Norwich bulletin., 1913-06-12

into the inclosure, he found the walls bristling with armed and prepared soldiers. It was 9 venture on which hung his entire career; perhaps the whole future of Americas colonists. And the trick had failed. Yet Pom tiac's heavy copper -colored features showed no disappointment as he calm ly stalked out again at the head of his baffled followers and proceeded to lay siege to the place.
 Pontiac was born on the Ottawa river, Canada, in 1720. He early be- came chief of the Ottawa, Ojibway And Pottawatomie tribes. France rul- ed Canada in those days. The north ern Indians loved the French. The English never had the knack of get ting on with the savages. But the French had. Hence. while the In dians were forever fighting the Eng fish, they were almost always Frances loyal friends. When, in 1746 threatened, Pontiac and his braves rescued the fort from peril. In 1755, when the British general, Braddock, blundered into a French and Indian death trap near Pittsburgh, Pontiac is said to have led the Indian section of the attack.
 Then. in 1760. when the French lost Canada to the English, a New Hamp- shire officer-Major Rodgers march ed out from the garrison at Detroit to take possession of that fort.
 Four hunderd Indians lay in ambush to destroy the troops. Pontiac per suaded the 400 lurking savages to give up the idea of attack Then he met the colonists and escorted them safely to Detroit. He was prepared to be the Bnglismen's friend. But the colonists did not treat him as he thought so great chief ought to be treated. His friendship turned to hate. He plotted to destroy every Englishman in the west.
 The Great Conspiracy.
 The Indians have seldom stood to- gether in any strong or permanent confederation. Yet such was Pontiac's genius that he combined numbers of tribes into one mighty league against the English. He mapped out d fine plan of campaign. There were 12 inn portant frontier forts held by the colonists. Pontias arranged that at certain date each of these forts was to be attacked and destroyed and the surrounding country ravaged. He him. self, moved against Detroit The In- dian girls treason to her people saved that fort from surprise. Pontiac then besieged etroit. But Indians have not the knowledge to conduct a long siege. When once the Detroit garri- sonsallied forth against Pontiacs camp, the colonial troops were driven back again with terrific loss of lofe. But Pontiac was forced to give up the siege This wrecked his whole plan of conquest. For though the Indians captured eight of the twelve forts and spread terror throughout the western settlements. yet Detroit had been the key to the whole situation. And Pom tiac's failure to capture that strong hold had lost for him the trust of many of his followers. Some of the tribes deserted. The confederation fell to pieces. The war dragged on until 1765. Then a treaty was signed with the English, and Pontiac became outwardly peaceful again. The great conspiracy had failed. Before another could be formed a Kaskasllia Illinois Indian, in 1769. was bribed by an English trader to murder Pontiac. The price offered for the crime was a barrel of whiskey.
 The Illinois assassin crept up behind Pontiac in the forest and treacherous- ly killed him. The mighty chieftain was buried at St Louis with military hold honors, and his adoring followers avenged his death by neary wiping out every Indian tribe and family in all Illinois.