THREE DAYS AT BVFFALO. 195 



the Red SUins.'^ He evidently did have the coveted 

 cliaiice, and so did the enemy, for when the snow 

 melted in the spring the brave fellow was found with 

 his empty musket at his side, and a bullet through 

 his brain. The work of vengeance had been completed 

 with the scalping-knife. At the corner of Main and 

 Niagara streets an old twelve-pounder stood. As the 

 imposing column of British infantry were advanc- 

 ing upon the town, a patriotic citizen had the gun 

 mounted and two shots fired into the ranks. He 

 afterwards met the enemy with a flair of truce — a 

 handkerchief tied to his cane — and requested a halt. 



This was granted, and a parley begun, while the 

 townspeople were escaping. 



The firing of the houses and the plundering of 

 them by the Indians followed. Buffalo rose, however, 

 from her ashes full of new life and ambition, and 

 much improved in appearance. Her firesides were 

 again the scene of happy security, and iier women, 

 lately fugitives, fleeing in terror from fire and sword, 

 were again the social inspirations of a thriving com- 

 munity. More than this, they were contril)utIng to 

 the enterprises of the city, for in 1821 between three 

 and four thousand yards of cloth were woven in the 

 homes of Buffalo! 



The Erie Canal being completed in 1822, and com- 

 merce beginning in earnest, no doubt took away from 

 the importance of the spinning-wheel and loom, for 

 these busy little machines of the past have been stored 

 away in the garrets long enough to make them well- 

 seasoned relics. Housewifely attention at this time 

 had to be turned to the management of larger estab- 

 lishments, for Buffalo had far outgrown her infancy, 



