ortie
against the foe. It was suggested that five hundred men
would be sufficient, but at the mention of this number
King Hendrick, the Indian leader, interposed. What,
indeed, could such a paltry handful do in the face of
the oncoming Frenchmen?

'If they are to fight,' he said, 'they are too few; if
they are to be killed, they are too many.'

In the early morning, September 8, 1755, a force of twelve
hundred set forth, only to learn the wisdom of Hendrick's
advice. Dieskau was proceeding cautiously, hoping to
catch the English in a trap. He sent out flying wings of
Indians and Canadians, while his French regulars formed
the centre of his force. As the English advanced along
the road, they found themselves suddenly attacked on both
sides by the enemy. A stiff struggle then took place in
which Johnson's men were badly worsted. King Hendrick's
horse was shot down, and before he could free himself
from his saddle he was slain by a bayonet thrust. Retreat
now became necessary, and by a steady movement the English
fell back upon their camp. There they determined to make
a decisive stand. Dieskau, emboldened by the success of
his previous advance, led his troops towards the lake in
battle array. His progress, however, was stopped by the
rude barricade which had been piled across the road, and
by eleven o'clock the second engagement of the day was
already being fought.

Brant has described his feelings when, as a mere boy, he
received his baptism of fire upon this battle-ground.
When the clatter of the musketry fell upon his ears, his
heart jumped and an indescribable fear seemed to take
possession of him. His limbs trembled, and in despair he
looked for something to steady him in the ordeal. Near
by grew a slender sapling, and he clutched at this and
held on tenaciously while the bullets went whizzing by.
After a few volleys had been fired he regained his natural
poise and took his place beside the old fighters who were
holding their own against a savage attack. From this
moment he acquitted himself with valour in the battle,
and, youth though he was, he fulfilled his desire 'to
support the character of a brave man of which he was
exceedingly ambitious.'

At length the French troops began to recoil before the
sweep of the English cannon. Dieskau received a severe
wound and the ardour of his followers was visibly cooled.
At four o'clock the English general thought the opportune
moment had arrived to make a sortie