The Republican journal., 1869-03-11

Witness describes as sounding as though
call the devils in hell were loose"
kllburn was resolved to wait no longer.
War had been declared, and he claimed the
first fire. He singled out the treacherous
Philip, and made sure his aim. The viii
lain fell. Three other shots told fatally
from the block house. But the fire was re-
turned, aud volley of lead was poured
into the walls and roof of the house which
made it tremble. The roof was not bnllet
proof, and, as kilburn afterwards expressed
1t, it soon became perfect riddle seive.
But the bullets entered above the heads of
the defenders, and having spent their force
in coming through the boarding they drop
ped upon the floor in the upper loft Of the
house. For hours the fight continued, with
no decisive results on either side. The
four men III the house were excellent marks
men. They watched their opportunities,
and whenever the hea1 of Il savage appear
ed in sight they took a deadly aim. 1t is
a well known trait IN the Indian character
not to continue an attack for long time.
They seldom face determined opposition
but i'll this instance they were so we'll aware
" tiAS SuFSi lOi ny VI tleil lOlCC, lLdt lllS y
manifested considerable determination, and
made several advances towards toe house,
as II to force al entrance; vet they lacked
the cool courage TO do so, aud when shots
from the little garrison told teartully upon
them they again retreated to their ambush.
But new difficulty presented itself. The
lead was becoming exhausted in the house,
and tl,a Jaf
sequently cease unless some plan could be
devised to provide for the emergency. Lead
was being thrown through the roof in guam
titles, but it dropped down amidst the rub
bish in the attic, and was lost, so tar as be-
ing available to the garrison.
The ingenuity Of Mrs. klburn suggested
a plan to save this lead, and to use it upon
their enemies. At considerable personal
risk, she spread some blankets III such
a manner as to catch the bullets when they
fell, and conduct them to a place fIom
whence they could be got at. With these
a ladle was soon filled, and the women COM
menced casting bullets, which, before they
were cool, We're returned with more effect
upon their enemies than they had produced
ally q bullet came in through one of tie
loop holes but for long time no damage
was done III this way, aud the defenders Of
the house gathered courage by their sue
cess.
Il tell you, Kilburn,' SAID Peak, exult-
lngly, 1--WE arc not wasting much lead. Our
shots tell, and | believe we shall drive the
IrOuit SD,pp ,art1it, awoy "
Il have no fears while daylight lasts,
answered kilburn, 'but | expect they viii
fail back after dark, aud Try to fire the
house
They will lind rs awake" said Peak
and as lie spoke ball entering, as The 9th
ers had done. at loop Io!o, @trueh tile
brave man il the hip and he fei! to the floor
kilburn aud his son rushed to his side, but
he was instantly on his feet again.
''<Ara you badly hurt:' asked his anxious
friends.
''Not much" he answered, but the blood
gushing from the wound crimsoned the floor
He would not, however, consent thai
there should be any delay Gu his account
and though faint, and full Of pain, he re-
manned at his post ana helped defend the
house.
The firing at length ceased, and the en-
emy no longer peeped out from behind the
stumps and logs to invite the bullets Of the
little garrison. They had evidently retir
ed from the ground. Peak, completely ex-
hausted, was helped to his bed, and the
little party who had been vigorous IN theil
own defence paused TO reflect upon theii
situation. Their only fear WAS that the at
tack would be renewed after night-tail
They therefore deemed it expetlient to CON
tinue in q state OF readiness. The scatter
ing lead was gathered up. and a large quan
tltv Of balls were cast with every other pos
sible arrangement which was considered
necessary for their safety.
Night came on at last-aud it was dole
full night for that household. Yet emotions
OF the deepest gratitude swelled every
breast for the success which had thus fal
crowned their efforts. 4 few hours before
they fought with kind Of desperation,
scarcely allowing themselves to anticipate
q favorable Issue but now hope had sprung
up III their minds, and although they watch
ed anNlously through the dark hours Of
this long to be remembered u gli the pros
pect of escaping the fury OF ths savase-
made them strong,
The wound which Mr.. Peak had receiy-
ed threatened to prove more serious than
it was at first supposed to be. He suffered
great pain, yet he received the kindest at
tentiou from his mpathizing friends. Care
was, however, without avail, aud he died
from the effects of his iu Jury in a few days.
The Indians came not again TO renew the
attack, but they retreated to Canada, leav'
ing behind them many who had fallen IL
this encounter. According to their custom
they carefully concealed the bodies Of the
slain but their graves have since, in very
many instances, been discovered. While
the Cheshire Railroad was being graded
through that section several indian graves
were discovered, and several had previous
ly been found on the site of the Island
House. These are supposed 10 have beer
the graves of some Of those who fell in the
fight.
While this unequal contest was going or
at the house of John Kilburn, Colonel Ben
jamine Bellows, with thirty men, well arm
ed and prepared for war, was at his fort
only a half mile south of the place. Why
he did not 60 to the assistance of the be