University of Virginia Library

3. CHAPTER III.

The little company were soon assembled, and set out
together for their temporary fortress. The strictest
silence was enjoined, it being impossible to tell how
near the enemy might be, or where his advanced scouts
would be met. The precaution did not prove superfluous,
for they were yet a third of a mile distant from
Lee's, when they received convincing proof of their
langer. The silence was suddenly broken by a trenendous
war-whoop; shouts and shots echoed through
he air, and soon the kindling light of a deserted farmhouse,

revealed the exulting foe, flitting like fiends
around the tenement from which they expected soon
to see their victims issue.

Appalled at this dreadful spectacle, the little party
paused and remained for a while breathless spectators
of the scene. The relative positions of the fugitives,
the foe, and the fort, (for such we must designate the
residence of Lee,) were about as the extremities of an
equal-sided triangle to each other. The latter could
not be gained without emerging from the woods, and
crossing a considerable space of cleared land, which
was an undertaking too hazardous to be contemplated.
Resuming their route, therefore, with the greatest precaution,
they obtained the nearest position to Lee's that
the cover of the forest would permit, hoping thence to
pass unperceived across the intervening space, which
had now become diminished to about thirty rods. But
at this moment, the enemy, after an impotent howl of
rage at finding the burning house unoccupied, took up
their march. With frantic gesticulations, some bearing
lighted fire-brands, and others brandishing their
knives, they bent their course, as had been apprehended,
directly toward the fort. But, perceiving some
signs of defense, they made a detour around the premises,
in a course which threatened to bring them almost
directly to the concealed party.

To remain in the most perfect silence was deemed
safer than any attempt to retreat before the quick eye
and ear of the savages. The available portion of Dudley's
force, consisting of seven armed men, obeying the
whispered orders of their leader, stood with presented
arms, ready, in case of discovery, to discharge a sudden
volley upon the enemy, and then, by virtue of the
panic which such an assault would create, either to cut

their way through the foe to the fort, or make a rapid
retreat, as circumstances would dictate. Dudley, by
general consent, had been invested with the entire
command. As the savages drew nearer, they were perceived
to be about sixty in number—including perhaps
ten or twelve whites, who, having adopted the dress
and habits of their confederates, may justly be considered
as entitled also to their appellation. With glistening
knives, with glaring brands, with exulting shouts,
they came nearer and nearer, until their advance was
scarcely a dozen yards distant from the hidden encampment.
Here, they suddenly paused and seemed to hold
a consultation. It was a moment of fearful suspense.
Trembling children cowered closer to their terrified
parents, and with large blue eyes upraised, faithfully
obeyed the often repeated signs of silence. The pause
was but momentary; but at the instant of renewing
their march, one of the concealed company unfortunately
gave utterance to a slight ejaculation of delight,
which, catching the quick ear of the Indian leader, produced
a second halt. Pointing to the woods, and assuming
a listening attitude for a moment, he thus communicated
to his followers the nature of his suspicions.
A scout was immediately detached to examine the suspected
cover; but waatchful eyes and active hands
awaited his approach. He directed his course at once
to the encampment, but with such rapid and incautious
steps, that, before perceiving the ambush, he was at
the side of Dudley, who had advanced a step to meet
him.

The expressive “huh!” rose faintly to his lips as the
firm grasp of the youth encircled his throat, while the
silent knife completed the task, and the dying Indian
was upheld, lest his fall should be heard. The savages,

after the delay of a minute or two, hearing no alarm,
slowly resumed their course, not doubting that their
emissary would soon overtake them.

They pursued their circuitous way about the house
of Lee, evidently calculating their safest plan of attack.
Nothing can be more cowardly than this mode of Indian
warfare, in which the assailants scarcely consider
themselves as victorious, unless they succeed without
losing a single warrior. As they approached the opposite
side of the circle, the time had evidently arrived
when, if at all, the fugitives were to emerge from their
concealment, and make a rush for the fort. To remain
longer in the forest, which the Indian scouts would soon
be traversing in every direction, would be imminently
perilous, and with many a word of encouragement,
Dudley put his little company in motion.

Rapidly advancing, they had safely crossed nearly
half the intervening space, when a sudden commotion
in the ranks of the foe, showed that they were perceived.
A shout and a rush, with such speed as Indians
only can accomplish, followed the discovery.
The fugitives, it will be remembered, were now about
fifteen rods from the house, and the savages twice that
distance, in nearly the opposite direction. The race
was exciting, but not long doubtful. The enemy were
still obliged to avoid too close a proximity to the house,
and Dudley, halting with his little band of infantry,
held them in check until the women and children were
out of danger, and then, still facing the foe, with presented
arms, they retreated into the fort. No shot was
fired.