"The Injuns mean mischief," said one of the trappers, a fellow named Cassaway. "We have got to be on our guard, or we'll be wiped out."
"I believe you," answered Dave, and told of some of the happenings around Fort Cumberland.
What the Indians under Pontiac intended to do was partly revealed to Major Gladwyn on the day following the return of Dave and Barringford to the fort. The secret leaked out in the following manner:
Among the Ojibwas of that vicinity dwelt a fair Indian maiden known to the English by the name of Catherine. She often visited the fort, and tradition states that she fell in love with the commandant.
On the day mentioned, Catherine came to the stronghold with a pair of elkskin moccasins which the major had commissioned her to make. Having delivered the moccasins, the girl seemed loath to leave the stockade and hung around until it came time to close the gates for the night.
"What is the matter, Catherine?" asked Major Gladwyn, coming up to her. "It is getting late. Why do you not return to your home?"
At first the girl would not answer, but at last she said she had something on her mind which she must tell.
"But the white master must not say that Catherine told him," she whispered. "Catherine takes her life in her hands to speak of it."
"I'll protect you, Catherine, so have no fear," returned the major.
Thereupon the girl revealed her secret, which was to the effect that on the following day Pontiac would visit the fort, bringing along sixty of his best warriors. Each warrior would wear his long blanket and under his blanket would carry a gun, the barrel filed off short.