superb calumet. Its red stone
bowl, which held a quarter of a pound of tobacco, was carved with rare
skill, and its long stem was curiously inlaid with shell-work, besides
being ornamented with quills and feathers. After each member of the
council, white as well as red, beginning with Gladwyn, had slowly drawn
a whiff from this mighty calumet, and it came again to Pontiac, he rose
and said:--

"In token of the peace which I desire shall always exist between the
red man and his white brother I now present this pipe to these friends,
that they may keep it forever. That its message may be heard with open
ears, I deliver it to the care of the oldest among you, to him whose
hair is white with the wisdom of many years."

Thus saying, the chief stepped forward and laid the gorgeous calumet
across the knees of Major Hester, while a grunt of approbation came
from the throats of those behind him. Gladwyn, who alone of the
assembled whites knew the meaning of this act, cast a startled and
suspicious glance at the veteran soldier thus singled out for some
other fate than death, while the recipient himself was noticeably
embarrassed by the incident.

But the attention of all was immediately occupied by other things.
Holding a splendid belt of wampum in his hands, Pontiac was now
addressing Gladwyn with the eloquence for which he was so justly famed.
He recounted the many outrages suffered by his people at the hands of
the English, and especially their fur traders. Against these he
demanded protection. He spoke for nearly an hour, during which time
his every gesture was keenly watched by the English officers, who
feared that in spite of their precautions he might still attempt some
desperate move.

Pontiac was in a dilemma. It was customary at the close of a speech to
present the belt of wampum, which the speaker always held, to him who
was expected to reply. To omit this formality would be equivalent to a
declaration of war. It had been understood that his followers were to
fall upon the English officers the moment he should make this
presentation, and there had been no opportunity to alter this
prearranged programme. So the great chief hesitated, held out the
fatal belt, and then made a motion as though to withdraw it. Gladwyn
extended his hand. As he did so, there came a rattling clash of arms
from a passageway at the lower end of the hall and a deafening din of
drums.

Pontiac started, dropped the belt of wamp