promising youth, of a sprightly genius, singular
modesty, and a serious turn, I know of none so well
calculated to answer my end as he is.'

It was with sad misgivings that Joseph thought of turning
his back upon the school, where he had been for scarcely
two years; but Smith promised to continue as his teacher
when they were together in the Indian country, and to
pay him something for his work as an interpreter. This
appealed to the young redskin. It appeared that his
schooldays were ended in any event, for his people were
jealous of his prolonged stay in the lodges of the stranger
and he had received a message calling him back to
Canajoharie Castle.

In the month of June 1763, master and pupil set out
together, but, as fate would have it, Smith's quest among
the tribes was to be quickly ended. Hardly had he begun
his pilgrimage when he found the Indians in wild commotion.
Again the hatchet had been unburied, and for the sake of
security he had to bring his mission to an abrupt end.

Pontiac, great chief of the Ottawas, had raised the
standard of revolt against English rule. This was an
aftermath of the struggle just concluded with France,
and began when the Western Indians saw that another race
of pale-faces had come upon their lands. With skill and
adroitness Pontiac had gathered many tribes into a strong
offensive league. He declared that if they followed in
his train he would drive the feet of the intruder from
the red man's territory. There was a savage rising in
May 1763. In a twinkling eight English posts in the
interior fell before the savages. Fort Ligonier and Fort
Pitt, [Footnote: Formerly Fort Duquesne.] at the head-waters
of the Ohio, and Fort Detroit in the west, were alone
left standing of all the places attacked, and Detroit
was besieged by Pontiac with thirty-six chiefs at his
back. The call to arms in defence was urgent. A portion
of the Six Nations joined their old allies, the English,
and among the warriors who went out was Joseph Brant.
'Joseph tarried,' we are told, 'and went out with a
company against the Indians, and was useful in the war,
in which he behaved so much like the Christian and the
soldier, that he gained great esteem.'

A body of Mohawks were among the troops which brought
succour to Major Gladwyn in his resistance at Fort Detroit
in 1763, and it is possible that Brant was in the thick
of the fight in this vicinity. It is possible, too, that
he was with Colonel Bouquet