pale warrior has become the second chief among the Ottawas;
and that when he is dead, the pale warrior will lead the
Ottawas, and take the first seat in the council. He, too,
should smoke the pipe of peace with the Saganaw, that
they may know he is no longer their enemy."

The Indian hesitated, uttering merely his quick ejaculatory
"Ugh!" in expression of his surprise at so unexpected a
requisition. "The pale warrior, the friend of the Ottawa,
is very sick," he at length said; "but if the Great Spirit
should give him back his voice before the chiefs come
again to the council, the pale face will come too. If my
father does not see him then, he will know the friend of
the Ottawa chief is very sick."

The governor deemed it prudent not to press the question
too closely, lest in so doing he should excite suspicion,
and defeat his own object. "When will the Ottawa and the
other chiefs come again?" he asked; "and when will their
warriors play at ball upon the common, that the Saganaw
may see them and be amused?"

"When the sun has travelled so many times," replied
Ponteac, holding up three fingers of his left hand. "Then
will the Ottawa and the other chiefs bring their young
warriors and their women."

"It is too soon," was the reply;. "the Saganaw must have
time to collect their presents, that they may give them
to the young warriors who are swiftest in the race, and