the assault was begun to be made, the
attention of the garrison was directed to a summons for its surrender,
made by that infamous renegado, Simon Girty.[10]

This worse than savage wretch, appeared at the end window of a house
not far from the fort, and told them, that he had come with a large
army to escort to Detroit, such of the Inhabitants along the frontier,
as were willing to accept the terms offered by Governor Hamilton, to
those who would renounce the cause of the colonies and attach
themselves to the interest of Great Britain; calling upon them to
remember their fealty to their sovereign; assuring them of protection,
if they would join his standard, and denouncing upon them, all the
woes which spring from the uncurbed indulgence of savage vengeance, if
they dared to resist, or fire one gun to the annoyance of his men. He
then read to them, Gov. Hamilton's proclamation; and told them, he
could allow only fifteen minutes to consider of his proposition. It
was enough. In love with liberty, attached to their country, and
without faith in his proffered protection, they required but little
time to "deliberate, which of the two to choose, slavery or death."
Col. Zane replied to him, "that they had consulted their wives and
children, and that all were resolved to perish, sooner than place
themselves under the protection of a savage army with him at its head,
or abjure the cause of liberty and of the colonies." Girty then
represented to them the great force of the Indians,--the impossibility
that the fort could withstand the assault,--the certainty of
protection if they acceded to his propositions, and the difficulty of
restraining the assailants, if enraged and roused to vengeance by
opposition and resistance. A shot discharged at him from the fort,
caused him to withdraw from the window and the Indians commenced the
assault.

There were then in the fort but thirty-three men, to defend it against
the attack of upwards of three hundred and eighty Indians; and bravely
did they maintain their situation against the superior force of the
enemy, and all that art and fury could effect to accomplish their
destruction. For twenty-three hours, all was life, and energy, and
activity within the walls. Every individual had particular duties to
perform; and promptly and faithfully were they discharged. The more
expert of the women, took stations by the side of the men; and
handling their guns with soldier like readiness, aided i