the selfish policy of the English, and point to the only means by which they could revive their declining prowess; he was to stand before his savage auditors and verify, by matchless power of word and gesture, the thrilling story of his greatness, which had been passed from village to village on the tongues of his light footed messengers; he was this day to prove himself the mightiest among a thousand haughty, jealous savage warriors. Truly, the occasion was an exciting one for the assembled tribes. All waited patiently to hear the words of the famous Ottawa chief.

This council took place on the 27th of April, 1763. "On that morning," says a reliable writer, "several old men, the heralds of the camp, passed to and fro among the lodges, calling the warriors in a loud voice to attend the meeting. In accordance with the summons, they came issuing from their cabins - the tall, naked figures of the wild Ojibwas, with quivers slung at their backs, and light war clubs resting in the hollow of their arms; Ottawas, wrapped close in their gaudy blankets; Wyandots, fluttering in painted shirts, their heads adorned with feathers and their leggins garnished with bells." All were soon seated in a wide circle upon the grass, row within row, a mighty and warlike assembly. Each savage countenance wore an expression of gravity. Pipes, with ornamented stems, were lighted and passed from hand to hand, until all had "smoked together in harmony."

Then Pontiac came forth from his lodge, and walked forward into the midst of the council. He was a man of medium height, with a grandly proportioned muscular figure, and an address well calculated to win the admiration and respect of the savage heart. His complexion was rather dark for an Indian, and his features wore a bold and stern expression, while his bearing was imperious and peremptory. His only attire was that of the primitive savage-a scanty cincture girt about his loins, and his long, black hair flowing loosely at his back-excepting the plumes and decorations of the war dress. "Looking around upon his wild auditors," says Parkman, "he began to speak, with fierce gesture and loud, impassioned voice; and at every pause, deep gutteral ejaculations of assent and approval responded to his words."

At this point we will turn for a moment to glance at this won

derful man. Pontiac was the son of an Ottawa chief, and by his valorous deeds, matchless'eloquence and great force of character, had become exceedingly popular and influential among all the tribes in the vicinity of the great lakes. The Ottawas, Ojibwas and Pottawattomies were, at this time, united under a confederacy of which he was both civil and military leader; but his authority extended far beyond these tribes, and was almost unbounded wherever his voice could be heard. He did not owe his greatness to the fact that he was the son of a chief, for among the Indians many a chief's son sinks into insignificance among the common rabble of his tribe, while the offspring of a common warrior may succeed to his place. Personal merit alone can win the respect and obedience of the Indians. In the eyes of his numerous followers, no other person possessed more of this than Pontiac. Courage, resolution, wisdom, eloquence and good address had been the principal passports to his fame and distinction. His intellect was far-reaching, forcible and capacious. His energy and force of character, his great subtlety and craftiness, conspired to elicit the greatest admiration and respect from his wild and reckless followers. Although possessed of all these high qualities, Pontiac was a thorough savage, and, as we shall see, capable of deeds of the blackest treachery. He was now in his fiftieth year, and in the prime of life. His mental and physical powers were unimpaired, and he stood forth the giant of his tribe in both intellect and endurance. In short, he was in every respect qualified to lead his savage people into the bloody contest which followed. When deeds of lofty magnanimity best suited his purpose, Pontiac could respond from the generosity of his own nature, while, from the same source, he could supply the foulest stratagems. During the long wars that had passed, he had been the constant friend and ally of the French, and had led his warriors to battle on many a hard-fought field in the interests of this people against the English. He commanded the Ottawa braves at the memorable defeat of Braddock, and in this contest he fully set forth his rare military skill and great craftiness. He had served the French officers in various capacities, and especially did he render them valuable aid as a leader of Indian warriors in the hour of their greatest peril. For these deeds he had received many marks of

esteem from Montcalm, the brave commander of the French forces, who fell while defending Quebec in 1759.

He gave a full and eloquent exposure of the English policy towards the Indians; spoke of the French in high terms, and contrasted them with the "red coats." He recounted the many insults which he and his followers had received at the hands of the British commandant at Detroit, and ably set forth the danger that would arise were the English allowed to continue their settlements in the west. He said that their enemies had conquered Canada, and were now about to turn upon the Indians and slaughter them without mercy. Already their best hunting grounds had been invaded by their settlers, and, if this was continued, it would not be long before they would be crowded from their homes altogether. Then he took up a broad belt of wampum, saying that he had received it from his great father, the king of France, in token that he had heard the voice of his red children, and was on his way to aid them in a war against the English, and to restore Canada to the French.

A plan of attack upon the western outposts was projected by Pontiac, but through the instrumentality of an Ojibwa girl, that part of the plan contemplating the destruction of Detroit was made known to the commandant at that post. The garrison were not made aware of the plot until the evening previous to the day upon which it was to be executed. Early on the day set, a great number of Indians thronged around the fort. "Soon Pontiac, with sixty of his warriors, each carrying his gun, shortened for the purpose, under the folds of his blanket, appeared at the gate, and asked to hold a council with his father, the commandant. The gate was thrown open and they were admitted. When Pontiac entered, he involuntarily started back, and uttered an exclamation of surprise. He saw at a glance the ruin of his plan. All the garrison were under arms, and so posted as to inclose the band. They passed on to the council house, and there were all the officers ready to receive them, armed and too plainly prepared for the conflict. The chiefs were seated. Pontiac arose to speak with the wampum belt in his hand. He professed that he had come to smoke the pipe of peace, and brighten` the chain of friendship with his English brothers, and, though conscious that he was