Page:Lacrosse- The National Game of Canada (New Edition).djvu/88

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and sang froid. None of the forts had better warning of the threatening danger than Michillimackinac. A Canadian told Capt. Etherington, the commandant, the whole plan; and Henry the trader, to whose "Travels" we are much indebted for the particulars of the massacre, was personally warned by an Algonquin, named Wawatam. Henry communicated the warning to the commandant, but the latter paid it no regard whatever.

At the time of which we write the fort was occupied by thirty-five men of H. M. 55th and 80th regiments, and other inhabitants to the number of about ninety souls. The Indians at Michillimackinac had more freedom of intercourse with the fort than at any of the other posts. They strolled in and out at leisure, and though challenged after dusk, they were free to enter during the day. On the afternoon previous to the massacre it was full of Ojibways and Ottawas, professing unusual friendship.

The garrison was never more profoundly at peace than on the early morning of the 4th of June, 1763. It was the birthday of King George; and here, in the heart of the forest, the love of country and sovereign was that day to be celebrated: the