Page:History of Delaware County (1856).djvu/343

 DELAWARE COUNTY. 319 struck within two inches of his face, and glanced over his head, throwing dirt in his eyes. He then ran into the fort, not, however, without bringing to the ground another Indian. About 8 o'clock the enemy commenced a regular attack on the fort, which was returned with effect from the garrison. The regular troops fired a few cannon shot, and threw a number of shells, one of which burst in the air above the fort, doing • . no injury; another entered, and burst in the upper loft of the fort, doing no other mischief than destroying a quantity of bedding and nearly frightening to death a little Frenchman who had fled to the chamber for protection, and came running down stairs, at the same time exclaming, de diable pe among de fedders.'^ The interior of the fort was several times on - fire, but was as often extinguished by the exertions of the women. The Indians retreated behind a row of willow trees, and kept up a constant fire, but at too great a distance to do effect. In the fort, all was gloom and despondency ; the garrison only amounted to 150 regular troops, and about 100 , militia. Their ammunition was nearly exhausted — to attempt to defend the fort, appeared to be madness ) to surrender, was to deliver up themselves, their wives and children, to imme- diate death, or at least to a long captivity. Major Wolsey, ■ ^ who commanded the fort, was inclined to surrender on the ' ' first appearance of the enemy, but was prevented by the ofiicers of the militia, who resolved to defend the fort or to die in the contest. Wolsey' s presence of mind forsook him in the hour of danger ) he concealed himself at first with the women and children in the house, and when driven out by the ridicule of his new associates, he crawled round the intrenchments on his hands and knees, amid the jeers and bravos of the militia, who felt their courage revive as their laughter was excited by the cowardice of the Major. In the times of extreme danger, every thing which has a tendency to destroy reflection by exciting risibility has a good effect.