their entrance. Each seemed to embrace every object on
which the eye could rest, as if to fix its position
indelibly in his memory. The young chief, who had been
so suddenly and opportunely checked while in the very
act of pealing forth his terrible war whoop, again looked
up at the windows of the block house, in quest of those
whom his savage instinct had already devoted in intention
to his tomahawk, but they were no longer there. Such was
the silence that reigned every where, the fort appeared
to be tenanted only by the few men of the guard, who
lingered near their stations, attentively watching the
Indians, as they passed towards the gate. A very few
minutes sufficed to bring the latter once more in the
midst of their warriors, whom, for a few moments, they
harangued earnestly, when the whole body again moved off
in the direction of their encampment.




CHAPTER V.

The week that intervened between the visit of the chiefs
and the day appointed for their second meeting in council,
was passed by the garrison in perfect freedom from alarm,
although, as usual, in diligent watchfulness and
preparations for casualties. In conformity with his
promise, the Indian had despatched many of the Canadian
settlers, with such provisions as the country then
afforded, to the governor, and these, happy to obtain