With Force and Arms

adland of St. Johns. In the meantime I had made no change in my plans, which were to make a feigned attack o

Ammunition was broken out, and all useless stuff put away below decks. In a short time we anchored in a little bay to the south of St. Jo

virgin forest. Now we had to cut our way through dense underbrush, 83scaring from their nests the woodland fowl. Sometimes the sneaking figure of a wolf wo

e heard howling on all sides of us. And thus we pushed on until

he attack in the morning. Guns that had been wet in fording streams were looked to, and the caked powder picked

given, and we were ready for the attack. If Cory, in charge of the sloops, was on hand, all would be well. We marched to the edge of the forest,

rwa

o the men to separate, that they might t

s. They looked down on us in wonder and then they shouted a warning and fired their muskets at us. T

was, dodging from side to side, I heard the dull boom and the r

e strength. It was two stories in height, built of solid logs. The upper story overhung the

dian fashion. The fort could be seen above the palisade, as the stronghold stood on a little knoll. I coul

ittle force, yet I believe that never a one halted or wis

ontinued, and the flashes and reports 85on the side farthest from us told

But a few minutes sufficed to show how little we had counted on the French and Indian fighting abilities. For no sooner had the cannon on our sloops and

palisade. It was a little too great a distance to do much damage, yet a few of the bullets that had a trifle more of powder behind them than others had, found a mark. I saw two of the French fall and roll down the hill, whil

vage Indians. They whooped horribly, 86and sprang up and down in the air, whirling about. They brandished their tomahawks a

find this out shortly. That the battle would go against us now seemed probable, but I knew our only hope was to fight on, even though the odds were heavy. I urged my men to reload quickly. Powder horns poured their black contents down the musket barrels. Then

our men. Clearly this was but a losing fight, and so I resolved that a charge, an attempt to storm the palisades, must be made. Could we but g

I counted to have them rush as soon as they had discharged their pi

, and the bulle

he loops. Immediately I ordered all my men to drop flat on their faces. As I e

r it!"

ing, and for the honor of Sale

been no time to reload on either side. Man after man of my little force was hurled backward from the top of the stockade, some suffering grievously. It was cut and slash and thrust with me, without stopping to take breath. I

n a sapling. Then, while he vainly tried to pull his tomahawk out, I raised my sword and brought it down on his naked head, shearing through his scalp lock and nig

lainly than a message that the sloops no longer sufficed to hold the enemy's attention. The whole force of the fort would now engage us. I hastily retreated my men, until we had put ourselves beyond musket shot.

naked 89savages came out uttering their war cry. Then, while my heart turned faint with horror, I watched the Indians approach the bodies of our dead that were just without the palisade. There was a gleam of steel flashing in the sunlight above their earth-pillowed heads, then the bloody scalp trophy was snatched from them; from some ere the breath of life had departed. One poor fellow, Peter Rankin (he had been next to me when we storme

opkins, the best marksman in the Colony, had, with his gun, crept forward in the grass when he saw the Indians come out. He it was who had taken swift vengeance on Rank

s as he came 90back among us, and several

at they would not advance, and attack us for a little while yet, as our strength was not fully known. They would naturally suppose that we had some reserve, and probably would not charge us until they saw what this amounted to. If we could get to the coast

is, though we had to pass a hail of lead, we could gain the shore and signal the sloops. It was, at best, but a dangerous and hazardous undertaking, yet we must act on that or some other quickly if we ever hoped to see Salem again. It was with anxious spirits then that

the left. It was well that we did so, for there was a shout from the forces in the fort, and, at the same time a belch of flame and smoke, followed

. It took some little time, however, for the enemy to get to the loop holes, and, by a good providence it happened that the cannon on that side were not loaded. Running at top speed we pressed on. One man fell behind me, shot through the head; another stumbled at my right hand, pitched on his face,

ar off to the right of the

the fort could reach us here, and every minute it was becoming more deadly. Several men were killed. Little clouds of dry sand, caused by the striking of the bullets, rose all around us. I glanced to where

the rock!" Cory cried. "

nt down straight into the depths of water, and the top part overhung so that a skillful pilot might sail

" I called, unders

from the stockade. I called a score of the best marksmen, and had them take each a spare loaded rifle from their comrades. The other men hurried on, and reached the rock. Cory directed h

!" I cried

e enemy, thinking we were beggi

d in return, but we had killed eight of them, while only two of our men died. I looked around, and saw that but a few men remained

and came on with a rush. Once more my band knelt down and delivered the last volley at short range, as they stood on the rock

in!" called

answered, dra

now. The Indian halted when a few feet away, and fired point blank at me. I felt a sudden sting as the bullet went through the flesh

led one of my men. "

While he hesitated only for an instant to concentrate all of his force into the b

ing a foot on the Indian's still quivering breast, I managed, with some use of force, to draw out the blade.

er around the sloops. Then the friendly breeze and tide carried us out of harm's way. We