296 BLOCKADE OF DETROIT. [1763, June. 



that he and his comrades were ready to raise the 

 hatchet for Pontiac. The better class of Cana- 

 dians were shocked at this proceeding, and vainly 

 protested against it. Pontiac, on his part, was 

 much pleased at such an accession to his forces, 

 and he and his chiefs shook hands, in turn, with 

 each of their new auxiliaries. The council had 

 been protracted to a late hour. It was dark before 

 the assembly dissolved, " so that," as the chronicler 

 observes, " these new Indians had no opportunity 

 of displaying their exploits that day." They re- 

 mained in the Indian camp all night, being afraid 

 of the reception they might meet among their 

 fellow- whites in the settlement. The whole of 

 the follow^ing morning was employed in giving them 

 a feast of welcome. For this entertainment a large 

 number of dogs were killed, and served up to the 

 guests ; none of whom, according to the Indian 

 custom on such formal occasions, were permitted 

 to take their leave until they had eaten the whole 

 of the enormous portion placed before theai. 



Pontiac derived little advantage from his Cana- 

 dian allies, most of whom, fearing the resentment 

 of the English and the other inhabitants, fled, be- 

 fore the war was over, to the country of the Illinois.^ 

 On the night succeeding the feast, a party of the 

 renegades, joined by about an equal number of 

 Indians, approached the fort, and intrenched them- 

 selves, in order to fire upon the garrison. At day- 

 break, they were observed, the gate was thrown 

 open, and a file of men, headed by Lieutenant Hay, 



1 Croghan, Journal. See Butler, Hist. Kentucky, 463. 



