It  showed  a  rare  knowledge  of  Indian  character,  of
which  his  own  companions  had  not  dreamed.2  Sub
dued  by  the  boldness  and  decision  of  this  action,
the  hostile  chiefs  forgot  their  swaggering  confi
dence,  and  in  a  few  hours  signed  the  treaty  which
had  been  offered  them.  The  friends  of  Governor
Cass  who  witnessed  the  scene  never  wearied  of
describing  it  and  of  commenting  on  his  bravery.
One  whose  knowledge  of  Indian  character  was
almost  equal  to  that  of  the  governor  was  wont  to
remark  that  for  fair,  frank  courage  in  the  face  of

*  Trowbridge's  account,  Wisconsin  Historical  Collection.
2  Schoolcraft's  Summary  Narrative,  etc.,  p.  80.
118  LEWIS   CABS.
danger  this  action  surpassed  all  others  he  had  ever
known.1  The  habitual  courage  and  dignity  of  Gov
ernor  Cass,  coupled  with  honesty  and  mercy,  won
from  the  Indians  a  respect  and  even  love  for  their
"  Great  Father  at  Detroit,"  and  gradually  forced
westward  and  northward  allegiance  to  Britain  and
undue  respect  for  her  power.
