Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1891-02-05

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to the guns which they placed on a raft,
hastily constructed, and towed 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 a strong breeze, swept over an
area of several acres, thus preventing
the return of the enemy till the fire
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, 1 fear," responded
Selwyn. 1--WE have checked them in "a
measure, and every day gained in
creases the chance that succor may ar
rive"
Renwick was silent.
"You have no hope in that direction?"
"No," replied Renwick; ''even if your
uncle succeeded in stirring up the En-
glishmen, their European tactics are too
slow, and while they are planning q
campaign the battle will be fought out.
The question is, shall we die like rats
in hole, or make another dash for vic
tory?" i+lif
"You have = plan, them" asked
Selwyn.
"Not plan, shut suggestion. This
position can not be held against SUI
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 the rear,
harassed by clouds Of redskins. Now
7 suggest that we cross the river before
daylight tomorrow, and attack the
enemy as sooh 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
aid 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 favorably 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 foe, while the Ameri-
cans raised breastwork which was to
cover their embarkation if retreat was
necessary. 1t was past noon when scat
tering shots told that the Mohawks had
found the enemy and were falling back.
The aurons had been so roughly hand
led on the previous day that they we're
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 an
tagonists; and no sooner had the head
of their column emerged from the forest
on the burned plateau, than they found
a 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 MoEawks attacked their TANKS
with shot and tomahawk.
The surprise was complete. The be-
wildered French believed themselves to
be attacked by regular troops 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 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 retreated 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,