eight o'clock in the morning
Two vessels , mounting some small guns , lay in the river off the fort . The governor was a good soldier , but he was naturally startled at hearing that there was something like a thousand redskins in the woods round ; but he said that now he had warning he was not afraid of 'em . A messenger was sent off in a canoe to carry the tidings east and to ask for re-enforcements , and the traders was all told to get their arms ready . `` At eight o'clock in the morning Pontiac was seen a-coming with three hundred warriors . There had been no declaration of war , and the redskins was supposed to be friendly , so the major did n't like to be the first to commence hostilities , as folks who knew nothing of it might likely enough have raised an outcry about massacring the poor Injuns . Howsumever , he called all the troops under arms and disposed 'em behind the houses . The traders , too , with their rifles , were drawn up ready .