ning apprehensions
that they would be attacked by the English, and the Indians who had
joined them, took refuge on the Island of Mackinac, Wawatam fearing
that Henry would be butchered by the savages in their drunken revels,
took him out to a cave, where he lay concealed for one night on a heap
of human bones. As the Fort was not destroyed, it was subsequently
reoccupied by British soldiers, and the removal to the Island did not
take place until about the year 1780.

Old Mackinaw, the theatre of so many thrilling scenes and tragic
incidents, has a history as a white settlement, reaching back to 1620,
the year of the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth. W. M. Johnson,
Esq., of Mackinac Island, in describing its history, says: "Mackinaw
City," for such has become the name of this wonderful point, "with
its coasts and the islands before it, has been the theatre of some of
the most exciting and interesting events in Indian history, previous
to the arrival of the 'white man.' It was the metropolis of a portion
of the Ojibwa and Ottawa nations. It was there that their Congresses
met, to adopt a policy which terminated in the conquest of the country
south of it; it was there that the tramping feet of thousands of
plumed and painted warriors shook Pe-quod-e-nonge--the Indian
name--while dancing their war dances, it was from thence that the
startling sound of the war yell of these thousands was wafted to the
adjacent coast and islands, making the peaceful welkin ring with their
unearthly shouts of victory or death.

"How remarkable, in reflecting upon the early and sound judgment of
the Indians in seizing upon the points commanding all the natural
avenues and passes of the Lakes, when it is considered that there
selections must necessarily have been the result of an intimate
knowledge with the geographical features of the country! This has been
yearly proved by the re-occupation of posts and places long neglected,
but the importance of which has become evident in proportion as we
have set a just value upon the Indian's judgment, with the natural
advantages of the country. Perhaps in no instance, is this more
strikingly exemplified than in Mackinaw City, the commanding position
of which, although always known to the Indians, Traders, and
Missionaries, and lately confirmed by Military Scientific Europeans;
_but as yet not perceived by our Government_. It is the only point
which can control the passage of the Straits of Mackinaw,