Pontiac saw signs of dissatisfaction among his own tribe, but his iron will still held his warriors well in hand. The crushing blow came near the close of October in a message from the French commandant at Fort Chartres, on the Mississippi. He told Pontiac that peace had been made between France and England, and gave him clearly to understand that he could expect no help from the French in the continuance of his causeless warfare.
Even then the resolute leader did not yield. He left the vicinity of Detroit with a number of his sub-chiefs and warriors, and visited the Maumee country, where he used all his eloquence and logic to draw these tribes into the war. He met with some success, but it was slight. The French commandant did more than notify him of the close of hostilities. He sent messengers with wampum belts and calumets to the principal tribes between the Ohio and the lakes, warning them to have nothing to do with Pontiac and his scheme, which was highly displeasing to the French. Finally, representatives of the leading tribes met Sir William Johnson at Oswego, and signed a treaty of peace and friendship with the English. Among those who took part in the important proceedings was Pontiac, once the great sachem of the Ottawas.
Pontiac returned to his own country, and was believed to be a good friend of the English, who it is said, gave him a pension, though this is not certain. His inclinations were to help the Americans in the Revolution, but he was held back by General Hamilton at Detroit. While attending an Indian council, the chief was watched by a spy for the English who had become suspicious of him. Pontiac had grown fond of "fire water," and while under its influence, he betrayed his enmity to the English. Because of this he was treacherously killed by the spy, who had been bribed to do the deed by a trader. Thus Philip and Pontiac, two of the foremost of American Indians, were each slain by one of his own race.
SAVED BY THE SPIDER'S WEB
CHAPTER VIII
A GOOD INDIAN
LITTLE CARPENTER, THE CHEROKEE