258 NATURAL AND CIVIL 



trackless wilderness, guided by a few marked 

 trees amidst the logs, rocks, and hills, with 

 which the country abounded ; and continued 

 the pursuit with ardor till they arrived at the 

 place where the last houses had been burnt. 

 Apprehensive that they were neat the enemy, 

 they now proceeded with more caution. The 

 Indians had placed their sentries nearly half a 

 mile in their rear. At the place where they 

 had crossed the last stream, there was a large 

 log which served as a bridge for foot passengers ; 

 and a few rods from the river there was a small 

 rise of the land, and a number of large trees by 

 the side of the path. The Indian sentries were 

 posted behind these trees. Some of House^s 

 army were on horseback, and some on foot. 

 The front guard had passed the log, 'and the 

 enemy's sentries ; and about one third part of 

 the main body, had got across the stream. 

 When the van had arrived within a few }-ards 

 of the Indian sentries they were fired upon, and 

 one man was wounded : Some of the Ameri- 

 cans returned the fire, killed one of the Indians, 

 snd wounded one or two more. The guards 

 vhen ran off to the Indian camp, and House's 

 army proceeded on a little further and formed 

 themselves, waiting for the da}^ light, within 

 three hundred yards of the Indian camp. Great 

 ronsteriiation now prevailed among the savages. 

 "Much fatigued, and in a profound slumber after 

 one of tiieir ravenous suppers, the alarm filled 

 them with fear and confusion. They soon how- 

 ever concerted means for their own safety ; nor 

 were they deficient in the arts of policy. They 

 sent out oiie of their prisoners, an agad man, t» 



