1763, May.] A TRUCE. 237 



a neutral position between the English and the 

 Indians, was despatched to the camp of Pontiac, to 

 demand the reasons of his conduct, and declare 

 that the commandant was ready to redress any real 

 grievance of which he might complain. Two old 

 Canadians of Detroit, Chapeton and Godefroy, ear- 

 nest to forward the negotiation, offered to accompany 

 him. The gates were opened for their departure, 

 and many other inhabitants of the place took this 

 opportunity of leaving it, alleging as their motive, 

 that they did not wish to see the approaching 

 slaughter of the English. 



Eeaching the Indian Camp, the three ambassa- 

 dors were received by Pontiac with great apparent 

 kindness. La Butte delivered his message, and 

 the two Canadians labored to dissuade the chief, 

 for his own good and for theirs, from pursuing 

 his hostile purposes. Pontiac stood listening, 

 armed with the true impenetrability of an Indian. 

 At every proposal, he uttered an ejaculation of 

 assent, partly from a strange notion of courtesy 

 peculiar to his race, and partly from the deep dis- 

 simulation which seems native to their blood. Yet 

 with all this seeming acquiescence, the heart of 

 the savage was unmoved as a rock. The Canadi- 

 ans were completely deceived. Leaving Chapeton 

 and Godefroy to continue the conference and push 

 the fancied advantage, La Butte hastened back to 

 the fort. He reported the happy issue of his mis- 

 sion, and added that peace might readily be had 

 by making the Indians a few presents, for which 

 they are always rapaciously eager. When, however. 



