f yelling savages. In
another moment they would have overwhelmed him. Suddenly the stately
form of Pontiac appeared among the rabble, and at the sound of his
imperious voice they slunk aside like whipped curs. Instantly the
tumult was allayed. In the silence that followed, the great chief
greeted the British officer with a grave courtesy, shook his hand, and
conducted him into the village.

The Ottawa encampment was a confused assemblage of tall, cone-shaped
lodges, built of slender poles supporting great sheets of bark or
overlapping folds of fine matting so closely woven from rushes as to be
thoroughly rain-proof. Scores of graceful birch canoes, such as the
northern tribes excel in making, were drawn up on the river bank;
paddles and spears leaned against the lodges, smoke-blackened kettles
and other rude cooking-utensils were scattered about the smouldering
fires, and a throng of wolfish-looking dogs added their discordant
baying to the clamor of children.

At the council lodge, which was conspicuous from its size, Major Hester
was offered a seat on one of a circle of mats. As he took it, the
other mats, as well as every inch of standing-room, were immediately
occupied by a throng of warriors, while the entrance was crowded by
many others, all eager to catch a glimpse of the Englishman.

After the tedious ceremony of smoking the peace pipe was concluded,
Pontiac delivered a short address of welcome, to which the major
responded. He demanded to know the cause of the morning's outbreak,
and assured the Indians that their just grievances should be remedied,
provided they gave up for punishment all who had been implicated in the
murders of the previous day.

The major resumed his seat upon the conclusion of his remarks, amid a
profound silence that lasted for many minutes. Finally, determined to
learn the worst without further delay, he again rose and said, that
having no answer to his questions, he would now return to the fort and
report to the white chief that his red brothers desired not peace, but
war.

Upon this Pontiac signed to him to resume his seat, and turning to the
two Canadians, said:--

"Go to the fort and tell Major Gladwyn that the white-haired chief will
sleep among the lodges of his red brothers. Tell him that the hatchet
dug up this day will not be buried so long as an Englishman remains in
the land of the Algonquins. Tell him that every fort from the Thunder
of Waters to the Great R