In the Current of the Revolution 153 



ried off two months before, still continued their usu- 

 al occupations. But they were very watchful and 

 always kept a sharp lookout, driving the stock inside 

 the yard at night. On the day in question, at dawn, 

 it was noticed that the dogs and cattle betrayed 

 symptoms of uneasiness; for all tame animals 

 dreaded the sight or smell of an Indian as they did 

 that of a wild beast, and by their alarm often warned 

 the settlers and thus saved their lives. 



In this case the warning was unheeded. At day- 

 break the stock were turned loose and four of the 

 men went outside the fort. Two began to clear a 

 patch of turnip-land about, a hundred and fifty yards 

 off, leaving their guns against a tree close at hand. 

 The other two started toward the corn-crib, with a 

 horse and bag. After going a quarter of a mile, 

 the path dipped into a hollow, and here they sud- 

 denly came on the Indians, advancing stealthily to- 

 ward the fort. At the first fire one of the men was 

 killed, and the horse, breaking loose, galloped back 

 to the fort. The other man likewise turned and ran 

 toward home, but was confronted by an Indian who 

 leaped into the path directly ahead of him. The 

 two were so close together that the muzzles of their 

 guns crossed, and both pulled trigger at once; the 

 Indian's gun missed fire and he fell dead in his 

 tracks. Continuing his flight, the survivor reached 

 the fort in safety. 



When the two men in the turnip-patch heard the 

 firing they seized their guns and ran toward the 

 point of attack, but seeing the number of the assail- 



