CHAPTEE XI. 



1763. 



TREACHERY OF PONTIAC. 



The mght passed without alarm. The sun rose 

 upon fresh fields and newly budding woods, and 

 scarcely had the morning mists dissolved, when the 

 garrison could see a fleet of birch canoes crossing 

 the river from the eastern shore, within range of 

 cannon shot above the fort. Only two or three 

 warriors appeared in each, but all moved slowly, 

 and seemed deeply laden. In truth, they were full 

 of savages, lying flat on their faces, that then* num- 

 bers might not excite the suspicion of the English.^ 



At an early hour the open common behind the 

 fort was throDged with squaws, children, and war- 

 riors, some naked, and others fantastically arrayed 

 in their barbarous finery. All seemed restless and 

 uneasy, moving hither and thither, in apparent 

 preparation for a general game of baU. Many tall 

 warriors, wrapped in their blankets, were seen 

 stalking towards the fort, and casting mahgnant 

 furtive glances upward at the paHsades. Then, 



1 Mdocke's Account, MS. 



