ng well
mounted, the Major and his relief party soon overtook the hindermost
of the little band, but several were too far in advance in their mad
pursuit of the fleeing Indians for him to reach them in time. The
fleeing Indians were making for a grove some three miles away, hotly
pursued by the Major's men. In this grove, as the commander feared, a
large number of the Indians were concealed. When within four or five
hundred yards of this grove he halted and dismounted his men and
formed them in line. Some six or seven of his men were still in advance
following the Indians toward this grove. On nearing the grove, his men
who were in advance, were received with a galling fire, which killed
two and wounded a third. With hideous yells the Indians emerged from the
grove and rapidly approached. They were all mounted, stripped to their
waists and painted for battle. As they reached the bodies of the dead
soldiers, a large number surrounded them, clubbing and stabbing their
lifeless remains. A volley from the rifles of the whites killed two or
three at this point, but by the time the last of the little band had
reached the ridge upon which their comrades were drawn up in line, the
Indians were close upon them and on both flanks. At this point three men
who had been out of their camp hunting for their homes, came in sight
and were massacred in sight of their friends. The main portion of the
battalion had been ordered to hold themselves in readiness for any
emergency, but hearing the yelling, instead of obeying the order,
mounted in hot haste and started to the rescue of their companions. On
discovering the force of the Indians, they retreated to the grove, and
almost neck and neck with the Indians, sprang over their horses and
occupied the Block House.

On the least exposed side of the Fort was a work bench; over this the
Major threw the bridle rein of his horse, and most of the horses huddled
around this as if conscious of their danger. The Indians swarmed around
the Block House under cover; an ominous stillness pervaded the air,
which was soon broken by the crack of the rifles of the white men. The
best marksmen with the best guns were stationed at the port holes, and a
lively fire was kept up by the little garrison. The Indians finding that
they were making no impression, turned their attention to shooting the
horses, twenty-five of which they succeeded in killing. After sharp
firing for two hours they retreated, leaving nine