HISTORY OF VERMONT. 33T 



eommencemcnt of the war several parties of In- 

 dians had appeared at that place ; and at dif- 

 ferent times had killed, and captivated some of 

 the inhabitants, and frequently destroyed their 

 cattle. In the spring of the year 1747, the en- 

 emy made an attempt to take the fort, and de- 

 stroy the settlement. On the fourth of April, 

 M. Debeline caine before it with a large party 

 pf French and Indians, It was defended by 

 captain Stevens, an able and judicious officer. 

 The enemy commenced their attack by firing 

 at the fort, on all sides, with their muskets. 

 These making little or no impression, they next 

 attempted to burn the fort by setting fire to the 

 fences, log houses, and other buildings ; and 

 by discharging against it flaming arrows. Hav- 

 ing tried these methods for two days without 

 success, they next prepared a wheel carriage, 

 loaded with dry faggots, This machine they 

 pushed before them to set fire to the fort, while 

 it served to protect them from the fire of the 

 garrison. These attempts were defeated by 

 the bravery and prudence of Stevens and his 

 men. Debeline then urged Stevens to surren- 

 der the garrison, and be conducted to Montreal 

 as prisoners of war ; threatening to storm the 

 fort and put all to the sword, if this was refus- 

 ed. In answer he was told that the garrison 

 had determined to defend the fort to the last 

 extrernit}'. On the morning of the third day it 

 was proposed, if Stevens would sell them pro- 

 visions they would depart. This also was re- 

 fused ; but Stevens informed them he would 

 give five bushels of corn for any captive, for 

 whom they would give an hostage, till tliey 



