The youth eagerly said he would do all that was required, and the plan was soon formed. Several bullets were fired through his clothes, and he dashed off as fast as he could speed through the woods. When he reached the enemy's camp a few miles away, he was so exhausted that he could hardly stand. Asked to explain what it all meant, he said he had just escaped from the Americans by the narrowest means possible, and as proof he showed the many bullet holes in his clothing. Hardly was this explanation made when the Oneida ran in from another direction, with the same startling story. "The Americans are like the leaves on the trees," he said; "They will soon be here!" It was enough. The terrified Indians broke in a wild flight for safer quarters, despite the efforts of their officers to check them. Inasmuch as they made up most of the force of the besiegers, the soldiers had nothing to do but follow them and thus the siege of Fort Stanwix was raised. It seems strange that it did not occur to the underwitted Tory that, after reaching the camp of the besiegers, he might as well have told the truth, since he was beyond the reach of Arnold; but that officer probably gave him such a scare that it took him a long time to get over it. And it is likely the American commander played upon his fears regarding the safety of his mother, in case he betrayed his trust. The next event in which Brandt figures is the tragedy at Wyoming, which occurred in the following July. Congress had been warned that a large force was gathering at Niagara for the purpose of desolating the frontiers of New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia, but that body had so much other business on hand it gave no attention to the appeal. In the month of July, 1778, a Tory and Indian force to the number of sixteen hundred, marched against the lovely settlement. The people took refuge in a structure known as "Forty Fort," while the old men, boys, and a few veteran soldiers, who were home on furlough, ranged themselves for action. [Illustration: AN OLD CHRISTIAN INDIAN] Although the invaders were three times as numerous as the patriots, the latter had a fair chance of success in an open fight, for they were quite well armed, were led by good officers, and had the strongest inspiration that can come to men placed in their situation; they were about to fight, not for themselves alone, but for their wives and children. Before the opening of the battle, strong spirits were distributed among the defenders, and truth compels us to say that a number indulged too freely,--so much so that it helped in the defeat of the patriots. They were steadily gaining ground when an order was misunderstood and confusion followed. At that critical moment, the Indians made a charge, hopeless panic followed, and the historical Wyoming massacre began. Under a solemn pledge that no one should be harmed, the fort was surrendered: nearly all the garrison, as well as the women and children, perished by the tomahawk.