58 THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. 
parts. As the Iroquois approached Te-osah-wa, two of the best 
chiefs disguised themselves in French military costume to frighten the 
Eries, and lead them to believe that the wonderful pale faces were 
with them. ‘These advancing within hearing distance of the fort 
advise the Eries to surrender. “‘ The MASTER OF LIFE fights 
for us,” said one of the disguised chiefs. ‘‘ Who is this Master of 
Life of whom you speak?” replied Gegosasa. ‘‘ We know of no 
Master save our right arms and our hatchets.” The assault com- 
menced, the palisades were attacked on all sides, the Iroquois using 
every exertion to carry the Fort by storm without success, their war- 
riors being killed as fastastheyapproached At length they resorted 
to stratagem, they converted their canoes into shields, and advanc- 
ing under the protection thus afforded, they succeeded in reaching 
the foot of the entrenchment, using the canoes for ladders, they 
climed the palisades in face of the enemy, who, having exhausted 
their munitions, stood at last within their own fortifications ‘‘ at bay ”’ 
before the foe. Gegosasa, and one thousand of her warriors, disdain- 
ing to fly, and to afford, by a temporary resistance, time for as many 
as possible of her people to escape, now engaged in a terrible hand 
to hand and foot to foot engagement, the canoes gave passage way 
for continual reinforcements of Iroquois. 
Intimidated by the boldness of the invaders, hundreds of the 
Eries fled Gegosasa and her women were secretly led from the 
fort, guarded by the Queen’s body guard. An indiscriminate slaughter 
of men, fleeing women and children now took place. The blood of 
the victims ran as water. The vanquished Queen and a remnant of 
three hundred fugitive Eries collected together and recruited their 
energies, they retraced their steps in hopes of surprising the enemy on 
his way home from the pursuit of their fleeing brethren. The plan 
was well conceived, but failed in execution, Gegosasa and her noble 
“‘three hundred” were surrounded, taken prisoners and led captives 
to Onandaga, the Queen to await trial for her act of betrayal of the 
Sacred Trust, as custodian of the National Pipe of peace. Her 
judges were chosen representatives from the Nations which at one 
time had ceased war at her command, and whose ambassadors had 
at her Council House at Kieuka, on the Niagara ridge, yielded their 
will to the utterances of a ‘“‘ Mother of Nations.” The council fires 
of the Iroquois Confederacy accepted the judgment of the Onon- 
