The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1894-02-16

forms in the grass told them that at least
three braves would never more follow the
plume of the great Shawnee chief
At last there came from beyond the clear
ing a sound like the note of u bird, and Cap
tain Ned said to his nearest companion:
THAT was a signal. Archie. Now we
shall have more hot work"
"In truth we shall" was the reply.
"Look across the clearing to where the big
tree stands"
Captain Ned looked and saw moving
there a dark mass, which confirmed his
fears 1t looked like more than so men
marching with compactness and when the
signal was repeated and answered by one OF
the hidden braves near the fort the new en-
envy came to a halt.
'See the moon shining on the buckles
and guns" cried one of the boys. "Wewill
have to meet the British now"
At this moment an Indian sprang W
from behind stump and ran across the
clearing like deer.
He was not molested by those in the fort,
but was permitted to join those marching
forward, and the boys imagined they could
hear him telling the story Of the battle as
far as it had gone.
To their astonshment, the soldiers and
Indians then marched to the left and van,
shed In vain they waited for their reap
pearance.
1t was long night for the watchers with.
in Fort Bubolink. They started at every
sound, and when the moon went down they
were more vigilant than ever.
AT length daylight broke over the sleep
less little garrison, and then were anxious
eyes at the loopholes.
The bodies Of the three Indians killed in
the night assault were no longer in the
grass. They had been removed during the
darkness by their comrades.
Look! The whole British armyP' sud
denly exclaimed boy at a loophoole.
Sure enough, approaching the fort with
the bright light upon their equipments, q
large force Of redcoats were to be seer
marching in tolerable order.
On the. TANKS of the white army lowered
a lot of Indians half naked and willy as
foxes, and as the boys watched them they
felt that Fort Bobolink was soon to fall.
On came the redcoats, and the defenders
saw three cannon planted where they coulC
demolish the cabin in jiffy.
Having made his preparations, the Brit
ish commander rode forward with hand
some Indian chieftain at his side.
The savage also wore British uniform
and this identified him at once.
st is Tecumseh in a major generals uni
FORM" said Captain Ned. Zone shot woult
rid the frontier of its greatest curse, but W
will not fire it now"
Tecumseh halted before the fort an
raised his hand. He was looking straigh
at the little cabin.
IF white men will surrender, Tecumse
promises to spare their lives, " said the chic
The people in the fort looked at one nj
other They had heard great deal abou
Indian mercy" but they had also hear
how on one occasion Tecumseh had reall
interfered to save the lives of America
prisoners.
Shall we surrender" asked Capital
Ned as he faced the little band.
Further resistance seems to mean death,
was the reply
"That is true"
Captain Ned thrust handkerchief out {
portfolio. The Indian turned to the Bri
ish general.
pile your arms up in one corner of tt
cabin and march out single file" command
ed the officer.
The boys took the barricades from ii
door and threw it open. They had place
all the rifles in one corner and were read
to march forth.
Come" said Ned, who had placed hin
). self at their head. Forward, marchW
With the women and little children in I'll
middle, the little band left Fort Bobolink
The red coated officer looked at Tecums(
and smiled.
; But Tecumseh, as erect as q statue, co
tinued to gaze straight ahead without mo
ing muscle.
Ned Talcot marched his company
within few feet of the pair then he halle
and saluted.
Boys" said the British officer contem
tuously, ''if had known this, would ha
given you a taste of British grapeW
The speaker was General Proctor hir
self, and his harsh words were met by Il
calm voice of Tecumseh:
1.-The white boys shall go to their home
They are as brave as their fathers. Tn
have defended their mothers and lit
ones"
The redskins who had accompanied Il
, retreating army now came up, and the
dark looks BODIED the settlers no good. B
, Tecumseh stood between them and the tol
y ahawks and pointed toward the settlemer
In another minute the little compal
, turned and marched away.
When the settlement was reached the
= followed season of rejoicing, and sol
: afterward the men who had helped 4
! fend Fort Meigs came home.
. Strange to say, this particular sett
ment was spared the ravages of war,
!, if Tecumseh held back his tomahawkil
= minions from its fair precincts.
! The exploit of the seven boys passed in
:. local history, and for many years along t
frontiers the settlers repeated the story
. the defense of Fort Bobolink.-T. G. HI
baugh in Washington News.
4 Former Elephants.