1763, Mat.] RAGE OF PONTIAC. 233 



Pontiac had borne no part in the wolfish deeds 

 of his followers. When he saw his plan defeated, 

 he turned towards the shore ; and no man durst 

 approach him, for he was terrible in his rage. 

 Pushing a canoe from the bank, he urged it with 

 vigorous strokes, against the current, towards the 

 Ottawa village, on the farther side. As he drew 

 near, he shouted to the inmates. None remained 

 in the lodges but women, children, and old men, 

 who all came flocking out at the sound of his impe- 

 rious voice. Pointing across the water, he ordered 

 that all should prepare to move the camp to the west- 

 ern shore, that the river might no longer interpose a 

 barrier between his followers and the English. The 

 squaws labored with eager alacrity to obey him. 

 Provisions, utensils, weapons, and even the bark 

 covering to the lodges, were carried to the shore ; 

 and before evening all was ready for embarkation. 

 Meantime, the warriors had come dropping in from 

 their bloody work, until, at nightfall, nearly all 

 had returned. Then Pontiac, hideous in his war- 

 paint, leaped into the central area of the village. 

 Brandishing his tomahawk, and stamping on the 

 ground, he recounted his former exploits, and 

 denounced vengeance on the English. The Indians 

 flocked about him. Warrior after warrior caught 

 the flerce contagion, and soon the ring was filled 

 with dancers, circling round and round with frantic 

 gesture, and startling the distant garrison with 

 unearthly yells.^ 



The war-dance over, the work of embarkation 



1 Parent's Account, MS. Meloche's Account, MS. 



