, I know of no one
that will be more likely to need them than yourself and the cowardly
cut-throats who call you chief. We too expect reinforcements; for
the country is roused in every direction; and if you remain here
twenty-four hours longer, the scalps of yourself and companions will
be drying on our cabins. Bring on your cannon and blaze away as soon
as you please! We shall fear you not, even then; for if you succeed in
entering, along with your naked, rascally companions, we shall set our
old women to work, and have you scourged to death with rods, of which we
have on hand a goodly stock for the purpose. And now to wind up, allow
me to say I believe you to be a liar, and _know_ you to be a most
depraved, inhuman villain. This knowledge of your character is not
second-hand. I paid dearly for it, by a year's captivity. I defied
you when in your power: I spit at and defy you now in behalf of the
garrison! My name you may remember. It is Algernon Reynolds. What would
you more?"[23]

"Would that I had you in my power again," shouted back Girty; "for
by ----! I would willingly forego all other vengeance on the whites, to
take my revenge on you. I regret the garrison did not choose some one
to reply who was not already doomed to death. It was my desire to save
bloodshed; but my offer has been rejected from the mouth of one I hate;
and now I leave you to your fate. To-morrow morning will see your
bulwarks in ruins, and yourselves, your wives and little ones, in the
power of a foe that never forgives an injury nor forgets an insult.
Farewell till then! I bide my time."

As Girty concluded altogether, he began to ease himself down from the
stump, when his progress was not a little accelerated by hearing a voice
from the garrison cry out:

"Shoot the ---- rascal!--don't let him escape!"

Instantly some five or six rifles were brought to bear upon him; and
his fate might then have been decided forever, had not the voice of
Nickolson warned them to beware of firing upon a flag of truce. Girty,
however, made good his retreat, and the garrison was disturbed no more
that night. Before morning the Indians, after having killed all the
domestic cattle they could find belonging to the station, began their
retreat; and by daylight their camp was deserted; though many of their
fires were still burning brightly, and several pieces of meat were found
on roasting-sticks around them, all showing a late and hasty departure.

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