lay to avoid suspicion, they were to strike it over again, and follow
it up by a rush after it through the gates; and then, when they were all
in, they would draw their concealed weapons, and overpower the
unsuspicious garrison."

"It was, certainly, a very ingenious stratagem," observed Mrs Campbell.

"And it succeeded, as I have observed, except on three forts. The one
which Pontiac directed the attack upon himself, and which was that which
he was most anxious to obtain, was Detroit, in which, as I have before
observed, my uncle was garrisoned; but there he failed, and by a
singular circumstance."

"Pray tell us how, Captain Sinclair," said Emma; "you don't know how
much you have interested me."

"And me, too, Captain Sinclair," continued Mary.

"I am very happy that I have been able to wear away any portion of your
tedious journey, Miss Percival, so I shall proceed with my history.

"The fort of Detroit was garrisoned by about three hundred men, when
Pontiac arrived there with a large force of Indians, and encamped under
the walls; but he had his warriors so mixed up with the women and
children, and brought so many articles for trade, that no suspicion was
created. The garrison had not heard of the capture of the other forts
which had already taken place. At the same time the unusual number of
the Indians was pointed out to Major Gladwin, who commanded the fort,
but he had no suspicions. Pontiac sent word to the major, that he
wished to `have a talk' with him, in order to cement more fully the
friendship between the Indians and the English; and to this Major
Gladwin consented, appointing the next day to receive Pontiac and his
chiefs in the fort.

"Now it so happened, that Major Gladwin had employed an Indian woman to
make him a pair of mocassins out of a very curiously marked elk-skin.
The Indian woman brought him the mocassins with the remainder of the
skin. The major was so pleased with them, that he ordered her to make
him a second pair of mocassins out of the skin, and then told her that
she might keep the remainder for herself. The woman having received the
order, quitted the major; but instead of leaving the fort, remained
loitering about till she was observed, and they inquired why she did not
go. She replied, that she wanted to return the rest of the skin, as he
set so great a value on it; and as this appeared strange conduct, she
was questioned, and then she said, that if she took away the ski