1765.] PONTIAC OFFERS PEACE. 291 



urging the Indians of Ouatanon to burn the Eng- 

 lishman alive. Of this proposal the Indians signi- 

 fied their strong disapprobation, and assured the 

 startled envoy that they would stand his friends, — 

 professions the sincerity of which, happily for him, 

 was confirmed by the strong guaranty of their fears. 



The next arrival was that of Maisonville, a mes- 

 senger from St. Ange, requesting Croghan to come 

 to Fort Chartres, to adjust affairs in that quarter. 

 The invitation w^as in accordance with Croghan's 

 designs ; and he left the fort on the following day, 

 attended by Maisonville, and a concourse of the 

 Ouatanon Indians, who, far from regarding him as 

 their prisoner, were now studious to show him 

 every mark of respect. He had advanced but a 

 short distance into the forest when he met Pontiac 

 himself, who was on his way to Ouatanon, followed 

 by a numerous train of chiefs and warriors. He 

 gave his hand to the English envoy, and both par- 

 ties returned together to the fort. Its narrow pre- 

 cincts were now crowded with Indians, a perilous 

 multitude, dark, malignant, inscrutable ; and it 

 behooved the Englishman to be wary, in his dealings 

 with them, since a breath might kindle afresh the 

 wildfire in their hearts. 



At a meeting of the chiefs and warriors, Pontiac 

 offered the calumet and belt of peace, and professed 

 his concurrence with the chiefs of Ouatanon in the 

 friendly sentiments which they expressed towards 

 the English. The French, he added, had deceived 

 him, telling him and his people that the English 

 meant to enslave the Indians of the Illinois, and 



