Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-08-13
THE. Hl|RoNs-A TALE.
BIZ the .4ahor of..S Sir .7ndrew Uytte


strip of land separates its clear waters from
smaller eypanse, generally known by the name :
of Burlington Bay. Along the northerh part vi
the beach, as this strip is called, close undef me
residence of Brant. the Mohawk chieftaiii, a num-
| Der of detached. picturesque trees grow uiuer
the sand, curiously festooned with gIga'ihc vines
interviewer among their branches ana Ia the
Ground beneath. AZ short intervals, are many
square artificial holiows the remains OF io'tiheu
camp of party of Huron Indians. vino resisted
the original invasion of their hunting grounds,
when the French first attempted to establish NIL
itary posts in that remote wilderness.
| At first sight. il seemed strange that the HUI
rons should have advanced so far TO meet the en-
emies of their independence; but cursory IN
spection of the map will show, that IN taxing ms
advanced position, they were guided o. military
eye OF no common perspicacity. Inc country on
their right and left was covered with forest
penetrable only by Indians; rude aScen's and
steep precipices rose in the midst ONT, presenting
a vast rampant of great extent aSainstacceS from
/! the low countEY
It'll evident, from, the choice Of their position,
that the Hur3ps expected the French to arrive in
boats: and to- prevent them from penetrating into
Burlington By, vas, without doubt, the motive
which induced them to prefer it. Whether they
were ever attacked in that position, is no longer
remembered; but an adventure Of party Of them
during the time they were encamped at this place
| is not excelled by any demonstration of resolu-
ton in the records of ancient herolsm.
The French had in the mean time constructed
Fort st. Lonis. at the mouth Of the river Niagara,
at which the Indians became alarmed, aud sent
out strong detachment. who lntrehched them
selves on the rising ground Of the opposite bank,
where Fort GEORGE IL now situated.
In taking this new position. which evidently
demonstrated courage and defiance, the Hurons
did not sufficiently consider the superiority which
the French possessed in their boats. II was easy
at any time for the garrison of Fort -. Louis to
attack the Indian ntrcnchmcnts: but the Hurons
had no engines capable of disturbing the emhat-
tied walls and sheltered quarters Of their enc
mics. The fewrude canoes which they had formed
on The spot were unf, for warike purposes.
What was wanting TO these brave peopIein the
machinery of war, was supplied BY their ingenui-
ty; they employed their canoes in fishing. and the
sentinels on the walls of the fortress were fire.
quently found pierced with arrows. This an
novance from the canoes ntiamed the garrison,
and it was determined to dislodse the Indians.
The night appointed for the enterprise was at
the change of the moon, when no light, save that
of the stars. could shine upon the adventure
The command was given to the Chevalier La
Porte. young officer. Of aspiring bravery, and
beloved by all the garrison. The boats belong
inc to the fortress we're collected. torches were
prepared. and grenades together with many other
instruments of combustion to fire the stakes and
fences of the Indian ratification. The enterprise
was against warriors who we're never known TO
have Welded.
The Hurons had no intelligence of these pre-
paraion; but their natural sagaclty appraised them
that they could rot expect to remain long in their
strong hold unnolested. While their enemies
were concerning the means of their destruction,
they were no les active in augmentiDe their de-
fence. In this crisis the incident took place
which we have now.ro describe.
While the preparations for the expedition were
going forward the wife of La Porte was induced
by the beauty Of the weather TO embark with her
child for sail under the walls OF fort ST. Louis
The wind happened to blow strong from Lake.
Ontario. and she in consequence directed her
pinnace to be rowed in the lee of the high banks
up the river. In the course of this little eXcur-
sion the boat was drawn into one OF the ~hlrl-
pools: and though saved from vortex by the
deXtcrity of the rowers. was thrown over To-
words the Canadian shore. and captured by some
of the Indians. who were fishing near the spot
La IOrtp. OH nearing tlit uiiSiot 'uHe "i io
lady and child. became impatient to rescue them,
and to revenge the insults which he conceived
his wife must have suffered. Accordingly, IT
was determined that the attack on the Indian
camp should be ma.ie ron that night; and soon at
Ter dark the troops were embarked. 1t was
gloomy nisht--the skv was oyercast-the wind
was gustv-the waters OF the lake we're muddy
and troubedr-and the heavens and the earth
were ominously darkened, as i! fate frowned on
the expedition. But nevertheless the gallant
Frenchmen reached the Canadian shore. and APP
preached in silence towards the palisades OF the
Indian encampment.
The Hurons in tho JOY of having taken pri-
soner the wife Of their most intrepid adversary,
had spent the forepart Of the evening IN reVelry
and badness; but, tired Of their Tasting when
the French approached, were ina profound sleep,
and. dreadless of danger, were without their
usual watch. But there was faithful deg among
them; and the soft footing of the enemys adj
vances could not be concealed from his visiIant
ears. AS they drew near he began TO bark
first at intervals, but his alarm gradually