He watched their leader with close attention and admiration. For more than a dozen years both Creek and Cherokee had respected him because of his natural aversion to the ambitions of colonial settlers, who always wanted more land, and his shrewd utilization of his relations with the British to enhance the well-being of his own people. To obtain this goal, he worked closely with Indian Superintendent John Stuart and also with various military leaders. The king of England had made Emistisiguo and four other leaders “great medal chiefs” in 1765, and this honor gave him special status with the British and his own people.

The young Indian almost dozed off when the lesser chiefs were talking, but he snapped back to attention when Emistisiguo said, “Let us review what has happened. Some of the outcasts from our villages violated our decision and my pledge to refrain from attacks on peaceful white settlers living near the Oconee. All but two of the raiding party were killed at Big Elk’s village, including their families. Since then, the murderer Elijah Clarke has begun training others to make further attacks on us, and they have convinced Governor Wright to stop all trade with our villages. Some of our people are starving, and our braves have stopped hunting because cured skins have no value.”

Several of the chiefs stirred and one of them indicated that he wished to speak. Newota saw that he was Big Elk’s uncle, White Fox. Emistisiguo looked at him sternly and said, “You have made it clear to all of us how you feel, but time for punitive action against the whites has passed. We have lost the support of both the governor and John Stuart, who tell us that war must end.”

White Fox lifted his hand, palm outward, indicating that he still had a comment to make. “I have come to agree with this. All my people insist that trade be resumed, and there is little doubt that continuing warfare is against our best interests. The renegade whites are being brought together as warriors, and this has given more of them the excuse to cross the river into our territory. Even the British troops are protecting them, and we are becoming estranged from our friends. But we must have retribution against those who killed our women and children, since the British have ignored this terrible crime. It is a matter of honor.”

Emistisiguo was obviously impatient to end the discussion, but White Fox was an influential leader and his villages were on the forefront of Creek territory, bordering on land held by the whites to the east and the Cherokees to the north. He was a warrior by inclination, but known to be a good and honest man, embarrassed by the criminal actions of his nephew.