“Let the most vigilant caution be used every where along the works, but especially in the rear,” continued the governor, addressing Captain Blessington, on whom the duty of the day had devolved.  “We are safe, while their chiefs are with us; but still it will be necessary to watch the forest closely.  We cannot be too much on our guard.  The men had better remain concealed, every twentieth file only standing up to form a look-out chain.  If any movement of a suspicious nature be observed, let it be communicated by the discharge of a single musket, that the drawbridge may be raised on the instant.”  With the delivery of these brief instructions he quitted the rampart with the majority of his officers.

Meanwhile, hasty preparations had been made in the mess-room to receive the chiefs.  The tables had been removed, and a number of clean rush mats, manufactured, after the Indian manner, into various figures and devices, spread carefully upon the floor.  At the further end from the entrance was placed a small table and chair, covered with scarlet cloth.  This was considerably elevated above the surface of the floor, and intended for the governor.  On either side of the room, near these, were ranged a number of chairs for the accommodation of the inferior officers.

Major Blackwater received the chiefs at the gate.  With a firm, proud step, rendered more confident by his very unwillingness to betray any thing like fear, the tall, and, as Captain Erskine had justly designated him, the noble-looking Ponteac trod the yielding planks that might in the next moment cut him off from his people for ever.  The other chiefs, following the example of their leader, evinced the same easy fearlessness of demeanour, nor glanced once behind them to see if there was any thing to justify the apprehension of hidden danger.

The Ottawa was evidently mortified at not being received by the governor in person.  “My father is not here!” he said fiercely to the major:—­“how is this?  The Ottawa and the other chiefs are kings of all their tribes.  The head of one great people should be received only by the head of another great people!”

“Our father sits in the council-hall,” returned the major.  “He has taken his seat, that he may receive the warriors with becoming honour.  But I am the second chief, and our father has sent me to receive them.”

To the proud spirit of the Indian this explanation scarcely sufficed.  For a moment he seemed to struggle, as if endeavouring to stifle his keen sense of an affront put upon him.  At length he nodded his head haughtily and condescendingly, in token of assent; and gathering up his noble form, and swelling out his chest, as if with a view to strike terror as well as admiration into the hearts of those by whom he expected to be surrounded, stalked majestically forward at the head of his confederates.