sought to master them by the firmness and collectedness
with which he opposed his mind to their infliction. If
his heart was now racked with the most acute suffering--his
reason incapacitated from exercising its calm deliberative
power, the seeming contradiction arose not from any
deficiency in his character, but was attributable wholly
to the extraordinary circumstances of the moment.

It was a part of the profound plan of the Ottawa chief,
that it should be essayed on the two forts on the same
day; and it was a suggestion of the murderer of poor
Donellan, that a parley should be obtained, through the
medium of a white flag, the nature of which he explained
to them, as it was understood among their enemies. If
invited to the council, then they were to enter, or not,
as circumstances might induce; but, in any case, they
were to go unprovided with the pipe of peace, since this
could not be smoked without violating every thing held
most sacred among themselves. The red, or war-pipe, was
to be substituted as if by accident; and, for the success
of the deception, they were to presume on the ignorance
of their enemies. This, however, was not important, since
the period of their first parley was to be the moment
chosen for the arrangement of a future council, and the
proposal of a ball-playing upon the common. Three days
were to be named as the interval between the first
conference of Ponteac with the governor and the definitive
council which was to ensue; during which, however, it
was so arranged, that, before the lip of a red skin should
touch the pipe of peace, the ball-players should rush in