9. IX.
(Page 37.)
Another amusing anecdote is told illustrative of the times and the men. An
Indian chief, who had been in the hostile ranks, was in the habit after peace
of visiting Clarke, and became much attached to him. Having both been active
leaders in the then recent wars, their conversation naturally turned upon
those events—the more especially as the native warrior's fund of conversational
lore must have been very limited. On one occasion they amused themselves
with a kind of friendly bragging over each other, in which each enumerated
the victories of his own nation. Using the personal pronoun to designate their
respective nations, the conversation ran thus: “I beat you at such a place.”
“I made you run at such a place.” “I cut you to pieces at such a place.”
“That was very well done, but nothing to compare to the trick I played you,
at such a place.” At length the Indian, in an exulting manner, referred to the
lamentable massacre at the Blue Lick. “I beat you there, badly,—you never
gained such a victory as that.” “No,” replied Clarke, “perhaps we never
did, but you won that by luck”—and then rapidly describing the ground
and the battle, which both of them were familiar with, though neither were
in the engagement, he added, “Now suppose that instead of fighting you here,
on the edge of the water, we had sent a party round here, and attacked you
in this direction, what would have become of you?” The chief considered for
a moment, and then acknowledged himself beaten. “I can't fight with you
any more, General,” said he. “You too much big captain for me.”
