In the year 1760, Detroit was taken possession of by the English. The Indians hated the English, as much as they had loved the French.
Pontiac, the ruling spirit of the forests at this time, was a most powerful and statesmanlike chief. When he found that his friends, the French, had lost their power, he sought to unite the Indian tribes against the English colonies, and to destroy the English garrison at Detroit by strategy.
He was chief of the Ottawas, but possessed great influence over several other tribes. Pontiac believed, and that truly, that the establishment of English colonies would be fatal to the interests of the Indian race.
He strode through the forests like a giant, inciting the tribes to war.
He urged a union of all the Indian nations from the lakes to the Mississippi for the common defense of the race.
There lived near Detroit a beautiful Indian girl, called Catharine. The English commander, Gladwyn, was pleased with her, and showed her many favors, and she formed a warm friendship for him.
One lovely day in May, this girl came to the fort and brought Gladwyn a pair of elk-skin moccasins. She appeared very sad.
"Catharine," said Gladwyn, "what troubles you to-day?"
She did not answer at once. There was a silent struggle going on in her heart. She had formed a strong attachment for the white people, and she was also devoted to her own race.
"To-morrow," she said at length, "Pontiac will come to the fort with sixty of his chiefs. Each will be armed with a gun, which will be cut short and hidden under his blanket. The chief will ask to hold a council. He will then make a speech, and offer a belt of wampum as a peace-offering.
"As soon as he holds up the belt, the chiefs will spring up and shoot the officers, and the Indians outside will attack the English. Every Englishman will be killed. The French inhabitants will be spared."
Gladwyn made immediate preparations to avoid the danger which threatened them. The soldiers were put under arms. Orders were given to have them drawn up in line on the arrival of the Indians the following day.
The next morning Indian canoes approached the fort from the eastern sh.o.r.es. They contained Pontiac and his sixty chiefs. At ten o"clock the chiefs marched to the fort, in fantastic procession. Each wore a colored blanket, and was painted, plumed, or in some way gaily ornamented.
As Pontiac entered the fort, a glance showed him that his plot was discovered. He pa.s.sed in amazement through glittering rows of steel, he made a speech, expressing friendship; but he did not dare to lift the wampum belt which was to have been the signal for attack. He was allowed to depart peaceably.
When he found that his plot had been discovered, his anger knew no bounds. He gathered his warriors from every hand and laid siege to Detroit. He was defeated, and with his defeat ended the power of the Indian tribes in the region of the Upper Lakes.
Detroit became an English town, and afterward an American city. She has gathered to herself the wealth of the fertile regions which lie around her, as well as the commerce of the broad inland seas on either hand.
To-day she has more than one hundred and twenty thousand inhabitants, and is famous for her wealth and culture.
Language Lesson.--Let pupils review, as a written exercise, the spelling of the following words.
treasure rheumatism group desperate release mischievous courtesy separate weary approach redoubled vegetable stealthy caution mighty stratagem peasants exhausted fortnight spectator concealed draughts knowledge necessary freight guidance flickering particular
In the sentences given below, change the verbs so as to represent the action as completed.
"The chiefs march to the fort in fantastic procession. They find that their plot is discovered. Pontiac immediately gathers his warriors from every hand, and lays siege to Detroit. He is defeated, and with his defeat, the power of the Indian tribes is at an end."
In the last two sentences, change the verbs so as to represent future time.
Let pupils make out an _a.n.a.lysis_ and use it in treating the subject--
_The town (or city) that I live in._
_Suggestion_.--Include the location and early history of the town. Its present population. Its different manufactures. How to get to it. Its chief points of interest to a stranger. Anecdotes.
LESSON LXVIII.
heave, _raise; lift_.
mack"er el, _a fish spotted with blue, and largely used for food_.
con geals", _freezes; grows hard from cold_.
ant"lers, _branching horns_.
a main", _suddenly; at once_.
lurks, _lies hidden_.
reels, _frames for winding fishing lines_.
teem"ing, _containing in abundance_.
car"i bou, _a kind of reindeer_.
Mick"mack, _a tribe of Indians_.
THE FISHERMEN.
Hurra! the seaward breezes Sweep down the bay amain; Heave up, my lads, the anchor!
Run up the sail again!
Leave to the lubber landsmen The rail-car and the steed; The stars of heaven shall guide us The breath of heaven shall speed.
From the hill-top looks the steeple, And the light-house from the sand; And the scattered pines are waving Their farewell from the land.
One glance, my lads, behind us, For the homes we leave, one sigh, Ere we take the change and chances Of the ocean and the sky.
Where in mist the rock is hiding, And the sharp reef lurks below, And the white squall smites in summer, And the autumn tempests blow; Where, through gray and rolling vapor, From evening unto morn, A thousand boats are hailing, Horn answering unto horn.