An instant was enough to satisfy the keen chief of the
true state of the case. The calm composed mien of the
officers, not one of whom had even attempted to quit his
seat, amid the din by which his ears were so alarmingly
assailed,--the triumphant, yet dignified, and even severe
expression of the governor's countenance; and, above all,
the unexpected presence of the prepared soldiery,--all
these at once assured him of the discovery of his treachery,
and the danger that awaited him. The necessity for an
immediate attempt to join his warriors without, was now
obvious to the Ottawa; and scarcely had he conceived the
idea before it was sought to be executed. In a single
spring he gained the door of the mess-room, and, followed
eagerly and tumultuously by the other chiefs, to whose
departure no opposition was offered, in the next moment
stood on the steps of the piazza that ran along the front
of the building whence he had issued.

The surprise of the Indians on reaching this point, was
now too powerful to be dissembled; and, incapable either
of advancing or receding, they remained gazing on the
scene before them with an air of mingled stupefaction,
rage, and alarm. Scarcely ten minutes had elapsed since
they had proudly strode through the naked area of the
fort; and yet, even in that short space of time, its
appearance had been entirely changed. Not a part was
there now of the surrounding buildings that was not
redolent with human life, and hostile preparation. Through
every window of the officers' low rooms, was to be seen
the dark and frowning muzzle of a field-piece, bearing