the English agent was present, and the supply of blankets
and other articles sent to the chiefs for distribution had the effect of
removing all animosity. It is true that the Angry Snake and one or two
more made very violent speeches, but they were overruled. The calumet of
peace had been presented and smoked, and all danger appeared to be over
from that quarter. Malachi had gone to the council, and was well
received. He had been permitted to speak also as an English agent, and
his words were not without effect. Thus every thing wore the appearance
of peace and prosperity, when an event occurred which we shall now
relate.

What is termed the Indian summer had commenced, during which there is a
kind of haze in the atmosphere. One morning, a little before dawn, Mary
and Emma, who happened to be up first, went out to milk the cows, when
they observed that the haze was much thicker than usual. They had been
expecting the equinoctial gales, which were very late this year, and
Mary observed that she foresaw they were coming on, as the sky wore
every appearance of wind; yet still there was but a light air, and
hardly perceptible at the time. In a moment after they had gone out, and
were taking up their pails, Strawberry came to them from her own lodge,
and they pointed to the gloom and haze in the air. She turned round, as
if to catch the wind, and snuffed for a little while; at last she said,
"Great fire in the woods." Alfred and the others soon joined them, and
having been rallied by Emma at their being so late, they also observed
the unusual appearance of the sky. Martin corroborated the assertion of
the Strawberry, that there was fire in the woods. Malachi and John had
not returned that night from a hunting expedition, but shortly after
daylight they made their appearance; they had seen the fire in the
distance, and said that it was to northward and eastward, and extended
many miles; that they had been induced to leave the chase and come home
in consequence. During the remainder of the day, there was little or no
wind, but the gloom and smell of fire increased rapidly. At night the
breeze sprang up and soon increased to a gale from the north-east, the
direction in which the fire had been seen. Malachi and Martin were up
several times in the night, for they knew that if the wind continued in
that quarter, without any rain, there would be danger; still the fire
was at a great distance, but in the morning the wind blew almost