t had sent an overwhelming force,
which would have rendered resistance impossible. But even had ten times
as many troops as are at present in Florida been employed, they could
have proceeded but slowly in a country covered in all directions with
impenetrable thickets and swamps; and unless good roads are cut, the war
will not be brought to a close for many a year to come. Meantime, both
white men and natives will suffer cruelly. The great object should be
to show the Indians that the whites must conquer at last, and that is
what I have endeavoured to do; but the Redskins declare that the country
is their own, that they have right on their side, and that the Palefaces
will be the first to get tired."

While we were speaking, one of the men on guard shouted, "Here they
come!"

On springing on to the platform, we could see a large body of men, some
on foot, others on horseback; besides which, we could make out many more
emerging from a wood to the north-west. They halted, apparently
surprised at our numbers, as they saw the heads of our men appearing
above the stockade; for, with the exception of the sentries, all had
hurried over to the side towards which they were approaching. The enemy
were deceived in another way, by supposing that we should only fire down
upon them over the stockade, whereas the lower portion under the
platform was well loopholed. After holding a short consultation, during
which not a sound reached our ears, they again advanced, led on by their
chiefs, uttering the most fearful yells and shrieks. I had often heard
of the Indian war-whoop, but I little knew, until now, the extraordinary
power of which the human voice is capable when excited by rage and the
desire to inspire terror into the hearts of enemies. I confess that I
should have been not a little alarmed had I not known what effect our
bullets would soon produce on the advancing foe.

"Shout as ye like, ye yelpin' savages," cried Tim, who was standing near
me; "it won't make one of us wink an eye, an' we'll soon send ye to the
rightabout when you get within range of our rifles."

A few of the chiefs now dashed forward, flourishing their spears, but
quickly retreated behind the warriors on foot, who advanced rapidly
towards the fort. Captain Norton, as they approached, ordered us all to
jump down from the platform and take our posts at the loopholes, whence
we could pour a deadly fire on the ranks of the Indians, while we
ourselves