A half-century of conflict. France and England in North America. Part ...

1747.] DEFENCE OF NUMBER FOUR. 227whether waged by Indians alone,or by French andIndians together. The assailants only raised thewar-whoop again, and fired, as before, from behindstumps, logs, and bushes. This amusement theykept up from two o'clock tillnight, when they grewbolder, approached nearer, and shot flights of firearrowsinto the fort, which, water being abundant,were harmless as their bullets. At daylightthey gave over this exercise, called out, "Goodmorning!"to the garrison, and asked for a suspensionof arms for two hours.This being agreedto, another flag of truce presently appeared, carriedby two Indians, who planted it in the ground withina stone's throw of the fort, and asked that twomen should be sent out to confer with them. Thiswas done, and the men soon came back with aproposal that Stevens should sell provisions to hisbesiegers, under a promise on their part that theywould give him no farther trouble. He answeredthat he would not sell them provisions for money,but would exchange them for prisoners, and give fivebushels of Indian corn for every hostage placed in hishands as security for the release of an English captivein Canada. To this their only answer was firinga few shots against the fort, after which theyall disappeared, and were seen no more. The garrisonhad scarcely eaten or slept for three days." I believe men were never known to hold out withbetter resolution," writes Stevens; and "thoughthere were some thousands of guns shot at us, we