"I shall not open the gates for such a rabble," answered Major Gladwyn. "Go your way and leave us alone, or there may be trouble."
The failure to get into the fort angered Pontiac more than ever, and he broke forth into a tirade of the English, and then stalked off. At once his followers raised a hideous war-cry, and finding some English people at a distance from the stronghold murdered them on the spot.
Major Gladwyn now saw that an attack was inevitable, and the soldiers and hunters were told to be careful how they ventured outside of the palisade.
"You must not dream of leaving this place for the present," he said to Dave and Barringford. "To attempt to do so would be next to suicide."
"I shall stay," said Barringford. "An' ef there's any fightin' to be did, Major, count me in."
"And count me in, too," added Dave, and said this so earnestly that the commandant had to smile.
"All right, maybe we'll give you your fill of fighting," he replied, grimly.
The first real attack on the fort came at daybreak. The Indians came swarming in from all directions, and took up positions behind houses, barns, and outbuildings near the fort, and also behind a small hill to the rear of the stronghold. Each was heavily armed, and bullets rattled like hailstones against the palisades. The Indians' targets were the loopholes, and a few shots were made effective in spite of the garrison's efforts to keep out of range. The regulars and Colonial militia returned the fire smartly, and so did the hunters and trappers.
"Phew! but this is hot work!" ejaculated Dave, after the attack had lasted over two hours. "Just listen to the bullets sing! They must have a lot of ammunition to waste!"
"Jest see thet you don't try to stop one o' them bullets, lad," answered Barringford, gravely.