262 ROUT OF CUTLER'S DETACHMENT. [1763, Mat. 



the weary sentinel walked to and fro before the 

 quarters of the commandant; an officer, perhaps, 

 passed along with rapid step and anxious face ; or 

 an Indian girl, the mate of some soldier or trader, 

 moved silently by, in her finery of beads and ver- 

 milion. Such an aspect as this the town must have 

 presented on the morning of the thirtieth of May, 

 when, at about nine o'clock, the voice of the senti- 

 nel sounded from the south-east bastion ; and loud 

 exclamations, in the direction of the river, roused 

 Detroit from its lethargy. Instantly the place was 

 astir. Soldiers, traders, and habitants, hurrying 

 through the water-gate, thronged the canoe wharf 

 and the narrow strand without. The half- wild 

 coureurs de hois^ the tall and sinewy provincials, 

 and the stately British soldiers, stood crowded 

 together, their uniforms soiled and worn, and 

 their faces haggard with unremitted watching. 

 Yet all alike wore an animated and joyous look. 

 The long expected convoy was full in sight. On 

 the farther side of the river, at some distance below 

 the fort, a line of boats was rounding the woody 

 projection, then called Montreal Point, their oars 

 flashing in the sun, and the red flag of England 

 flying from the stern of the foremost.^ The toils 

 and dangers of the garrison were drawing to an 

 end. With one accord, they broke into three 

 hearty cheers, again and again repeated, while a 

 cannon, glancing from the bastion, sent its loud 

 voice of defiance to the enemy, and welcome to 



1 Pontiac MS. 



