
and the peace and happiness of their dead countrymen, imperiously required them
speedily to immolate some victims to their revenge. But plans so dangerous to
attempt, and of such doubtful issue, Magua found little difficulty in defeating.
He exposed their risque and fallacy with his usual skill; and it was only after
he had removed every impediment, in the shape of opposing advice, that he
ventured to propose his own projects.
    He commenced by flattering the self-love of his auditors; a never-failing
method of commanding attention. When he had enumerated the many different
occasions on which the Hurons had exhibited their courage and prowess, in the
punishment of insults, he digressed in a high encomium on the virtue of wisdom.
He painted the quality, as forming the great point of difference between the
beaver and other brutes; between brutes and men; and, finally, between the
Hurons, in particular, and the rest of the human race. After he had sufficiently
extolled the property of discretion, he undertook to exhibit in what manner its
use was applicable to the present situation of their tribe. On the one hand, he
said, was their great pale father, the governor of the Canadas, who had looked
upon his children with a hard eye, since their tomahawks had been so red; on the
other, a people as numerous as themselves, who spoke a different language,
possessed different interests, and loved them not, and who would be glad of any
pretence to bring them in disgrace with the great white chief. Then he spoke of
their necessities; of the gifts they had a right to expect for their past
services; of their distance from their proper hunting grounds and native
villages; and of the necessity of consulting prudence more, and inclination
less, in so critical circumstances. When he perceived, that, while the old men
applauded his moderation, many of the fiercest and most distinguished of the
warriors listened to these politic plans with lowering looks, he cunningly led
them back to the subject which they most loved. He spoke openly of the fruits of
their wisdom, which he boldly pronounced would be a complete and final triumph
over their enemies. He even darkly hinted that their success might be extended,
with proper caution, in such a manner, as to include the destruction of all whom
they had reason to hate. In short, he so blended the warlike with the artful,
the obvious with the obscure, as to flatter the propensities of both parties,
and to leave to each subject of hope, while neither could say, it clearly
comprehended his intentions.
    The orator,
