The Canadian Brothers | Page 5

of the large vessel then on the stacks--the immediate
neighbourhood of the fort presented evidence of some more than
ordinary interest. The encampment of the Indians, on the verge of the
forest, had given forth the great body of their warriors, and these clad in
their gayest apparel, covered with feathers and leggings of bright
colours, decorated with small tinkling bells that came not
inharmoniously on the ear, as they kept tone to the measured walk of
their proud wearers, were principally assembled around and in front of
the large building we have described as being without, yet adjacent to,
the fort. These warriors might have been about a thousand in number,
and amused themselves variously--(the younger at least)--with
leaping--wrestling--ball playing-and the foot race--in all which
exercises they are unrivalled. The elders bore no part in these
amusements, but stood, or sat cross legged, on the edge of the bank,
smoking their pipes, and expressing their approbation of the prowess or
dexterity of the victors in the games, by guttural, yet rapidly uttered
exclamations. Mingled with these were some six or seven individuals,
whose glittering costume of scarlet announced them for officers of the
garrison, and elsewhere dispersed, some along the banks and crowding
the battery in front of the fort, or immediately around the building, yet
quite apart from their officers, were a numerous body of the inferior
soldiery.
But although these distinct parties were assembled, to all appearance,
with a view, the one to perform in, the other to witness, the active
sports we have enumerated, a close observer of the movements of all
would hare perceived there was something more important in
contemplation, to the enactment of which these exercises were but a
prelude. Both officers, and men, and even the participators in the sports,
turned their gaze frequently up the Detroit, as if they expected some
important approach. The broad reach of the wide river, affording an
undisturbed view, as we have stated, for a distance of some nine or ten
miles, where commenced the near extremity of Turkey Island,

presented nothing, however, as yet, to their gate, and repeatedly were
the telescopes of the officers raised only to fall in disappointment from
the eye. At length a number of small dark specks were seen studding
the tranquil bosom of the river, as they emerged rapidly, one after the
other, from the cover of the island. The communication was made, by
him who first discovered them, to his companions. The elder Indians
who sat near the spot on which the officers stood, were made
acquainted with what even their own sharp sight could not distinguish
unaided by the glass. One sprang to his feet, raised the telescope to his
eye, and with an exclamation of wonder at the strange properties of the
instrument, confirmed to his followers the truth of the statement. The
elders, principally chiefs, spoke in various tongues to their respective
warriors. The sports were abandoned, and all crowded to the bank with
anxiety and interest depicted in their attitudes and demeanor.
Meanwhile, the dark specks upon the water increased momentarily in
size. Presently they could be distinguished for canoes, which, rapidly
impelled, and aided in their course by the swift current, were not long
in developing themselves to the naked eye. These canoes, about fifty in
number, were of bark, and of so light a description, that a man of
ordinary strength might, without undergoing serious fatigue, carry one
for miles. The warriors who now propelled them, were naked in all
save their leggings and waist cloths, their bodies and faces begrimed
with paint: and as they drew neater, fifteen was observed to be the
complement of each. They sat by twos on the narrow thwarts; and, with
their faces to the prow, dipped their paddles simultaneously into the
stream, with a regularity of movement not to be surpassed by the most
experienced boat's crew of Europe. In the stern of each sat a chief
guiding his bark, with the same unpretending but skilful and efficient
paddle, and behind him, drooping in the breezeless air, and trailing in
the silvery tide, was to be seen a long pendant, bearing the red cross of
England.
It was a novel and beautiful sight to behold that imposing fleet of
canoes, apparently so frail in texture that the dropping of a pebble
between the skeleton ribs might be deemed sufficient to perforate and
sink them, yet withal so ingeniously contrived as to bear safely not only
the warriors who formed their crews, hut also their arms of all
descriptions, and such light equipment of raiment and necessaries as

were indispensable to men who had to voyage long and far in pursuit of
the goal they were now rapidly attaining. The Indians already
encamped near the fort, were warriors