The afternoon passed quietly; hostilities were not renewed. No further communication was held between the opposing forces; and at nightfall Bright Wing and Farley had heard nothing of their absent friend.
CHAPTER XVII.
When Colonel Dudley disembarked his men upon the northern bank of the Maumee, Ross Douglas was among them. It was he who led the way toward the British batteries—his faithful four-footed friend at his side.
When the charge was ordered, he was among the officers who headed the attacking columns, and his gun was among the first discharged. With a cheer, he clubbed his empty rifle and helped to put the English gunners to rout. It was an easy victory; the startled and terrorized artillerymen did not wait to fire a gun, but precipitately retreated toward their encampment down the river.
As soon as he saw the British in full flight and the Americans possessed of the batteries, Ross called Duke to him and seated himself upon a gun-carriage. He felt that the fight was over; and he was ready—as soon as the cannon should be spiked—to return to the boats and cross over to the fort.
At that moment, victory was with Colonel Dudley and his men. But—as has been explained—the savages concealed in the woods commenced to pour a withering fusillade into the ranks of the militia occupying the open ground surrounding the batteries. Dudley should have effected the purpose for which he had come and immediately re-embarked; but he hesitated—and was lost. The impulsive Kentuckians grew restless under the hot fire, and, without waiting for orders, began an impetuous and disorderly advance upon their hidden foes. Their officers sought to restrain them, but in vain. They had tasted victory, and were intoxicated. With cheers of exultation and yells of defiance, they broke the leash of discipline and madly charged the enemy.
Knowing well what the inevitable outcome of the rash attack would be, Douglas leaped to his feet, hastened to Colonel Dudley’s side, and shouted vehemently:
“For heaven’s sake, call a retreat, Colonel! Your men will fall into an ambush and be cut to pieces. It’s an old trick—as old as Indian warfare. Act—act at once!”