s attacking the fort after he had been so generously dismissed
when his intentions were known, was surely very base," remarked Mrs
Campbell.

"What we consider a generous dismissal, he probably mistook for folly
and weakness. The Indians have no idea of generosity in warfare. Had
Pontiac been shot, he would have died bravely, and he had no idea that,
because Major Gladwin did not think proper to take his life, he was
therefore bound to let us remain in possession of his lands. But
whatever treachery the Indians consider allowable and proper in warfare,
it is not a portion of the Indian's character; for at any other time his
hospitality and good faith are not to be doubted, if he pledges himself
for your safety. It is a pity that they are not Christians. Surely it
would make a great improvement in a character which, even in its
unenlightened state, has in it much to be admired.

"When the form of worship and creed is simple, it is difficult to make
converts, and the Indian is a clear reasoner. I once had a conversation
with one of the chiefs on the subject. After we had conversed some
time, he said, `You believe in one God--so do we; you call him one
name--we call him another; we don't speak the same language, that is the
reason. You say, suppose you do good, you go to land of Good Spirits--
we say so too. Then Indians and Yangees (that is, English) both try to
gain same object, only try in not the some way. Now I think that it
much better that, as we all go along together, that every man paddle his
own canoe. That my thought.'"

"It is, as you say, Captain Sinclair, difficult to argue with men who
look so straightforward and are so practical in their ideas.
Nevertheless," said Mrs Campbell, "a false creed must often lead to
false conduct; and whatever is estimable in the Indian character would
be strengthened and improved by the infusion of Christian principles and
Christian hopes--so that I must still consider it very desirable that
the Indians should become Christians,--and I trust that by judicious and
discreet measures such a result may gradually be brought about."

It was two hours before sunset when they arrived at the spot at which
they intended to pass the night: they landed, and some of the soldiers
were employed in setting up the tent on a dry hillock, while others
collected logs of wood for the fire. Martin Super brought on shore the
bedding, and assisted by Alfred and Henry, placed it in the t