148 THE PASSENGER PIGEON IN PENNSYLVANIA 



A messenger, sent to Cattauragus, took command 

 of the contingent from there. Another runner, dis- 

 patched at once by Titus, told the commandant at 

 Fort Erie that the Indian boys would be at Big Tree, 

 near Lake Erie, at 5 o'clock, on July 25th, ready for 

 boats, arms, and ammunition. The boats were sent, 

 with food, arms and military jackets for the boys, 

 Sixty Indians went with Captain Titus by boats to 

 Niagara Falls and joined the fight at sunset. Attached 

 to the command of Col. James Miller, as scouts, the In- 

 dian boys crept through brush and weeds to the fence, 

 near the British center, and poking their guns between 

 the rails, in the dusk, waited for their opportunity to 

 rush upon the men who served the seven cannon upon 

 the little eminence within sound of the cataract. 



There was a lively attack by Col. Miller and his 

 regulars ; the cannon were trained on the soldiers ; 

 the Indians waited, forgotten by everyone ; night had 

 closed in and the battle was ending for the night ; an- 

 other discharge of the battery would enable the British 

 to rush the Yankees back to the Chippewa ; the gtms 

 were primed for the last shots needed; the gunners 

 lighted their matches, holding them for the order, 

 "Fire!" It never came. The Indian scouts aimed 

 at the lights ; Captain Titus whispered a hissing order, 

 "Ouisheeh," their fingers pressed the triggers ; the 

 guns lighted up the dark band of brush along the fence : 

 the Canadian gunners fell as the Seneca war-cry rose 

 above the din and roar of battle, and Miller carried the 

 height. 



