rendered in some degree habitual to them, the troops flew
to their respective posts; while a few of the senior
officers, among whom was the governor, hastened to the
ramparts to reconnoitre the strength and purpose of their
enemies. It was evident the views of these latter were
not immediately hostile; for neither were they in their
war paint, nor were their arms of a description to carry
intimidation to a disciplined and fortified soldiery.
Bows, arrows, tomahawks, war clubs, spears, and scalping
knives, constituted their warlike equipments, but neither
rifle nor fire-arms of any kind were discernible. Several
of their leaders, distinguishable by a certain haughty
carriage and commanding gesticulation, were collected
within the elevated bomb-proof, apparently holding a
short but important conference apart from their people,
most of whom stood or lay in picturesque attitudes around
the ruin. These also had a directing spirit. A tall and
noble looking warrior, wearing a deer-skin hunting frock
closely girded around his loins, appeared to command the
deference of his colleagues, claiming profound attention
when he spoke himself, and manifesting his assent or
dissent to the apparently expressed opinions of the lesser
chiefs merely by a slight movement of the head.

"There he is indeed!" exclaimed Captain Erskine, speaking
as one who communes with his own thoughts, while he kept
his telescope levelled on the form of the last warrior;
"looking just as noble as when, three years ago, he
opposed himself to the progress of the first English
detachment that had ever penetrated to this part of the