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We held the treaty within sixty yards of the garrison, on purpose to divert
them from a breach of honour, as we could not avoid suspicions of the savages.
In this situation the articles were formally agreed to, and signed; and the
Indians told us it was customary with them, on such occasions, for two Indians
to shake hands with every white-man in the treaty, as an evidence of entire
friendship. We agreed to this also, but were soon convinced their policy was to
take us prisoners.--They immediately grappled us; but, although surrounded by
hundreds of savages, we extricated ourselves from them, and escaped all safe
into the garrison, except one that was wounded, through a heavy fire from their
army. They immediately attacked us on every side, and a constant heavy fire
ensued between us day and night for the space of nine days.
In this time the enemy began to undermine our fort, which was situated sixty
yards from Kentucke river. They began at the water- mark and proceeded in the
bank some distance, which we understood by their making the water muddy with the
clay; and we immediately proceeded to disappoint their design, by cutting a
trench across their subterranean passage. The enemy discovering our
counter-mine, by the clay we threw out of the fort, desisted from that
stratagem: And experience now fully convincing them that neither their power nor
policy could effect their purpose, on the twentieth day of August they raised
the siege, and departed.
During this dreadful siege, which threatened death in every form, we had two men
killed, and four wounded, besides a number of cattle. We killed of the enemy
thirty-seven, and wounded a great number. After they were gone, we picked up one
hundred and twenty- five pounds weight of bullets, besides what stuck in the
logs of our fort; which certainly is a great proof of their industry. Soon after
this, I went into the settlement, and nothing worthy of a place in this account
passed in my affairs for some time.
Adventure 15
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