So it was planned in that chamber of death. After a while four
venerable warriors, all of the Metai, were summoned; Atoka, who had as
yet performed no deed to entitle him to membership, was sent outside to
guard the door; and, in the presence of his dead father, Donald Hester
was initiated into the dread secrets of the magic circle. It was a
solemn and trying ordeal, and his face was very pale when it was ended;
but his mouth was firm-set and he seemed to have gained in manliness of
bearing.

A few hours later the body of Major Hester, wrapped in the flag he had
served so faithfully, was laid to rest in the presence of a thousand
Indians, whose friend he had ever been, and over his grave a file of
Ottawa warriors fired the echoing volley that betokened their respect
for his rank.

Then was Donald led away to Pontiac's own lodge, where, in pursuance of
the plan already formed, his entire body was stained a rich coppery
brown and he was, in other ways, carefully disguised as an Ottawa
warrior. It was given out that Atoka was to be sent as a runner to
announce Pontiac's recent victory to distant tribes and to solicit
their aid in carrying on the war. It was also whispered that he was to
be accompanied by a member of the Metai, who should proclaim the dread
curse of the magic circle against Mahng, the Ojibwa, and all who should
give him aid. As the proceedings of this mysterious order were always
conducted in secret, no one was surprised that the identity of its
messenger was not disclosed, nor that his departure should be made at
night unseen of all men save only Pontiac, chief of the Metai.

So greatly did Mahng dread the wrath of Pontiac, that from the first he
took every precaution to conceal the traces of his flight. Thus Donald
was obliged to set forth on this renewed search for his lost sister
without an idea of what course to pursue. He only knew that the
country of the Ojibwas lay to the north, and so in this direction were
his steps first directed.

For many weeks did he and Atoka travel by land and over the waters of
the Great Lakes, down swift rushing streams, along dim trails and
through weary leagues of pathless forest, where they were only guided
by that instinct of woodcraft which, in an Indian, ranks with the
keenest of his senses. To Saginaw and Thunder Bay they went, to
Michilimackinac and L'abre Croche, even to the far northern Sault of
Ste. Marie, without finding those whom they sought.