tribes; what say they of the Shawanee Prophet?”
“I bring great joy,” said Tecumseh, “I have poured out words like a rushing river, and the hearts of the red men are bleeding. I have preached to them peace, but they dream of war; and were Tecumseh to say, ‘come on,’ they would follow, though they know not whither.”
“My heart is glad,” said Elkswatawa. “But some of the red men grieve me, they have placed logs in our path. We must remove them.”
“How?—what has happened?”—said Tecumseh.
“The chiefs of the Delawares and Wyandots have said,” replied Elkswatawa, “that the words of the Prophet have no truth in them; that he deceives the red men, and cannot do what he promises.”
“Ha!” said Tecumseh, “I warned you of this. You have placed the Shawanees above the Delawares and Wyandots. It was wrong. But the Prophet has spoken. His words must always seem straight, they must never be changed.”
“No, brother; and he who says the Prophet speaks false, must die, or the work we have begun will never be finished.”
“It would be well:—if they lie in our path, they must be taken away. But how can this be?—they have friends, and are powerful.”