Song of Blue Moccasin

In 1778, the powerful Iroquois confederacy was capable of fielding thousands of painted warriors. General George Washington's rebel army barely survived at Valley Forge, and the threat of Indian war paralyzed the frontiers. With their men gone to the army, defense of cabins and stockades against war parties streaming south from Iroquois lands would be impossible, and the menace of unbridled red massacre terrified even the hardiest. Two men of honored names chose the improbable task of entering the seething Iroquois confederacy to lend their presence and their skill, one at council, and the other deadly in combat, to hold back or split the Iroquois lest they fall upon the frontiers with fire and hatchet. Blue Moccasin, honored message bearer or the Delaware and Quehana, killer of Shawnee-both known to the Iroquois-journey to the heartland of the Iroquois Nations, to speak at council, to dissuade, to influence, to plead, and to demand peace and neutrality-also to fight when necessary.