DETROIT.
To the credulity of mankind each great calamity1 has its dire2 prognostics. Signs and portents4 in the heavens, the vision of an Indian bow, and the figure of a scalp imprinted5 on the disk of the moon, warned the New England Puritans of impending6 war. The apparitions7 passed away, and Philip of Mount Hope burst from the forest with his Narragansett warriors8. In October, 1762, thick clouds of inky blackness gathered above the fort and settlement of Detroit. The river darkened beneath the awful shadows, and the forest was wrapped in double gloom. Drops of rain began to fall, of strong, sulphurous odor, and so deeply colored that the people, it is said, collected them and used them for writing.[172] A literary and philosophical10 journal of the time seeks to explain this strange phenomenon on some principle of physical science; but the simple Canadians held a different faith. Throughout the winter, the shower of black rain was the foremost topic of their fireside talk; and forebodings of impending evil disturbed the breast of many a timorous11 matron.
La Motte-Cadillac was the founder12 of Detroit. In the year 1701, he planted the little military colony, which time has transformed into a thriving American city.[173] At an earlier date, some feeble efforts had been made to secure the possession of this important pass; and when La Hontan visited the lakes, a small post, called Fort St. Joseph, was standing13 near the present site of Fort Gratiot. The wandering Jesuits, too, made frequent sojourns14 upon the borders of the Detroit, and baptized the savage15 children whom they found there.
Fort St. Joseph was abandoned in the year 1688. The establishment of Cadillac was destined16 to a better fate, and soon rose to distinguished17 importance among the western outposts of Canada. Indeed, the site was formed by nature for prosperity;160 and a bad government and a thriftless people could not prevent the increase of the colony. At the close of the French war, as Major Rogers tells us, the place contained twenty-five hundred inhabitants.[174] The centre of the settlement was the fortified18 town, currently called the Fort, to distinguish it from the straggling dwellings19 along the river banks. It stood on the western margin20 of the river, covering a small part of the ground now occupied by the city of Detroit, and contained about a hundred houses, compactly pressed together, and surrounded by a palisade. Both above and below the fort, the banks of the stream were lined on both sides with small Canadian dwellings, extending at various intervals21 for nearly eight miles. Each had its garden and its orchard22, and each was enclosed by a fence of rounded pickets23. To the soldier or the trader, fresh from the harsh scenery and ambushed24 perils25 of the surrounding wilds, the secluded26 settlement was welcome as an oasis27 in the desert.
The Canadian is usually a happy man. Life sits lightly upon him; he laughs at its hardships, and soon forgets its sorrows. A lover of roving and adventure, of the frolic and the dance, he is little troubled with thoughts of the past or the future, and little plagued with avarice28 or ambition. At Detroit, all his propensities29 found ample scope. Aloof30 from the world, the simple colonists31 shared none of its pleasures and excitements, and were free from many of its cares. Nor were luxuries wanting which civilization might have envied them. The forests teemed32 with game, the marshes33 with wild fowl34, and the rivers with fish. The apples and pears of the old Canadian orchards35 are even to this day held in esteem36. The poorer inhabitants made wine from the fruit of the wild grape, which grew profusely37 in the woods, while the wealthier class procured38 a better quality from Montreal, in exchange for the canoe loads of furs which they sent down with every year. Here, as elsewhere in Canada, the long winter was a season of social enjoyment39; and when, in summer and autumn, the traders and voyageurs, the coureurs de bois, and half-breeds, gathered from the distant forests of the north-west, the whole settlement was alive with dancing and feasting, drinking, gaming, and carousing40.
161
Fort and SettlementS of Detroit, A. D. 1763
Larger.
163
Within the limits of the settlement were three large Indian villages. On the western shore, a little below the fort, were the lodges41 of the Pottawattamies; nearly opposite, on the eastern side, was the village of the Wyandots; and on the same side, five miles higher up, Pontiac’s band of Ottawas had fixed42 their abode43. The settlers had always maintained the best terms with their savage neighbors. In truth, there was much congeniality between the red man and the Canadian. Their harmony was seldom broken; and among the woods and wilds of the northern lakes roamed many a lawless half-breed, the mongrel offspring of the colonists of Detroit and the Indian squaws.
We have already seen how, in an evil hour for the Canadians, a party of British troops took possession of Detroit, towards the close of the year 1760. The British garrison45, consisting partly of regulars and partly of provincial46 rangers47, was now quartered in a well-built range of barracks within the town or fort. The latter, as already mentioned, contained about a hundred small houses. Its form was nearly square, and the palisade which surrounded it was about twenty-five feet high. At each corner was a wooden bastion, and a blockhouse was erected48 over each gateway49. The houses were small, chiefly built of wood, and roofed with bark or a thatch50 of straw. The streets also were extremely narrow, though a wide passage way, known as the chemin du ronde, surrounded the town, between the houses and the palisade. Besides the barracks, the only public buildings were a council-house and a rude little church.
The garrison consisted of a hundred and twenty soldiers, with about forty fur-traders and engagés; but the latter, as well as the Canadian inhabitants of the place, could little be trusted, in the event of an Indian outbreak. Two small, armed schooners51, the Beaver52 and the Gladwyn, lay anchored in the stream, and several light pieces of artillery53 were mounted on the bastions.
Such was Detroit,—a place whose defences could have opposed no resistance to a civilized54 enemy; and yet, far removed as it was from the hope of speedy succor55, it could only rely, in the terrible struggles that awaited it, upon its own slight strength and feeble resources.[175]
164
Standing on the water bastion of Detroit, a pleasant landscape spread before the eye. The river, about half a mile wide, almost washed the foot of the stockade56; and either bank was lined with the white Canadian cottages. The joyous57 sparkling of the bright blue water; the green luxuriance of the woods; the white dwellings, looking out from the foliage58; and, in the distance, the Indian wigwams curling their smoke against the sky,—all were mingled59 in one broad scene of wild and rural beauty.
Pontiac, the Satan of this forest paradise, was accustomed to spend the early part of the summer upon a small island at the opening of the Lake St. Clair, hidden from view by the high woods that covered the intervening Isle60 au Cochon.[176] “The king and lord of all this country,” as Rogers calls him, lived in no royal state. His cabin was a small, oven-shaped structure of bark and rushes. Here he dwelt, with his squaws and children; and here, doubtless, he might often have been seen, lounging, half-naked, on a rush mat, or a bear-skin, like any ordinary warrior9. We may fancy the current of his thoughts, the turmoil61 of his uncurbed passions, as he revolved62 the treacheries which, to his savage mind, seemed fair and honorable. At one moment, his fierce heart would burn with the anticipation63 of vengeance64 on the detested65 English; at another, he would meditate66 how he best might turn the approaching tumults67 to the furtherance of his own ambitious schemes. Yet we may believe that Pontiac was not a stranger to the high emotion of the patriot68 hero, the champion not merely of his nation’s rights, but of the very existence of his race. He did not dream how desperate a game he was about to play. He hourly flattered himself with the futile69 hope of aid from France, and thought in his ignorance that the British colonies must give way before the rush of his savage warriors;165 when, in truth, all the combined tribes of the forest might have chafed70 in vain rage against the rock-like strength of the Anglo-Saxon.
Looking across an intervening arm of the river, Pontiac could see on its eastern bank the numerous lodges of his Ottawa tribesmen, half hidden among the ragged71 growth of trees and bushes. On the afternoon of the fifth of May, a Canadian woman, the wife of St. Aubin, one of the principal settlers, crossed over from the western side, and visited the Ottawa village, to obtain from the Indians a supply of maple72 sugar and venison. She was surprised at finding several of the warriors engaged in filing off the muzzles73 of their guns, so as to reduce them, stock and all, to the length of about a yard. Returning home in the evening, she mentioned what she had seen to several of her neighbors. Upon this, one of them, the blacksmith of the village, remarked that many of the Indians had lately visited his shop, and attempted to borrow files and saws for a purpose which they would not explain.[177] These circumstances excited the suspicion of the experienced Canadians. Doubtless there were many in the settlement who might, had they chosen, have revealed the plot; but it is no less certain that the more numerous and respectable class in the little community had too deep an interest in the preservation74 of peace, to countenance75 the designs of Pontiac. M. Gouin, an old and wealthy settler, went to the commandant, and conjured76 him to stand upon his guard; but Gladwyn, a man of fearless temper, gave no heed77 to the friendly advice.[178]
In the Pottawattamie village, if there be truth in tradition, lived an Ojibwa girl, who could boast a larger share of beauty than is common in the wigwam. She had attracted the eye of Gladwyn. He had formed a connection with her, and she had become much attached to him. On the afternoon of the sixth, Catharine—for so the officers called her—came to the fort, and repaired to Gladwyn’s quarters, bringing with her a pair of elk-skin moccasons, ornamented78 with porcupine79 work, which he had requested her to make. There was something unusual in her look and manner. Her face was sad and downcast.166 She said little, and soon left the room; but the sentinel at the door saw her still lingering at the street corner, though the hour for closing the gates was nearly come. At length she attracted the notice of Gladwyn himself; and calling her to him, he pressed her to declare what was weighing upon her mind. Still she remained for a long time silent, and it was only after much urgency and many promises not to betray her, that she revealed her momentous80 secret.
To-morrow, she said, Pontiac will come to the fort with sixty of his chiefs. Each will be armed with a gun, cut short, and hidden under his blanket. Pontiac will demand to hold a council; and after he has delivered his speech, he will offer a peace-belt of wampum, holding it in a reversed position. This will be the signal of attack. The chiefs will spring up and fire upon the officers, and the Indians in the street will fall upon the garrison. Every Englishman will be killed, but not the scalp of a single Frenchman will be touched.[179]
167
Such is the story told in 1768 to the traveller Carver at Detroit, and preserved in local tradition, but not sustained by contemporary letters or diaries. What is certain is, that Gladwyn received secret information, on the night of the sixth of May, that an attempt would be made on the morrow to capture the fort by treachery. He called some of his officers, and told them what he had heard. The defences of the place were feeble and extensive, and the garrison by far too weak to repel81 a general assault. The force of the Indians at this time is variously estimated at from six hundred to two thousand; and the commandant greatly feared that some wild impulse might precipitate82 their plan, and that they would storm the fort before the morning. Every preparation was made to meet the sudden emergency. Half the garrison were ordered under arms, and all the officers prepared to spend the night upon the ramparts.
The day closed, and the hues83 of sunset faded. Only a dusky redness lingered in the west, and the darkening earth seemed her dull self again. Then night descended84, heavy and black, on the fierce Indians and the sleepless85 English. From sunset till dawn, an anxious watch was kept from the slender palisades of Detroit. The soldiers were still ignorant of the danger; and the sentinels did not know why their numbers were doubled, or why, with such unwonted vigilance, their officers repeatedly visited their posts. Again and again Gladwyn mounted his wooden ramparts, and looked forth86 into the gloom. There seemed nothing but repose87 and peace in the soft, moist air of168 the warm spring evening, with the piping of frogs along the river bank, just roused from their torpor88 by the genial44 influence of May. But, at intervals, as the night wind swept across the bastion, it bore sounds of fearful portent3 to the ear, the sullen89 booming of the Indian drum and the wild chorus of quavering yells, as the warriors, around their distant camp-fires, danced the war-dance, in preparation for the morrow’s work.
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1
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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dire
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| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
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portent
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| n.预兆；恶兆；怪事 | |
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portents
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| n.预兆( portent的名词复数 )；征兆；怪事；奇物 | |
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5
imprinted
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| v.盖印（imprint的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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impending
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| a.imminent, about to come or happen | |
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apparitions
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| n.特异景象( apparition的名词复数 )；幽灵；鬼；（特异景象等的）出现 | |
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warriors
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| 武士，勇士，战士( warrior的名词复数 ) | |
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warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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10
philosophical
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| adj.哲学家的，哲学上的，达观的 | |
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timorous
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| adj.胆怯的，胆小的 | |
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Founder
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| n.创始者，缔造者 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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sojourns
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| n.逗留，旅居( sojourn的名词复数 ) | |
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savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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16
destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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17
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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fortified
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| adj. 加强的 | |
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dwellings
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| n.住处，处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
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margin
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| n.页边空白；差额；余地，余裕；边，边缘 | |
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intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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orchard
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| n.果园，果园里的全部果树，(美俚)棒球场 | |
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23
pickets
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| 罢工纠察员( picket的名词复数 ) | |
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24
ambushed
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| v.埋伏( ambush的过去式和过去分词 )；埋伏着 | |
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perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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secluded
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| adj.与世隔绝的；隐退的；偏僻的v.使隔开，使隐退( seclude的过去式和过去分词) | |
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27
oasis
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| n.（沙漠中的）绿洲，宜人的地方 | |
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avarice
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| n.贪婪；贪心 | |
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propensities
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| n.倾向，习性( propensity的名词复数 ) | |
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30
aloof
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| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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colonists
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| n.殖民地开拓者，移民，殖民地居民( colonist的名词复数 ) | |
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32
teemed
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| v.充满( teem的过去式和过去分词 )；到处都是；（指水、雨等）暴降；倾注 | |
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marshes
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| n.沼泽，湿地( marsh的名词复数 ) | |
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fowl
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| n.家禽，鸡，禽肉 | |
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orchards
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| （通常指围起来的）果园( orchard的名词复数 ) | |
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esteem
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| n.尊敬，尊重；vt.尊重，敬重；把…看作 | |
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profusely
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| ad.abundantly | |
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procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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carousing
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| v.痛饮，闹饮欢宴( carouse的现在分词 ) | |
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41
lodges
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| v.存放( lodge的第三人称单数 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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45
garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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46
provincial
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| adj.省的，地方的；n．外省人，乡下人 | |
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rangers
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| 护林者( ranger的名词复数 )； 突击队员 | |
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48
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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49
gateway
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| n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法 | |
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50
thatch
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| vt.用茅草覆盖…的顶部；n.茅草(屋) | |
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51
schooners
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| n.（有两个以上桅杆的）纵帆船( schooner的名词复数 ) | |
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52
beaver
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| n.海狸，河狸 | |
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53
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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54
civilized
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| a.有教养的，文雅的 | |
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55
succor
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| n.援助，帮助；v.给予帮助 | |
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56
stockade
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| n.栅栏，围栏；v.用栅栏防护 | |
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57
joyous
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| adj.充满快乐的；令人高兴的 | |
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58
foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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59
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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isle
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| n.小岛，岛 | |
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61
turmoil
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| n.骚乱，混乱，动乱 | |
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62
revolved
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| v.（使）旋转( revolve的过去式和过去分词 )；细想 | |
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anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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detested
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| v.憎恶，嫌恶，痛恨( detest的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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66
meditate
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| v.想，考虑，（尤指宗教上的）沉思，冥想 | |
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67
tumults
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| 吵闹( tumult的名词复数 )； 喧哗； 激动的吵闹声； 心烦意乱 | |
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patriot
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| n.爱国者，爱国主义者 | |
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69
futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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70
chafed
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| v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的过去式 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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71
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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maple
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| n.槭树，枫树，槭木 | |
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73
muzzles
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| 枪口( muzzle的名词复数 )； （防止动物咬人的）口套； （四足动物的）鼻口部； （狗）等凸出的鼻子和口 | |
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74
preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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76
conjured
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| 用魔术变出( conjure的过去式和过去分词 )； 祈求，恳求； 变戏法； （变魔术般地） 使…出现 | |
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heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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ornamented
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| adj.花式字体的v.装饰，点缀，美化( ornament的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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79
porcupine
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| n.豪猪， 箭猪 | |
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80
momentous
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| adj.重要的，重大的 | |
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81
repel
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| v.击退，抵制，拒绝，排斥 | |
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82
precipitate
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| adj.突如其来的；vt.使突然发生；n.沉淀物 | |
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83
hues
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| 色彩( hue的名词复数 )； 色调； 信仰； 观点 | |
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84
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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85
sleepless
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| adj.不睡眠的，睡不著的，不休息的 | |
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86
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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87
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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88
torpor
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| n.迟钝；麻木；（动物的）冬眠 | |
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89
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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