the most intelligent of the colonists
were made familiar, so that they might be carried into effect for the
good of those who might happen to survive.

On the 8th of November, while these warlike preparations were still far
from being completed, intelligence arrived at the colony, that King
George, who, with his people, had previously evacuated the neighbouring
town, and to whom the African youths had deserted, was advancing upon
the settlement with a force, composed of such people, from among all the
neighbouring tribes, as had the daring to set the authority of King
Boatswain at defiance. Happily for the colonists, they had a means of
acquiring intelligence of their enemy's deliberations and intentions, of
which that enemy was little aware; a circumstance which enabled them
effectually to guard against surprise, and of which the Agent took
advantage to press the necessity of coolness and determination upon the
attention of the men.

On the evening of November 10th, the army of King George made its
appearance, at the distance of little more than half a mile to the
westward of the settlement, where it encamped for the night. The number
of warriors comprising this force, was generally estimated at nine
hundred; but, as the chiefs were the only persons who could tell the
exact amount, and each was afterwards interested to diminish the account
of their individual subjects, it is probable that the force was much
greater than it was allowed.

The most wakeful vigilance was kept up by the settlers throughout the
night; but the out-piquet having imprudently ventured, in violation of
their orders, to leave their station at the dawn of day, were
immediately followed by the native force; who, suddenly presenting a
front of ten yards in width, fired a volley, and then rushing forward,
took possession of the post, towards which they had been so incautiously
led, and from which the men were driven without having been able to
discharge their guns. Had the enemy possessed the skill, or the
self-denial to have kept their advantage, the colonists must have been
utterly destroyed; but such was their avidity for plunder, that,
abandoning every thing for the pillage of four houses in the outskirt of
the settlement, they so far impeded and confused the main body of their
army, that the colonists had time to recover from their panic, and, by
keeping up a rapid fire with the brass field-piece, they brought the
whole body of the enemy to a