258 PONTIAC AT DETROIT. [1763, Mat, June. 



silver for the scalp of his friend. Baby declared 

 that the story was false, and protested that he would 

 never betray him. Pontiac for a moment keenly 

 studied his features. " My brother has spoken the 

 truth," he said, " and I will show^ that I believe 

 him." He remained in the house through the 

 evening, and, at its close, wrapped himself in his 

 blanket, and lay down upon a bench, where he 

 slept in full confidence till morning.^ 



Another anecdote, from the same source, will 

 exhibit the power which he exercised over the 

 minds of his followers. A few young Wyandots 

 were in the habit of coming, night after night, to 

 the house of Baby, to steal hogs and cattle. The 

 latter complained of the theft to Pontiac, and 

 desired his protection. Being at that time igno- 

 rant of the intercourse between Baby and the Eng- 

 lish, Pontiac hastened to the assistance of his 

 friend, and, arriving about nightfall at the house, 

 walked to and fro among the barns and enclosures. 

 At a late hour, he distinguished the dark forms of 

 the plunderers stealing through the gloom. " Go 

 back to your village, you Wyandot dogs," said the 

 Ottawa chief; "if vou tread asrain on this man's 

 land, you shall die." They slunk back abashed ; 

 and from that time forward the Canadian's property 

 was safe. The Ottawas had no political connec- 

 tion with the Wyandots, who speak a language 

 radically distinct. Over them he could claim no 

 legitimate authority ; yet his powerful spirit forced 



1 Tradition related by M. Fran9ois Baby. 



