S TAKEN PRISONER

In spite of the apparent fury of the attack, and the expectation of the
garrison that a fierce assault was about to be made on their slender
defences, nothing of the kind was contemplated by the Indians. They
were not trained to that form of warfare, and when they found that
Gladwyn was not frightened into a surrender by noise and an exhibition
of force, they contented themselves with maintaining a vigorous fire
from behind barns, fences, bushes, slight ridges of earth, or any
object of sufficient size to shelter them from the steady return fire
of the soldiers. One cluster of buildings, within half-gunshot of the
fort, sheltered a large body of Indians, who from this point of vantage
directed a particularly galling fire at the loop-holes in the
palisades. By it several of the defenders were wounded, until finally
a cannon was brought to bear upon the hornet's nest, and a quantity of
red-hot spikes were thrust into its muzzle. A minute after its
discharge flames burst from the buildings, and the savages who had
occupied them were in precipitate flight, followed by jeering shouts
and a parting volley from the soldiers.

For six hours was this travesty of battle maintained. Then the Indian
fire slackened, and finally ceased altogether. Believing the affair to
be merely a temporary outbreak of a few hot-headed savages, that must
quickly blow over, Gladwyn took advantage of this lull in the storm to
send out two Canadians under a flag of truce to investigate the cause
of dissatisfaction. At the same time he proposed, while negotiations
were in progress, to secure a supply of provisions with which to stand
a siege.

A gate being opened for the departure of the ambassadors, most of the
Canadian inhabitants of the fort seized the opportunity to leave it,
saying that they could not bear to remain and witness the approaching
slaughter of their English friends.

In a short time Gladwyn's messengers returned, saying that Pontiac was
willing to arrange terms, but would only do so with Major Hester, and
had expressed a strong desire for a visit from that officer.

"Go back and tell him I will see him and his whole cowardly crew
hanged, before I will intrust the life of a single Englishman to his
treachery!" exclaimed the commander, angrily.

"Hold, Gladwyn!" protested Major Hester. "It is better that one life
should be risked than that all should be endangered. Nor do I think I
should be in any seri