There was a movement of blind terror among the Whites after this attack made by invisible enemies. Fifteen men at one round was a fearful loss for the colonists; the combat was assuming serious proportions, which threatened to degenerate into a defeat; for the Indians had never before displayed so much energy and obstinacy in an attack. No hesitation was possible; the daring force must be dislodged at any cost from the post where they had so rashly ambushed themselves. The Captain formed his resolve. Collecting some twenty resolute men, while the others guarded the palisades, he had the drawbridge lowered, and rushed out. The enemies then met face to face. The medley became terrible; the White men and Redskins intertwined like serpents, drunk with rage and blinded by hatred, only thought of killing each other. All at once an immense glare illumined the scene of carnage, and cries of terror rose from the colony. The Captain turned his head, and uttered a shriek of despair at the horrible sight that met his terror-stricken gaze. The tower and principal buildings were on fire; in the light of the flames the Indians could be seen bounding like demons in pursuit of the defenders of the colony, who, grouped here and there, were attempting a resistance which had now become impossible. This is what had occurred:-- While Black-deer, Blue-fox, and the other principal Pawnee Chiefs attempted an attack on the front of the colony, Tranquil, followed by Quoniam, and fifty warriors, on whom he could depend, had got into the buffalo-hide canoes, silently descended the river, and landed in the colony itself, before the alarm was given, for the very simple reason that the Americans did not at all apprehend an attack from the side of the Missouri. 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!"