Original - North Central Michigan College Library

Crafcelg and&Dtornturc$four in number. 49 Thus strong, few entertainedanxiety concerning the Indians, who had noweapons but small arms.Meanwhile the Indians from every quarterwere daily assembling in unusual numbers,but with every appearance of friendship,frequenting the fort, and disposing of theirpeltries in such a manner as to dissipatealmost every one's fears. For myself, on oneoccasion I took the liberty of observing toMajor Etherington that in my judgment noconfidence ought to be placed in them, andthat I was informed no less than four hundredlay around the fort.In return the Major only rallied me on mytimidity; and it is to be confessed that if thisofficer neglected admonition on his part, so didI on mine. Shortly after my first arrival atMichilimackinac in the preceding year aChipewa named Wawatam began to comein his demeanoroften to my house, betrayingstrong marks of personal regard. After thishad continued for some time he came on acertain day, bringing with him his whole49Here, as often, Henry's figures are erroneous. Insteadof ninety, the garrison numbered thirty-five.Francis Parkman suggests that Henry meant to include"all the inhabitants of the fort, both soldiers andCanadians" in his enumeration; but his languageplainly does not admit this interpretation. The fourmerchants were Solomon, Bostwick, Henry, and oneTracy. Of the latter, who was killed in the massacre,I have learned no more than Henry himself sets forth.Editor.73