ed of its security,
and aware of the danger which would inevitably ensue, should the
savages after being again driven back, return to the assault before a
fresh supply could be obtained, it was proposed that one of their
fleetest men should endeavor to reach the house, obtain a keg and
return with it to the fort. It was an enterprise full of danger; but
many of the chivalric spirits, then pent up within the fortress, were
willing to encounter them all.

Among those who volunteered to go on this emprise, was Elizabeth,
the younger sister of Colonel Zane. She was then young active and
athletic;--with precipitancy to dare danger, and fortitude to
sustain her in the midst of it. Disdaining to weigh the hazard of her
own life, against the risk of that of others, when told that a man
would encounter less danger by reason of his greater fleetness, she
replied--"and should he fall, his loss will be more severely felt.
You have not one man to spare;--a woman will not be missed in the
defence of the fort." Her services were accepted. Divesting herself
of some of her garments, as tending to impede her progress, she
stood prepared for the hazzardous adventure; and when the gate was
opened, she bounded forth with the buoyancy of hope, and in the
confidence of success. Wrapt in amazement, the Indians beheld her
spring forward; and only exclaiming, "a squaw, a squaw," no attempt
was made to interrupt her progress. Arrived at the door, she
proclaimed her embassy. Col. Zane fastened a table cloth around her
waist, and emptying into it a keg of powder, again she ventured
forth. The Indians were no longer passive. Ball after ball passed
whizzing and innocuous by. She reached the gate and entered the fort
in safety.[13]

Another instance of heroic daring, deserves to be recorded [265] here.
When intelligence of the investiture of Wheeling by the savages,
reached Shepherd's fort, a party was immediately detached from it, to
try and gain admission into the besieged fortress, and aid in its
defence. Upon arriving in view, it was found that the attempt would be
hopeless and unavailing, and the detachment consequently prepared to
return. Francis Duke, (son-in-law to Colonel Shepherd) was unwilling
to turn his back on a people, straitened as he knew the besieged must
be, and declared his intention of endeavoring to reach the fort, that
he might contribute to its defence. It was useless to disuade him from
the attempt;--he knew its danger, but