Still, we must do the Captain the justice of saying that he had not left this side undefended; sentries had been posted there; but, unfortunately, in the disorder occasioned by the Indians' last charge, the sentries, thinking nothing was to be feared from the river, deserted their post to go whither they imagined the danger greatest, and help their comrades in repulsing the Indians.
This unpardonable fault ruined the defenders of the colony.
Tranquil disembarked his party without firing a shot.
The Pawnees, when they had once entered the fort, threw incendiary torches on the wooden buildings, and, uttering their war-yell, rushed on the Americans, whom they placed between two fires.
Tranquil, Quoniam, and some warriors who did not leave them, hurried up to the town.
Mrs. Watt, although taken by surprise, prepared, however, to defend the post confided to her.
The Canadian approached with hands upraised in sign of peace.
"Surrender, in Heaven's name!" he cried, "or you are lost; the colony is captured!"
"No!" she answered, boldly, "I will never surrender to a coward, who betrays his brothers to take the part of the Pagans!"
"You are unjust to me," the hunter answered, sadly— "I have come to save you."