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Page 129
It soon became one of the most important of the western outposts of
Canada, and as the French and Indians were usually on the most friendly
terms, the colony for a long time existed in a state of happiness and
contentment.
At the close of the French War, Detroit contained over two thousand
inhabitants. Canadian dwellings with their lovely gardens lined the
banks of the river for miles.
Within the limits of the settlement were several Indian villages. Here
the light-hearted French-Canadian smoked his pipe and told his story,
and the friendly Indian supplied him with game and joined in his
merry-making.
In the year 1760, Detroit was taken possession of by the English. The
Indians hated the English, as much as they had loved the French.
Pontiac, the ruling spirit of the forests at this time, was a most
powerful and statesmanlike chief. When he found that his friends, the
French, had lost their power, he sought to unite the Indian tribes
against the English colonies, and to destroy the English garrison at
Detroit by strategy.
He was chief of the Ottawas, but possessed great influence over several
other tribes. Pontiac believed, and that truly, that the establishment
of English colonies would be fatal to the interests of the Indian race.
He strode through the forests like a giant, inciting the tribes to war.
He urged a union of all the Indian nations from the lakes to the
Mississippi for the common defense of the race.
There lived near Detroit a beautiful Indian girl, called Catharine. The
English commander, Gladwyn, was pleased with her, and showed her many
favors, and she formed a warm friendship for him.
One lovely day in May, this girl came to the fort and brought Gladwyn a
pair of elk-skin moccasins. She appeared very sad.
"Catharine," said Gladwyn, "what troubles you to-day?"
She did not answer at once. There was a silent struggle going on in her
heart. She had formed a strong attachment for the white people, and she
was also devoted to her own race.
"To-morrow," she said at length, "Pontiac will come to the fort with
sixty of his chiefs. Each will be armed with a gun, which will be cut
short and hidden under his blanket. The chief will ask to hold a
council. He will then make a speech, and offer a belt of wampum as a
peace-offering.
"As soon as he holds up the belt, the chiefs will spring up and shoot
the officers, and the Indians outside will attack the English. Every
Englishman will be killed. The French inhabitants will be spared."
Gladwyn made immediate preparations to avoid the danger which threatened
them. The soldiers were put under arms. Orders were given to have them
drawn up in line on the arrival of the Indians the following day.
The next morning Indian canoes approached the fort from the eastern
shores. They contained Pontiac and his sixty chiefs. At ten o'clock the
chiefs marched to the fort, in fantastic procession. Each wore a colored
blanket, and was painted, plumed, or in some way gaily ornamented.
As Pontiac entered the fort, a glance showed him that his plot was
discovered. He passed in amazement through glittering rows of steel, he
made a speech, expressing friendship; but he did not dare to lift the
wampum belt which was to have been the signal for attack. He was allowed
to depart peaceably.
When he found that his plot had been discovered, his anger knew no
bounds. He gathered his warriors from every hand and laid siege to
Detroit. He was defeated, and with his defeat ended the power of the
Indian tribes in the region of the Upper Lakes.
Detroit became an English town, and afterward an American city. She has
gathered to herself the wealth of the fertile regions which lie around
her, as well as the commerce of the broad inland seas on either hand.
To-day she has more than one hundred and twenty thousand inhabitants,
and is famous for her wealth and culture.
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