horted to redouble their vigilance, to prevent their breaking
through the position.

These notices indicate a confidence of success, doomed to
disappointment. To the precipitation of Mr. Walpole's party, Colonel
Arthur attributed the failure of the expedition. They were instructed
not to attempt a capture, unless a considerable number could be taken;
but the sight of the slumbering enemy probably suspended the
recollection of this order, and was one of those casualties which could
hardly be avoided, in such a wide distribution of command. It was on the
22nd of October this misfortune happened: the natives were discovered
hunting, and were watched, until their evening fires were formed for the
night. No noise being heard, Mr. Walpole supposed they had taken an
alarm, and advanced at twilight towards the first hut, where he saw five
blacks, with their dogs, fast asleep. He seized one man by the feet, and
after a severe struggle detained him: a boy, ornamented with figures on
his body, about fifteen years of age, shared the same lot; but two
others were shot: the remainder fled. The quantity of spears and baskets
left behind, proved that their flight was sudden, and their numbers
considerable.

An attempt was made by the natives to cross the line on the 27th
October. The sentry had set down his piece, and was putting some wood
on the fire, when a spear was thrown at him: he threw the billet in his
hand, and was reaching his musket when he received another spear; an
alarm being given to an adjoining party, the blacks were driven back, of
whom, however, six only were seen.

A circumstance occurred, which strongly confirmed the impression, that
some treacherous whites had directed the natives. In pursuing them as
far as the isthmus, they discovered in their tracks the impression of
shoe-nails, and other evidence of the presence of white men. The reports
were soon spread, that the Oyster Bay and Big River tribes were in the
rear. The hopes of the colony rapidly gave way, and the Governor,
writing to the Secretary of State, on the 21st of November, intimated
his suspicion that the movement would be in vain.

These reports were, indeed, constantly circulated, and tended to damp
the ardour and diminish the vigilance of the line. Some scouring parties
from Norfolk Plains fell in with a tribe of forty, whom they pursued
beyond the Shannon. They followed them for three days, but were
compelled to return: the blacks, in their pro