Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1891-01-22
canopy Of smoke and completed the roas

canopy of smoke and completed the roSs
OF the terror-stricken foe.
When the smoke cleared away, Scswyn
was surprised to see Renwick and lario.
at his side. I'VE came IN behiH5 tie
Indians" Renwick said, ''and dropped
on the ground when the firing began
The redskins passed over us in their
hasty retreat, not having time to inyes-
tigate or to take our scalps along vStl>
them, and here we are, tired a,ss 2r.1-
cry"
The sun came up and showes. The &c
suit of the conflict. Tho banks = tina
creek were thickly strewn with the bod
les of the slain, while the rocky span
between it and the woods WIS Dotted
with the forms of men arrested in their
fight by the tomahawk or knife Of the
pursuing Mohawks.
'sIt is not often that the redskins fa3{
into such trap" said Rcnwicls, land
congratulate you on your success; but
this is not the end of the campaign,
my friend, and we will soon have
more determined foe to deal with. Ariel
and I found their camp, and think
there must be at least two hundred
French regulars there"
Show do you account for their not aid
ing their allies in their attack" asked
Selwyn.
"Well, the Indian is usually cautious
enough; but he is also Jealous Of the
white man, and when he thinks he sees a
chance to steal march on him and snatch
his laurels and few scalps. he is apt to
lose his head. But the Frenchmaa has
the laugh on him this time"
1--WE must strike while the iron is
hot" cried Selwyn; tive will attack the
enemy at once before the Indians re-
cover from their panic''
The Mohawks, struggling in from the
pursuit. were collected by their chief,
while the rangers, flushed with victory,
were eager for another dash at the enc
my. These, marching in open order,
while the Mohawks formed o skirmish
line in front, forded the creek and
moved forward silently to the attack.
1t was apparent that the decentralization
of the redskins was complete. for the
attacking force met with no impedirent
until, within few hundred yards of the
French camp, the Mohawks drove in the
outposts.
The French, though taken by sur
prise, and having no breastworks to
check their assailants, fell into ranks
with the instinct Of veterans, and pre-
sented serried front before which the
Indians recoiled for moment and
cleared the way for the rangers who
came on steadily and delivered a volley,
which the French returned and then
charged with the baypnet; but the
steady fire Of rifles which were not
aimed at random checked their advance
while the Mohawks with Brant at their
head stormcd their TANKS with toma-
hawk and rife. Retiring slowly with
their faces to the foe, they gained the
shelter of the heavy timber, which aid
ed their, retreat. Selwyn halted his
rangers and left the pursuit to the Mo-
| hawks.
at is my belief" said Renwick, chat
this is the advance guard Of stronger
force, to whom the redskins fed whom
you defeated this morning, instead of
reinforcing these regulars"
Late in the afternoon the Mohawks
| E0UuiltI Will Uuc ucWS GudU U1cy udu
pursued the enemy within the lines of
force the numbers of which could not be
estimated. A council of officers was
called to whom Selwyn submitted the
alternatives of an immediate march to
Oswego, or to remain and fortify their
position and send messenger to the
fort for instructions The latter pro-
posal found favor with the majority, as
Renwick suggested that they would
thus be enabled to discover the force of
the enemy and to retreat if necessary.
But Selwyn and Brant urged the pru-
dence of continuing the march until
better position be found, and game col
lected for subsistence, while if the
enemy attacked them With cannon,
theycould not hold their present exposed
position. 1t was therefore decided to
continue the march, and also to send a
runner to the fort. For this duty Ariel
was selected. u,
|