But this
inaction soon ended. The conflict was resumed, though the efforts of the
assailants began to assume the confidence of victory, while, on the part
of the besieged, they partook fearfully of the aspect of despair.
A few muskets were discharged, both from below and above, at the
intermediate floor, but the thickness of the planks prevented the bullets
from doing injury. Then commenced a struggle in which the respective
qualities of the combatants were exhibited in a singularly characteristic
manner. While the Indians improved their advantages beneath, with all the
arts known to savage warfare, the young men resisted with that wonderful
aptitude of expedient, and readiness of execution, which distinguish the
American borderer.
The first attempt of the assailants was to burn the floor of the lower
apartment. In order to effect this, they threw vast piles of straw into
the basement. But ere the brand was applied, water had reduced the
inflammable material to a black and murky pile. Still the smoke had nearly
effected a conquest which the fire itself had failed to achieve.
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