Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1890-06-12

them from rallying, and then returned
to the guns which they placed on raft,
hastily constructed, and lowed them
| across the stream together with
the ammunition which they loaded into
the canoes, and returned triumphantly to
camp. The little army was SO elated
over the victory that Selwyn had some
difficulty in restraining them from
crossing the river to offer battle to the
stronger force which was perhaps at no
great distance. But he sent over a
party to destroy the earthworks, and
set fire to the brushwood, and the flames,
famed by strong breeze, swept over an
area OF several acres, thus preventing
the return of the enemy till the flre
burned itself out.
The captured guns were placed in po-
sition to command the opposite bank,
and once more the little army rested in
temporary security.
"What next, Captain?" asked Rem
wick, stretching himself lazily on the
grass with his pipe in his mouth. "How
long do you think we can make head
against the Frenchmen?"
"Not very long, I fear" responded
Selwyn. 1--WE have checked them in a
measure, and every day gained in
oreases the chance that suocor may ar
rive"
Renwick was silent.
"You have no hope in that directionq PSI
"No," replied Renwiok, seven If your
uncle succeeded in stirring up the En-
glishmen, their European tactics are too
slow, and while they are planning a
campaign the battle will be fought out.
The question is, shall we die like rats
in hole, or make another dash for VIC
tory?"
You have plan, then9" asked
Selwyn.
"Not plan, but . suggestion. This
position can not be held against a su-
perior force; they would throw up de-
lenses and plant cannon; blockade the
river below and compel US to retreat
through the dense forest in tho rear,
harassed by clouds OF redskins. Now
suggest that we cross the river before
daylight tomorrow, and attack the
enemy as soon as he appears, and he
won't keep us waiting long, you may be
sure: We will thus protect the river by
which we can retreat If necessary, and
tor that purpose we can build RATS to
mid the canoes. Why, Charley, the very
fact that we have changed our position
will cause the enemy to believe that we
are reinforced"
Selwyn was impressed favorahly by
the scheme, and called council of off,
GERS who gave their assent to the plan.
So vigorously was the removal effect
ed that the camp fires were lit before
the sun arose the next morning and the
Mohawks securing the woods to detect
the approach of q foe, while the Ameri-
cans raised a breastwork which was to
cover their embarkation II retreat was
necessary. 1t was past noon when scat
ter1ng shots told that the Mohawks had
found the enemy and were falling back.
The Hurons had been SO roughly hand
led on the previous day that they were
easily held In check by Brant and his
braves, who formed a curtain, as it were,
through which the French found it i'm
possible to obtain glimpse Of their ana
tagonists; and no sooner had the head
OF their column emerged from the forest
on the burned plateau, than they found
volume OF smoke in their path formed
by leaves and other damp material
which had been fred by Selwyn's
orders. Through this vail the Ameri-
cans fred volley and then charged
with the captured bayonets at the front
while the Mohawks attacked their TANKS
with shot and tomahawk.
The surprise WAS complete. The be-
wldered French believed themselves to
be attacked by regular troopa whose
number they could not estimate, while
the ground was heaped with their dead
or wounded, The column began to
reel,
But Selwyn knew that the force in
'front.' OF him was not a mere skirmish
line, but the head of a column which
must soon press him back, and while he
sprang to the front and cheered his men
to the onset, he felt that he was leading
them to the last charge. The Hurons
had retro tied behind the scattered COL
umn where some French officers were
striving to inspire them with courage
and to reform the broken ranks of their
countrymen, when the Americans again
burst through the demoralized crowd,
hurting them to the right and left or
trampltpg them under foot, to find
To be continue.