PONTIAC AND THE TRIBES OF THE HINTERLAND Foremost among the Indian leaders was Pontiac, the over-chief of the Ottawa Confederacy.

It has been customary to speak of this chief as possessed of 'princely grandeur' and as one 'honoured and revered by his subjects.' But it was not by a display of princely dignity or by inspiring awe and reverence that he influenced his bloodthirsty followers.

His chief traits were treachery and cruelty, and his pre-eminence in these qualities commanded their respect.

His conduct of the siege of Detroit, as we shall see, was marked by duplicity and diabolic savagery.

He has often been extolled for his skill as a military leader, and there is a good deal in his siege of Detroit and in the murderous ingenuity of some of his raids to support this view.