"Pontiac will demand a council," she continued. "At the talk he will start to deliver a belt of wampum. 'Twill be the signal for an attack. The chiefs will fire at you and your officers, and the Indians in the streets will fire at your soldiers."
"You are sure of this?" demanded the English commandant.
"As I am that the sun shines when the sky is fair," answered the Indian maiden.
The major questioned the girl further, and was at last convinced that she spoke the truth. Then he sent her away secretly, that she might not be suspected of having revealed Pontiac's plot.
The news was soon circulated that the Indians were preparing to attack the fort. Major Gladwyn called a meeting of his officers, and it was decided to keep the fort under a strong guard all night. For this purpose, half of the available men were called out, including some of the trappers and traders. It was dark and stormy, and there was no telling but that Pontiac might change his mind and bring on the attack at once.
"How many Indians in this vicinity?" asked Dave of one of the hunters.
"Not less'n fifteen hundred," was the reply. "And more coming every day."
"Then if a fight comes, we'll have a hot time of it."
"Reckon we will have," returned the hunter.
The night passed slowly, and for the most part, silently. Occasionally from a great distance came the sound of the Indian drums, and fierce yells, which told of war dances, and the "making of magic" on the part of the so-styled magicians of the Lakes.