The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1848-01-22

He had no immediate relatives in the vicinity
TO awaken his solicitudc, and was able 10 acl
the more efficiently for tho whole. With
many lnjunctions 10 regard his personal safe
~, and one from voice which he londIy
iancied TO he lSllen's he departed OIL his mis-
sion. He found the neighhorhood every
where alarmed. Some were sccretng their
effects, preparatory to flight; Some were bar
Reading their premises, dele rmned 10 die, If
necessary, on their own "reminiscences; and
others, IN small hands, were fleeing To the
forests, bearing their children in their arms,
aud unfolding the tottering steps Of the sick
ana the aged. The scene was one to draw
tears from the stoutest heart, but the necess-
ty for speedy notion left little room for con-
temptation. Dudley hada word Of encour-
agement and hope for al,and, although num-
bers gladly accepted his proposal and hasten
ed to accompany him, the majority preferred
TO trust to the hiding places oflhe wilderness.
He was more successful however, in gaining
refugees than recruits. Women and children
would add but little to the effective force of
the garrison, and he was, therefore, not a lit
tie delighted nj the accession 10 his numbers
of four or five members oflhe half organized
band, bearing the imposing title of the Life
Guard. These were all young men, we'll
arned,and by the presence and peril of those
most near and dear to him, furnished with
CHAPTER iii.
The little company were soon assembled,
and set out together for their temporary for
tress. The strictest silence was enjoincd, it
being impossible to tell how near the enemy
might be, or where his advanced scout would
be met This precaution did not prove Sill
perfluous, for they were yet third ola mile
distant from Lees when they received con-
vincing proof of their danger. The silence
was suddenly broken by n tremendous war
whoop; shouts g. shouts echoed through The
air, and soon the kindling light ola deserted
farm house revealed the eXulting foe, fitting
like fiends around the tenement from which
they expected soon 20 see their victims ISSUE
Appalled, at this dreadful spectacle, the lit
tie party paused and remained for while
GREATNESS spectators of the scene. The rel
alive position of the fugitives, the foe, and
the fort, flor as such we must designate the
dwelling of Lee,) were about as tho eXtremi-
ties ofan equal sided triangle TO each other.
The litter could not be gained without emer-
ging from the woods and crossing consider
BILE space of cleared land, which was an ul-
dertaking too hazardous to be contemplated.
Resuming their route, therefore, with the
greatest precaution, they obtained the near
est position TO Lees that the cover ofthe for
est would permit, hoping thence to pass I'M
perceived across the intervening space,
which had now become diminished TO about
thirty rods. But at this moment the enemy,
after an impotent howl of rage at finding the
burning house unoccupied, took up their
march. With frantic gesteulations, some
bearing lighted tirebrands, and others brand
ishng their knives, they bent their course, rs
had been apprehended, directly toward the
fort. But perceiving some signs of defence,
they made II deiom around the premises in n
course which threatened TO bring them al
most directlyto the concealed party.
To remain in the most perfect silence, was
deemed safer than any attempt at retreat be-
fore the quick eye and ear ofthe savages-l
The available portion ofDudIey's forces, CON
sisting of seven armed men, obeying the
whispered orders of their leader, stood with
presented arms, ready in case of discovery 20
discharge u sudden volley upon the enemy,
and then, by virtue of the panic which such
an assault would create, either to cut their
way through the foe to the fort, or make u
rapid retreat, as circumstances would dictate.
Dudley, by general consent, had been invest
cd with entire command. As the savages
drew nearer, they were perceived to be about
sixty in Notwithstanding perhaps, ten or
twelve whites, who, having adopted the dress
and habits of their confcderates, may justly
be considered as entitled also to their appel
lnton. With gIistening knives, with glariug
brands, with exultng shouts, they came near
err and nearer until their advance was scarce
lyu dozen yards distant from the hidden en-
campment. Here they suddenly paused and
seemed to hold consultation. Ii was mo-
ment OF fearful suspense. Trembling chill
lreD covered close TO their terrified parents,
and with large blue eyes appraised, faithfully
obeyed the often repeated signs OF silence
The pause was but momentary but mt the
instant of renewing their march, one of the
concealed company unfortunately gave utter
ance to u slight ejaculation of delight, which,
catching the quick ear of the Indian leader
produced n second halt Pointing TO the
woods, and assuming listening attitude for
a moment, he thus communicated to his fol-
lowers the nature ofhis suspicious. A scout
was immediately detached to examine the
suspected cover but watchfu eyes and ac-
tive hands awaited his approach. He direct
ed his course ut once to the encampment, but
with such rapid and incautious steps that be-
fore perceiving the ambush, he was at the
side of Dudley, who had advanced a step to
meet him. The expressive sHuhn rose
family to his lips as tho firm grasp of the
youth encircled his throat, while the silent
knife completed the task and the dying Indi-
an was upheld, lest his fall should be heard.
The sayages, after the delay of a minute or
two, hearing no alarm, slowly resumed their
course, not doubling that their emissary would
soon overtake them. They pursued their
circpitous way about the house of Lee, evil
IDENTITY calculating their safest plan of attack.
Nothing can be more cowardly than this mode
of Indian warfare, in which the assailants
scarcely consider themselves victorious UNI
less they succeed without losing single war
rior. As they approached the opposite side
of the circle, the time had evidently arrived
when, if at all, the fugtives were to emerge
from their conceament and make a rush for
the fort. To remain longer in the forest,