358 THE MASSACRE. [1763, June. 



and, in their growing uneasiness, they thought it 

 expedient to shift their position to some point 

 more capable of defence. Three hundred and 

 fifty warriors, with their families and household 

 effects, embarked in canoes for the Island of Mich- 

 ilHmackinac, seven or eight miles distant. Wa- 

 watam, with his friend Henry, was of the number. 

 Strong gusts of wind came from the north, and 

 when the fleet of canoes was half way to the Island, 

 it blew a gale, the waves pitching and tossing with 

 such violence, that the frail and heavy-laden vessels 

 were much endangered. Many voices were raised 

 in prayer to the Great Spirit, and a dog was thrown 

 into the lake, as a sacrifice to appease the angry 

 manitou of the waters. The canoes weathered the 

 storm, and soon drew near the island. Two squaws, 

 in the same canoe with Henry, raised their voices 

 in mournful wailing and lamentation. Late events 

 had made him sensible to every impression of hor- 

 ror, and these dismal cries seemed ominous of some 

 new disaster, until he learned that they were called 

 forth by the recollection of dead relatives, whose 

 graves were visible upon a neighboring point of the 

 shore. 



The Island of Michillimackinac, or Mackinaw, 

 owing to its situation, its beauty, and the fish which 

 the surrounding water supplied, had long been a 

 favorite resort of Indians. It is about three miles 

 wide. So clear are the waters of Lake Huron, 

 which wash its shores, that one may count the peb- 

 bles at an incredible depth. The island is fenced 

 round by white limestone cliffs, beautifully contrast- 



