The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1890-10-22
give orders for your admittanOs." 8

trated on Oswego, soon showed disas-
trous results, Mercer, resolute in the
midst Of impending ruin, visited the
batteries and spoke words Of enoourag-
ment to the men, who in their turn
worked at the guns as cheerfully as II
they hoped to repulse the enemy.
At noon, Mercer, after consultation
with his officers, resolved to make an
attack on the enemy In the woods, and
u possible drive them back and spike
their guns. 1t was q forlorn hope, and
Colonel Lyman, who was to command 1t,
asked for volunteers, when the entire
garrison responded. He selected two
hundred men from New York and New
England besides Brant and his Mo-
hawks.
As every thing depended on the sud-
denness and force Of the blow, Mercer
concentrated his fire on the point Of
attack, and under its cover the little
column advanced in silence at the double
quick step.
They were enabled to approach very
near the battery, the guns OF which
were elevated at ON angle above their
heads to strike the parapets of the fort,
which suddenly ceased firing, and with
cheer the devoted band rushed upon
the foe, leaped slight breastwork
which the confident Frenchmen scarce
ly deemed necessary for defense. and
drove back or killed the gunners and
spiked the cannon.
The battery silenced, Lyman made q
dash at another in the rear and sue
oeeded in disabling one gun, when the
enemy recovered from their surprise
and began to press him hard. A band
OF Hurons pressed In between him and
the Mohawl1s, and a force OF regulars
threatened his left flank, while a force
Of Canadians and Indians threw them
selves between him and the path of re-
treat. Nothing daunted, the brave
veteran formed his command in hollow
square, the New Englanders with their
bayonets on the outside, while the New
Workers, on the inner line, poured in a
deadly fire. In this order they broke
through the Gordon Of foes, and slowly
retreated, aided by the fire from the fort,
which the watchful Mercer renewed as
soon as he perceived the retroprade
movement. That little square was fast
diminishing under the incessant Hre,
and still they struggled on, until, with
In rife range Of the fort, their as
sailants deemed IL prudent 10 retire,
and the battered remnant crept within
the walls.
The Mohawks did not return. Sep
arated from their allies, they were capt
ured or had escaped in the labyrinths Of
the forest. The enemy's fire ceased at
sun-down. The feet had suffered
severely and retired out OF range for re-
pairs, while Montcalm decided TO wait
till morning before making the final as
sault. Outside the fort the night was
dark and the rain was falling. Inside,
in the room occupied by the women and
Selwyn found Jabe with his
arm In splints and his spirits below
zero.
mot on my own account, CAPTAIN"
he said: ats the women and children
that I'm thinking about, and what will
become of them II the French and red
skins take the fort"
There is q chance OF escape for them,
Jabe, and I think could arrange IL II |
you don't think 1t too dangerous. The
zone would be enough" cried Jabe,
oyfully catching at the idea. "It will |
lold all the wounded that will bear
moving, and there's only three women
md two children"
"The enemy's gunboats are in line
u battle" replied Selwyn, "but the
light is dark and the breeze is of shore.
I you could slip through the feet, you
night escape; but who would work the
essel?"
There's New England fisherman
9TH shot wound in his leg-he could
AXE charge Of the boat, and with few
rovisions and a couple of guns, we
ould make landing on some island
ntil another chance offers"
After some further discussion, Selwyn
hid the matter before Mercer, who gave
is consent, and Renwick took charge
the details.
At midnight one Of the prizes dropped
own the river and received its freight
the women and children and four Of
he sick or wounded men, including
abe, with rifles and provisions.
Renwick decided to steer them
trough the feet and for this purpose
'ok a canoe In tow TO enable him TO re-
irn. Knowing the position OF the gun
oats, he steered for a point which he
elieved offered free passage. The
arkness which aided the escape also
Nposed them TO the danger OF collision
nd he raised just sufficient sail to watt
10 vessel through the perilous passage
nd insure the slightest possible shook
! case she struck hostile bark. As
0 approached tho line, he heard tho
amp Of the sentinels; but not light
as to be seen. Then came o slight
lock followed by q scraping sound, as
10 boat grazed the side OF an invisible
Dject.
"Qui vivew shouted a sentinel. Lights
ere coming up from the lower deck.
here was oommotion and trampling
feet. But the fugitives held on their
ay. Renwick listened for indications
pursuit, but there were none. he
len gave the helm to the New England
sherman, whispered word Of farewell
Jabe and lowered himself in the
moe, which no cut loose, and turned
8 PROV toward the fort.
Morning revealed the fact that the
eseigers were drawing nearer, and their
70 moro destructive, while many Of
10 guns in the fort had become un-