Page:Lacrosse- The National Game of Canada (New Edition).djvu/83

66 By active misrepresentation the French added fuel to the flame of Indian discontent. The tribes were incited by them to take up arms, under the fear of being exterminated by the English; and were assured that the armies of the King of France, were on their way up the St. Lawrence and Mississippi, to defend and aid them, and, what seemed the most moving argument, to bring them ship loads of "presents." Indeed, we have always thought that there was something of French diplomacy and generalship in the conspiracy which has been named after and attributed to Pontiac. It has always seemed to us as if it was too comprehensive, too methodical, too vast for his conception; and though he was made the responsible instrument of its accomplishment, it exhibits the genius of a master mind in tactics, a flavor of Napoleonic strategy; as if the generalship which failed to preserve the country had conceived a brilliant plan of revenge.

Several plots to destroy the English garrisons between 1761 and 1762 were discovered and frustrated; but at the close of the latter year, was planned the "Conspiracy of Pontiac."

Pontiac was the great high chief of the Ottawas,