About ten o'clock
`` Major Gladwin sent for the woman , upon hearing of the expressions which she had used , and it was evident that she wanted to communicate something , but was afraid ; but on being pressed hard and encouraged , and assured of protection , she then informed Major Gladwin , that Pontiac and his chiefs were to come into the fort to-morrow , under the plea of holding a talk ; but that they had cut the barrels of their rifles short , to conceal them under their blankets , and that it was their intention , at a signal given by Pontiac , to murder Major Gladwin and all his officers who were at the council ; while the other warriors , who would also come into the fort with concealed arms , under pretense of trading , would attack the garrison outside . `` Having obtained this information , Major Gladwin did all he could to put the fort into a state of defense , and took every necessary precaution . He made known to the officers and men what the intentions of the Indians were , and instructed the officers how to act at the council , and the garrison how to meet the pretended traders outside . `` About ten o'clock , Pontiac and his thirty-six chiefs , with a train of warriors , came into the fort to their pretended council , and were received with great politeness . Pontiac made his speech , and when he came forward to present the wampum belt , the receipt of which by the Major was , as the Indian woman had informed them , to be the signal for the chiefs and warriors to commence the assault , the Major and his officers drew their swords half out of their scabbards , and the troops , with their muskets loaded and bayonets fixed , appeared outside and in the council-room , all ready to present . Pontiac , brave as he really was , turned pale : he perceived that he was discovered , and consequently , to avoid any open detection , he finished his speech with many professions of regard for the English . Major Gladwin then rose to reply to him , and immediately informed him that he was aware of his plot and his murderous intentions .