and anxious to continue their route. Martin Super, who, with
the two youngest boys, had been placed in a separate boat, had been very
attentive to the comforts of the ladies after their embarkation; and it
appeared that he had quite won the hearts of the two boys by his amusing
anecdotes during the day.

Soon after their embarkation, the name of Pontiac being again mentioned
by Captain Sinclair, Mrs. Campbell observed--

"Our man Super mentioned that name before. I confess that I do not know
any thing of Canadian affairs; I know only that Pontiac was an Indian
chief. Can you, Captain Sinclair, give us any information relative to a
person who appears so well known in the province?"

"I shall be happy, Mrs. Campbell, as far as I am able, to satisfy you.
On one point, I can certainly speak with confidence, as my uncle was one
of the detachment in the fort of Detroit at the time that it was so
nearly surprised, and he has often told the history of the affair in my
presence. Pontiac was chief of all the Lake tribes of Indians. I will
not repeat the names of the different tribes, but his own particular
tribe was that of the Ottawas. He ruled at the time that the Canadas
were surrendered to us by the French. At first, although very proud and
haughty, and claiming the sovereignty of the country, he was very civil
to the English, or at least appeared so to be; for the French had given
us so bad a reputation with all the northern tribes, that they had
hitherto shown nothing but the most determined hostility, and appeared
to hate our very name. They are now inclined to be quiet, and it is to
be hoped their fear of us, after the severe conflicts between us, will
induce them to remain so. You are, perhaps, aware that the French had
built many forts at the most commanding spots in the interior and on the
lakes, all of which, when they gave up the country, were garrisoned by
our troops, to keep the Indians under control.

"All these forts are isolated, and communication between them is rare.
It was in 1763 that Pontiac first showed his hostility against us, and
his determination, if possible, to drive us from the lakes. He was as
cunning as he was brave; and, as an Indian, showed more generalship than
might be expected--that is, according to their system of war, which is
always based upon stratagem. His plan of operation was, to surprise all
our forts at the same time, if he possibly could; and so excellent were
his arrangements,