154 The Winning of the West 



ants they turned back to the fort, trying to drive the 

 frightened stock before them. The Indians coming 

 up close, they had to abandon the attempt, although 

 most of the horses and some of the cattle got safely 

 home. One of the men reached the gate ahead of 

 the Indians ; the other was cut off, and took a round- 

 about route through the woods. He speedily dis- 

 tanced all of his pursuers but one; several times he 

 turned to shoot the latter, but the Indian always took 

 prompt refuge behind a tree, and the white man then 

 renewed his flight. At last he reached a fenced 

 orchard, on the border of the cleared ground round 

 the fort. Throwing himself over the fence he lay 

 still among the weeds on the other side. In a min- 

 ute or two the pursuer, running up, cautiously peered 

 over the fence, and was instantly killed; he proved 

 to be a Shawnee chief, painted, and decked with 

 many silver armlets, rings, and brooches. The fu- 

 gitive then succeeded in making his way into the fort. 



The settlers inside the stockade had sprung to 

 arms the moment the first guns were heard. The 

 men fired on the advancing Indians, while the women 

 and children ran bullets and made ready the rifle- 

 patches. Every one displayed the coolest determi- 

 nation and courage except one man who hid under 

 a bed, until found by his wife; whereupon he was 

 ignominiously dragged out and made to run bullets 

 with the women. 



As the Indians advanced they shot down most of 

 the cattle and hogs and some of the horses that were 

 running frantically round the stockade; and they 



