1763, Aug.] UNEXPECTED ATTACK. 61 



On the morning of the fifth, the tents were struck 

 at an early hour, and the troops began their march 

 through a country broken with hills and deep hol- 

 lows, covered with the tall, dense forest, which 

 spread for countless leagues around. By one 

 o'clock, they had advanced seventeen miles ; and 

 the guides assured them that they were within half 

 a mile of Bushy Eun, their proposed resting-place. 

 The tired soldiers were pressing forward with 

 renewed alacrity, when suddenly the report of 

 rifles from the front sent a thrill along the ranks ; 

 and, as they listened, the firing thickened into a 

 fierce, sharp rattle ; while shouts and whoops, dead- 

 ened by the intervening forest, showed that the 

 advance guard was hotly engaged. The two fore- 

 most companies were at once ordered forward to 

 support it ; but, far from abating, the fh'e grew so 

 rapid and furious as to argue the presence of an 

 enemy at once numerous and resolute. At this, 

 the convoy was halted, the troops formed into line, 

 and a general charge ordered. Bearing down 

 through the forest with fixed bayonets, they drove 

 the yelping assailants before them, and swept the 

 ground clear. But at the very moment of suc- 

 cess, a fresh burst of whoops and firing was heard 

 from either flank ; while a confused noise from the 

 rear showed that the convoy was attacked. It was 

 necessary instantly to fall back for its support. 

 Driving off the assailants, the troops formed in a 

 circle around the crowded and terrified horses. 

 Though they were new to the work, and though 

 the numbers and movements of the enemy, whose 



