1763, May.] PONTIAC THROWS OFF THE MASK. 231 



ninth of May, the French inhabitants went in pro- 

 cession to the principal church of the settlement, 

 which stood near the river bank, about half a mile 

 above the fort. Having heard mass, they all 

 returned before eleven o'clock, without discovering 

 any signs that the Indians meditated an immediate 

 act of hostility. Scarcely, however, had they done 

 so, when the common behind the fort was once 

 more tlii*onged with Indians of all the four tribes ; 

 and Pontiac, advancing from among the multitude, 

 approached the gate. It was closed and barred 

 against him. He shouted to the sentinels, and 

 demanded why he was refused admittance. Glad- 

 wyn himself replied, that the great chief might 

 enter, if he chose, but that the crowd he had 

 brought with him must remain outside. Pontiac 

 rejoined, that he wished all his warriors to enjoy 

 the fragrance of the friendly calumet. Gladwyn's 

 answer was more concise than courteous, and 

 imported that he would have none of his rabble 

 in the fort. Thus repulsed, Pontiac threw off the 

 mask which he had worn so long. With a grin 

 of hate and rage, he turned abruptly from the gate, 

 and strode towards his followers, who, in great 

 multitudes, lay flat upon the ground, just beyond 

 reach of gunshot. At his approach, they all leaped 

 up and ran off, " yelping," in the words of an eye- 

 witness, " like so many devils." ^ 



Looking out from the loopholes, the garrison could 

 see them* running in a body towards the house of 



1 MS. Letter — Gladiuyn to Amherst, May 14. Pontiac MS., &c. 



