The division of old men and very young boys stood
next, and the Indians were upon them, tomahawk in hand, but in
the face of terrible odds all bore themselves with a valor worthy
of the best of soldiers. Three fourths of them died that day,
before they were driven back on the fort.
The Wyoming force was pushed away from the edge of the swamp,
which had been some protection to the left, and they were now
assailed from all sides except that of the river. "Indian"
Butler raged at the head of his men, who had been driven back at
first, and who had been saved by the Indians. Timmendiquas, in
the absence of Brant, who was not seen upon this field, became by
valor and power of intellect the leader of all the Indians for
this moment. The Iroquois, although their own fierce chiefs,
I-Tiokatoo, Sangerachte, and the others fought with them,
unconsciously obeyed him. Nor did the fierce woman, Queen
Esther, shirk the battle. Waving her great tomahawk, she was
continually among the warriors, singing her song of war and
death.
They were driven steadily back toward the fort, and the little
band crumbled away beneath the deadly fire. Soon none would be
left unless they ran for their lives.
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