ort was not a strong one; its chief defences were three block houses,
circumvallating pickets from fourteen to sixteen feet high, and a
ditch about eight feet wide and as many feet deep; they had one iron
six-pounder cannon. Of course, swords and rifles were not lacking, and
the men were Kentucky sharpshooters.

"General Harrison heard that the British were moving against Fort
Stephenson. He had visited the fort, and felt convinced that it could
not be held against an attack with heavy artillery, so had said to
Major Croghan: 'Should the British approach you in force with cannon,
and you can discover them in time to effect a retreat, you will do so
immediately, destroying all the public stores. You must be aware that
to attempt a retreat in the face of an Indian force would be vain.
Against such an enemy your garrison would be safe, however great the
number.'

"On learning of the intended descent of the British upon Fort
Stephenson, Harrison held a consultation with his officers--McArthur,
Holmes, Graham, Paul, Hukill, Wood, and Ball. They were unanimously of
the opinion that Fort Stephenson could not be successfully defended
against an enemy approaching in such force, and that Major Croghan
ought immediately to comply with his general's standing order to
evacuate."

"Moving order, I should think, father," laughed Lucilla.

"Yes," returned the captain with a smile; "but knowing Croghan's
innate bravery, Harrison feared he would not move promptly, so sent
him another order to abandon the fort. It was carried by a white man
named Connor and two Indians. They started at midnight and lost their
way in the dark. So they did not reach the fort until the next day
about eleven o'clock, and by that time the woods were swarming with
Indians.

"Major Croghan called his officers together and consulted them in
regard to a retreat. A majority were of his opinion--that such a step
would be disastrous, now that the Indians swarmed in the woods, and
that the post might be maintained.

"Croghan immediately sent a reply to Harrison's order, saying it had
come too late to be carried into execution, that they had determined
to maintain the place--that they could and would do so. It was a
disobedience of orders, but not so intended. The gallant young major
thought that the previous order, which spoke of the danger of a
retreat in the face of an Indian force, justified him in remaining, as
that force was already there when this second