1763, April.] THE CALUMET DANCE. 209 



the trampled grass ; while the smouldering embers 

 of numberless fires mingled their dark smoke with 

 the white mist which rose from the little river. 



Every spring, after the winter hunt was over, the 

 Indians were accustomed to return to their villages, 

 or permanent encampments, in the vicinity of De- 

 troit ; and, accordingly, after the council had broken 

 up, they made their appearance as usual about the 

 fort. On the first of May, Pontiac came to the 

 gate with forty men of the Ottawa tribe, and asked 

 permission to enter and dance the calumet dance, 

 before the officers of the garrison. After some 

 hesitation, he was admitted ; and proceeding to the 

 corner of the street, where stood the house of the 

 commandant. Major Gladwyn, he and thirty of his 

 warriors began their dance, each recounting his 

 own exploits, and boasting himself the bravest 

 of mankind. The officers and men gathered around 

 them ; while, in the mean time, the remaining ten 

 of the Ottawas strolled about the fort, observing 

 every thing it contained. When the dance was 

 over, they all quietly withdrew, not a suspicion of 

 their designs having arisen in the minds of the 

 English.^ 



After a few days had elapsed, Pontiac's messen- 

 gers again passed among the Indian cabins, calling 

 the principal chiefs to another council, in the Pot- 

 tawattamie village. Here there was a large struct- 

 ure of bark, erected for the public use on occasions 

 like the present. A hundred chiefs were seated 



1 Pontiac, MS. 

 14 



