tunate,
though unexpected.

On the night preceding the commencement of the attack on the fort, the
Indians had approached near to it unperceived, and secreted themselves
in a cane brake, which had been suffered to remain around the cabins.

Early in the morning the women, went out to milk, guarded by most of
the garrison; and before they were aware of impending danger, the
concealed Indians opened a general fire, which killed three of the
men, and drove the others, hastily within the fort.[13] A most
affecting spectacle was then presented to view, well calculated to
excite the sympathies of human nature, and arouse to action a man
possessed of the generous sensibility and noble daring, which animated
the bosom of Logan.

One of the men who had fallen on the first fire of the Indians and
had been supposed by his comrades to be dead, was in truth though
[147] badly wounded, yet still alive; and was observed feebly
struggling to crawl towards the fort. The fear of laceration and
mangling from the horrid scalping knife, and of tortures from more
barbarous instruments, seemed to abate his exertions in dragging
his wounded body along, lest he should be discovered and borne off by
some infuriated and unfeeling savage. It was doubtful too, whether
his strength would endure long enough to enable him to reach the
gate, even if unmolested by any apprehension of danger. The
magnanimous and intrepid Logan resolved on making an effort to
save him. He endeavored to raise volunteers, to accompany him without
the fort, and bring in their poor wounded companion. It seemed as if
courting the quick embrace of death, and even his adventurous
associates for an instant, shrunk from the danger. At length a man
by the name of Martin, who plumed himself on rash and daring deeds,
consented to aid in the enterprise; and the two proceeded towards
the gate. Here the spirit of Martin forsook him, and he recoiled from
the hazardous adventure. Logan was then alone. He beheld the feeble,
but wary exertions of his unfortunate comrade, entirely subside;
and he could not hesitate. He rushed quickly through the gate, caught
the unhappy victim in his arms, and bore him triumphantly into the
fort, amid a shower of bullets aimed at him; and some of which buried
themselves in the pallisades close by his head. A most noble and
disinterested achievement, and worthy of all commendation.[14]

[148] The siege being maintained by the Indians, the animation of th