tions of those who sought security within its
walls. The brief space of time which elapsed between the alarm by
Lynn, and the arrival of the Indians, permitted only those who were
immediately present to retire into it, and when the attack was begun
to be made, there were not within its pallisades, twenty effective men
to oppose the assault. The dwelling house of Col. Ebenezer Zane,
standing about forty yards from the fort, contained the military
stores which had been furnished by the government of Virginia; and as
it was admirably situated as an out post from which to annoy the
savages in their onsets, he resolved on maintaining possession of it,
as well to aid in the defence of the fort, as for the preservation of
the ammunition. Andrew Scott, George Green, Mrs. Zane, Molly Scott and
Miss McCullough, were all who remained with him. The kitchen
(adjoining) was occupied by Sam (a negro belonging to Col, Zane) and
Kate, his wife.--Col. Silas Zane commanded in the fort.

When the savage army approached, the British colors were waving over
them; and before a shot was discharged at the fort, they demanded the
surrender of the garrison. No answer was deigned to this demand, but
the firing of several shot (by order of Silas Zane) at the standard
which they bore; and the savages rushed to the assault. A well
directed and brisk fire opened upon them from Col. Zane's house and
the fort, soon drove them back. Again they rushed forward; and again
were they repulsed. The number of [263] arms in the house and fort,
and the great exertions of the women in moulding bullets, loading guns
and handing them to the men, enabled them to fire so briskly, yet so
effectively, as to cause the savages to recoil from every charge. The
darkness of night soon suspended their attacks, and afforded a
temporary repose to the besieged. Yet were the assailants not wholly
inactive. Having suffered severely by the galling fire poured upon
them from the house, they determined on reducing it to ashes. For this
purpose, when all was quietness and silence, a savage, with a
firebrand in his hand crawled to the kitchen, and raising himself from
the ground, waving the torch to and fro to rekindle its flame, and
about to apply it to the building, received a shot which forced him to
let fall the engine of destruction and hobble howling away. The
vigilance of Sam had detected him, in time to thwart his purpose.

On the return of light, the savages were seen yet env