On their arrival the chief, their conductor, who was distinguished by the name of the _Big White Man_[42] led his prisoners to the principal lodge.

This was occupied by his mother, the widow of the head-chief of that band, and who was called by them the _Old Queen_.
On entering her presence, her son presented her the little girl, saying,-- "My mother, I bring you a child to supply the place of my brother, who was killed by the Lenape six moons ago.

She shall dwell in my lodge, and be to me a sister.

Take the white woman and her children and treat them kindly--our father will give us many horses and guns to buy them back again." He referred to the British Indian Agent of his tribe, Colonel Johnson, an excellent and benevolent gentleman, who resided at Port Niagara, on the British side of the river of that name.
The old queen fulfilled the injunctions of her son.

She received the prisoners, and every comfort was provided them that her simple and primitive mode of life rendered possible.
* * * * * We must now return to the place and period at which our story commences.
Late in the evening of that day the father returned to his dwelling.