280 FATE OF THE FOREST GARRISONS. [1763, June. 



closes as follows : "I have sent to Niagara a let- 

 ter to the Major, desh*ing some more ammunition 

 and provisions, and have kept six men of Lieu- 

 tenant Cuyler's, as I expect a visit from the hell- 

 hounds. I have ordered everybody here to move 

 into the blockhouse, and shall be ready for them, 

 come when they will." 



Fort Presqu' Isle stood on the southern shore 

 of Lake Erie, at the site of the present town of 

 Erie. It was an important post to be commanded 

 by an Ensign, for it controlled the communication 

 between the lake and Fort Pitt; but the block- 

 house, to which Christie alludes, Avas supposed to 

 make it impregnable against Indians. This block- 

 house, a very large and strong one, stood at an 

 angle of the fort, and was built of massive logs, 

 with the projecting upper story usual in such struct- 

 ures, by means of which a vertical fire could be 

 had upon the heads of assailants, through openings 

 in the projecting part of the floor, like the maehi- 

 coulis of a mediaeval castle. It had also a kind of 

 bastion, from which one or more of its walls could 

 be covered by a flank fire. The roof was of shin- 

 gles, and might easily be set on fire ; but at the 

 top was a sentry-box or look-out, from which water 

 could be thrown. On one side was the lake, and 

 on the other a small stream which entered it. 

 Unfortunately, the bank of this stream rose in a 

 high steep ridge within forty yards of the block- 

 house, thus afl"ording a cover to assailants, while 

 the bank of the lake offered them similar advan- 

 tages on another side. 



