WACOUSTA;
or
THE PROPHECY.

Volume Two of Three




CHAPTER I.

It was on the evening of that day, so fertile in melancholy
incident, to which our first volume has been devoted,
that the drawbridge of Detroit was, for the third time
since the investment of the garrison, lowered; not, as
previously, with a disregard of the intimation that might
be given to those without by the sullen and echoing rattle
of its ponderous chains, but with a caution attesting
how much secrecy of purpose was sought to be preserved.
There was, however, no array of armed men within the
walls, that denoted an expedition of a hostile character.
Overcome with the harassing duties of the day, the chief
portion of the troops had retired to rest, and a few
groups of the guard alone were to be seen walking up and
down in front of their post, apparently with a view to
check the influence of midnight drowsiness, but, in
reality, to witness the result of certain preparations
going on by torchlight in the centre of the barrack
square.