arriors he can muster?"

John Brant, or _Thayendanegea_, as he was known among the Six Nation
Indians, was the hereditary chief. At this time he was but a youth of
eighteen--a graceful, dauntless stripling, of surprising activity, and
well educated. At his side sat Captain Jacobs, a swarthy, stalwart
brave, famous for his immense strength, and Captain John Norton, an
Englishman, and chief by adoption only, who, in consideration of Brant's
youth, was acting as his deputy and spokesman. The latter said that
since his return from Moraviantown, and the hunting season having
commenced, many of his braves were absent, but he would pledge the
Mohawks would muster, when wanted, over one hundred tried men. Thanking
the chiefs for their assurances, Brock continued:

"The enemy has an army of over 6,000. The four twelve-pounders and two
hundred muskets captured with the _Detroit_ is a serious loss to us. If
the _Detroit_ is lost to us, however, she is of no further use to the
enemy. We are, I repeat, greatly outweighted and outnumbered by the
enemy, both in siege guns and artillery, and have no forge for heating
shot. I have, as a matter of form, written this day to Sir George
Prevost, restating my anxiety to increase our militia to 2,000 men, but
pointing out the difficulties I shall encounter, and the fear that I
shall not be able to effect my object with willing, well-disposed
characters. Of one thing, gentlemen, I am convinced, that were it not
for the number of Americans in our ranks we might defy all the efforts
of the enemy against this part of the Province.

"As to 'forbearance,' which I am constantly urged by Sir George Prevost
to adopt, you are entitled to my views. While forbearance may be
productive of some good, I gravely doubt the wisdom of such a policy;
but, let me add, I may not, perhaps, have the means of judging
correctly. We cannot, however, disguise the fact we are standing
alongside a loaded mine. Let us be prepared for the explosion. It may
come at any moment. Vigilance, readiness and promptness must be our
watchwords. Might I ask you to remember my family motto, 'He who guards
never sleeps.' Even to-morrow may bring surprises--such stormy weather
as we are having seems strangely suitable for covering an attack.

"I think, gentlemen, if we weigh well the character of our enemy, we
shall find him disposed to brave the impediments of nature--when they
afford him a probability of gaining his end by _surprise