1763, May, June.] PERIL OF THE GARRISON. 247 



outbuildings which gave shelter to the enemy. 

 They cut down orchard trees, and levelled fences, 

 until the ground about the fort was clear and 

 open, and the enemy had no cover left from 

 whence to fire. The two vessels in the river, 

 sweeping the northern and southern curtains of the 

 works with their fire, deterred the Indians from 

 approaching those points, and gave material aid to 

 the garrison. Still, worming their way through 

 the grass, sheltering themselves behind every rising 

 ground, the pertinacious savages would crawl close 

 to the palisade, and shoot arrows, tipped with burn- 

 ing tow, upon the roofs of the houses ; but cisterns 

 and tanks of water were everywhere provided against 

 such an emergency, and these attempts proved 

 abortive. The little church, which stood near 

 the palisade, was particularly exposed, and would 

 probably have been set on fire, had not the priest 

 of the settlement threatened Pontiac with the ven- 

 geance of the Great Spirit, should he be guilty of 

 such sacrilege. Pontiac, who was filled with eager- 

 ness to get possession of the garrison, neglected no 

 expedient that his savage tactics could supply. He 

 went farther, and begged the French inhabitants to 

 teach him the European method of attacking a 

 fortified place by regular approaches ; but the rude 

 Canadians knew as little of the matter as he ; or 

 if, by chance, a few w^ere better informed, they 

 wisely preferred to conceal their knowledge. Soon 



before Yesterday, we killed a Chief and three others, and wounded some 

 more ; yesterday went up with our Sloop, and battered their Cabins in 

 such a Manner that they are glad to keep farther oflf." 



