It was during this expedition that Cornplanter visited his father a second
time. He was residing then in the vicinity of Fort Plain, and ascertaining
where he lived, Cornplanter watched his opportunity and made his father a
prisoner, but managed so adroitly, as to avoid recognition. He marched his
sire ten or twelve miles up the river, and then stepped in front of him,
faced about, and addressed him in the following manner:--
"My name is John O'Bail, commonly called Cornplanter. I am your son! You
are my father! You are now my prisoner, and subject to the customs of
Indian warfare. But you shall not be harmed: you need not fear. I am a
warrior! Many are the scalps I have taken! Many the prisoners I have
tortured to death! I am your son! I was anxious to see you, and greet you
in friendship. I went to your cabin, and took you by force. But your life
shall be spared. Indians love their friends and their kindred, and treat
them with kindness. If now you choose to follow the fortunes of your
yellow son, and to live with our people, I will cherish your old age with
plenty of venison, and you shall live easy. But if it is your choice to
return to your fields, and live with your white children, I will send a
party of my trusty young men to conduct you back in safety. I respect you,
my father: you have been friendly to Indians, and they are your friends."
The father preferred to return to his white children, and was therefore
set at liberty, and escorted back in safety to his own home.
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