ned stand.

Very soon they were to be put to the test.

The gates of the city were opened and a body of red-coated British
regulars was seen to emerge; after them came two hundred Canadians, and
an equal number of Indians.

The Americans saw they were outnumbered five to one.

"We will resist to the death!" Allen said to one of his officers, and
the men heard the words and got ready to fight like brave heroes.

Although the British outnumbered the Americans five to one, they acted
with the greatest caution, sheltering themselves behind woodpiles,
houses and in ditches.

Allen's men returned the fire with vigor, and for two hours prevented
the enemy from emerging into the open.

The British regulars began to be irritated at the stubborn resistance
of the few Americans, and made a move which Allen knew was to be an
attempt to flank him.

He called Capt. Lossier and bade him take fifty men and advance to the
right and post himself in an advantageous ditch and to maintain his
position there.

Lossier and his men advanced, but as soon as they came in sight of the
redcoats they made a wild rush for the woods and scattered in all
directions.

To make Allen's position worse, a small detachment on the left, under
the command of Lieut. Young, a Canadian volunteer, also broke rank and
fled, giving the enemy a chance to take up several strong positions.

Allen now found himself with only forty-five men, including the brave
young Eben Pike.

They poured in their volleys as fast as they could load and fire.

In order to do more effective work five men were told off to load, and
as the men who had run away had thrown down their muskets, there was a
good chance to keep the guns cool.

But what could forty-five do against five hundred?

Allen saw that unless he retreated while his rear was open, he would be
surrounded and all his men slaughtered, for he knew the command had
gone out to butcher all found with arms in their hands.

With great reluctance he gave the order to retreat. The Indians were
rapidly gaining in the direction of the rear, and only fleet feet would
give the Americans a chance.

Although the Americans could run, they were no match for the Indians,
and Allen found himself surrounded.

He had only twenty-eight men left, and yet he would not surrender.

With fixed bayonets the little band waited the onslaught of the
British, who were only a few yards away on all sides.

An English captain, mad