288 TREACHERY OF PONTIAC. [1763, May. 



he returned to the Indian camp, he found, to his 

 chagrin, that his companions had made no progress 

 in the negotiation. Though still professing a strong 

 desire for peace, Pontiac had evaded every definite 

 proposal. At La Butte's appearance, all the chiefs 

 withdrew to consult among themselves. They 

 returned after a short debate, and Pontiac declared 

 that, out of their earnest desire for firm and lasting 

 peace, they wished to hold council with their Eng- 

 lish fathers themselves. With this view, they were 

 especially desirous that Captain Campbell, second 

 in command, should visit their camp. This veteran 

 officer, frqm his just, upright, and manly character, 

 had gained the confidence of the Indians. To the 

 Canadians the proposal seemed a natural one, and 

 returning to the fort, they laid it before the com- 

 mandant. Gladwyn suspected treachery, but Cap- 

 tain Campbell ui-gently asked permission to comply 

 with the request of Pontiac. He felt, he said, no 

 fear of the Indians, with whom he had always 

 maintained the most friendly terms. Gladwyn, 

 with some hesitation, acceded ; and Campbell left 

 the fort, accompanied by a junior officer. Lieutenant 

 M'Dougal, and attended by La Butte and several 

 other Canadians. 



In the mean time, M. Gouin, anxious to learn 

 what was passing, had entered the Indian camp, 

 and, moving from lodge to lodge, soon saw and 

 heard enough to convince him that the two British 

 officers were advancing into the lion's jaws.^ He 

 hastened to despatch two messengers to warn them 



1 Gouin's Account, MS. 



