The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1898-05-21

If the besiegers fell at every shot,.
Several times did the enemy make a
rush in large bodies to effect lodg-
ment under the walls-but the unerr-
ing rifles of the heroic borderers, fred
through the loopholes Of the different
block houses, drove them back in Gis-
may, burdened with the weight Of
their fallen comrades.
Once only was there a pause in the
conflict. A white flag was thrust out
of o window Of one of yonder cabins,
and the head Of white man appeared,
demanding, in English, the surrender
of the fort, in the name Of his Brit
tannic Majesty. He read the procla>
nation of British Governor, and
promised protection to all in the fort
if they would surrender at once and
swear allegiance to the British crown.
He was answered with derision.
eff you want the fortwhy don't you
and your red men take it," replied
the intrepid Colonel Shepherd.
"And if we do take it, we'll put to
death all that ore in it," replied the
white leader Of the savages.
"You would do that even if we sur
rendered, was the haunting rejoinder.
"No! You shall be protected; I
swear it by all hold sacred!"
s,"And what do you hold sacred, you
treacherous scoundrel?'' cried tho gal
liant Colonel. ''Bah! Simon Girty,
we know you; and this place shall
never be surrendered to you, while
there is IN American soldier left to de-
fend it,"
Girty, the renegade-for the white
chief was mono other-was about to
renew his treacherous proposition,
when one of the men in the fort, be.
coming exasperated, lodged a bullet
in the logs, just above his head, as q
warming Of what he might expect him.
self, unless he withdrew, which he
did Immediately.
Again were hostilities renewed, and
continued up to the moment when We
have seen proper to enter the fort
with the reader. \
And now, for the second time since
daylight this morning, have the In.
diaus ceased their assault. It is ont
o'clock, and for eight long hours ha:
there been almost incessant firing
Let us look out through the loop
holes.
Away there against the wood, at tn
base Of the hill, beyond rife range
you see a body Of sayages collected
holding council Of war. Yonder
along the edge of the corn field, partl,
hidden by the fence and partly con
cealed among the fallen timber, yol
see many dusky forms, and man,
readily believe you see only few Q
the number which there lie in wait, a
a sort of corps de reserve. And a.
among the cabins, yonder, you see
few more savages-some saunterin
about, some peering through the pa
ings and some gazing out Of the wiz
dows. And look whore you may i
every direction you behold Indians.
How is it within the fort? In til
center of the area l'hich the palisade
;nclose in front Of wonder row {
cabins-whe1e many a brave fathe'
husband. and son slept last nigh
whose n.angled bodies now repose
wonder corn feld-in the center of til
area, I say, group of men, wome
aud children are collected. Their
stand gray haired sires, and striplin
youths-staid matrons, and nader
in bloom-and oil look sad and an
ious. Some Of the men, will. dolef'
faces, are leaning upon their rifle
aud wiping the perspiration, blac
ened with powder, from their bronze
features; and some Of the women a
, clasping little innocent infants to the
hearts, aud looking down upon the
: with fond eyes dimmed with tears.
"God hol p us!" said the gala
D Colonel Shepherd, fine, noble spe'
1 men of humanity, who is standing
Q the center of the group-and as
i speaks, he casts down his eyes q!
Y signs: eff we could only die Ii
n soldiers, fighting to the last, selli
g our lives at q heavy price to our fo'
o it would not seem so hard; but to
Q compelled to stand idle and helple
d aud see the hideous monsters en'
j. our stronghold, and butcher c
h mothers, wives, sisters, and childr'
n while we ourselves are secured
}. future tortures-oh! it is terrib
" And yet it must come to this soon
n the Indians renew their attack, uni
kind Providence saves us by mirac
in Men, +" he added, with kindling 9
70 "you have done nobly-you h
at fought like heroes; boys, you
s. worthy of your sires-I no cowa
n here; and oh! would to God we
" had the means to continue our gall
70 defencel But what are rifles with
h powder? And it is a startling
re- that we have but three rounds le
to .sWhat an oversight" said anotl