1763, Mat.] A NIGHT OF ANXIETY. 221 



Such is the story told in 1768 to the traveller 

 Carver at Detroit, and presei*ved in local tradition, 

 but not sustained by contempoi-ary letters or diaries. 

 What is certain is, that Gladwyn received secret 

 information, on the night of the sixth of May, that 

 an attempt would be made on the morrow to cap- 

 ture the fort by treachery. He called some of his 

 officers, and told them what he had heard. The 

 defences of the place were feeble and extensive, 

 and the garrison by far too weak to repel a general 

 assault. The force of the Indians at this time is 

 variously estimated at from six hundred to two 

 thousand ; and the commandant greatly feared that 

 some wild impulse might precipitate their plan, 

 and that they would storm the fort before the morn- 

 ing. Every preparation was made to meet the 

 sudden emergency. Half the garrison were ordered 

 under arms, and all the officers prepared to spend 

 the night upon the ramparts. 



The day closed, and the hues of sunset faded. 

 Only a dusky redness lingered in the west, and 

 the darkening earth seemed her dull self again. 

 Then night descended, heavy and black, on the 



whose name he promised never to reveal ; whereupon they went off, and 

 carried the old woman prisoner with them. When they arrived at their 

 camp, Pontiac, their greatest chief, seized on the prisoner, and gave her 

 three strokes with a stick on the head, which laid her flat on the ground, 

 and the whole nation assembled round her, and called repeated times, 

 'Kill her! kill her !' " 



Thus it is clear that the story told by Carver must be taken with 

 many grains of allowance. The greater part of the evidence given above 

 has been gathered since the first edition of this book was published. It 

 has been thought best to retain the original passage, with the necessary 

 qualifications. The story is not without interest, and those may believe 

 it who win. 



