The Standoff at Vincennes II

The Standoff at Vincennes II

Morning brought a cold light but clear visibility. Green Scabre and River Hawk were taking their own turn at sleep when Tek and Tecumseth got up. They woke the other three quietly and began preparing to move again.

Tek sharpened his knife on a root edge and nudged his brother in the shoulder. “Look. The Americans are awake as well.” There were two musketeers visible at one of the guard towers. “What do you think? Should we hail?”

“Well, what did you dream? It was so cold I just slept.” Tecumseth had his kit ready.

“Not so cold. I dreamt of home back near the Anishinabee rivers. I think it was the rabbit stew warming my mind.” Tek watched the Americans carefully for the telltale signs of musketets being loaded. “I feel they are drowsy but not friendly. Hailing is not the worst idea if we wait to let them have their own breakfast.”

“Alright, Tek, I see what you mean. The purpose was not war and Scabre and Hawk need a bit more sleep.” The brothers jointly led the scouting party. Tecumseth had won countless small victories at war but Tek was their people’s prophet. “Luke, make sure Meadow and Tinek are quiet a little while longer. We may attempt a hail.”

They had one half-white scout with them. Luke was young but spoke the Americans language well. He nodded at Tecumseth’s command and moved about to help the other junior scouts. Altogether, it was a strong group but small. They had not brought muskets of their own because of the distance into American territory and the necessity of keeping powder dry.

“Brother, what is better for barter after a hail: food or muskets?”

Tek was chewing thoughtfully on leftover meat from the stew. “We can find food easy enough and I suspect they need it more. How many good pelts are left?”

“All five of them. Only the beaver skins though. Ah, wait…” The war leader pulled over his pack and began rummaging through it. “We had two fox furs as well. Yes, one is here and Green Scabre should have the other.”

Tek slapped one knee happily. “This is good. We can barter for both. I will hail or you will?”

Tecumseth stood and took a dozen steps toward the northeast. The Americans were drowsy but not stupid. They feared the Anishinabee sorties as indifferent to British control. He waited five more minutes, taking deep breaths to let the morning air revive him.

“Hello! American soldier. Can you hear me, American soldier?” Both the musketeers were now visible and looking in the direction of the camp but there were no musket flashes yet.

“Aye. We hear you, Indian. This is an American fort and we can’t let you in. Why are you here?” The American sounded hearty in the early air.

“We’re here for barter only. We have good food if you need it and pelts.”

There was another few minute’s pause from the direction of the fort. Tek had roused the remainder of the party who were now quietly lined up behind Tecumseth.

“And what do you want then? No muskets for Indians. And we have food too.”

Tecumseth sensed the latter claim was a lie. “We can trade for good cooking ware and maybe jackets. The pelts are very fine. If we stay over night we can help with clothing.”

“Do you have muskets or pistols?”

Green Scabre walked up quietly beside his chief. “May I answer, Tecumseth? I have had my own dreams and did the scouting. These men are cold and there are not many inside.”

Tecumseth nodded and Green Scabre spoke firmly. “American, we have none of your long muskets and they’d be no use back on the trail. Let us not trade weapons at all. We will bring the cold meat and roots and we can trade the pots and pelts. We have good fox furs you cannot find in this territory.”

The answer came with unexpectrd suddenness. “Yes. We like this idea, Indian. Wait half-an-hour and you can come through this gate. We will search you though.”

“We have women here. And some cutting knives for rabbits and birds,” Tecumseth answered this time.

“It’s fine. We will just look at your packs and see if the pelts are good. We won’t touch your women. Don’t hide any weapons from us, Indian.” The man’s fear had a touch of anger this time.

Tecumseth and Tek glanced at one another and exchanged a nod. “This is fair. The sun is almost up. Give us a half-an-hour more and we shall come forward.”