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 moccasins out of a very curious marked elk-skin. The
Indian woman brought him the moccasins with the remainder of the skin.
The Major was so pleased with them that he ordered her to make him a
second pair of moccasins 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 skin then,
she never would be able to return it.

"Major Gladwin sent for the woman, upon hearing of the expressions which
she had used, and it was evident that she wanted to communicate
something, but was afraid; but on being pressed hard and encouraged, and
assured of protection, she then informed Major Gladwin, that Pontiac and
his chiefs were to come into the fort to-morrow, under the plea of
holding a talk; but that they had cut the barrels of their rifles short,
to conceal them under their blankets, and that it was their intention,
at a signal given by Pontiac, to murder Major Gladwin and all his
officers who were at the council; while the other warriors, who would
also come