But a few lashes had left their bloody marks upon his back when the uplifted arm of the executioner was arrested.
The awful Indian war-whoop, the precursor of blood and flame and torture, which even the boldest heart could seldom hear without terror, burst as it were simultaneously from a hundred warrior lips.

The wary savages had provided themselves with sharpened sticks.

Rending the skies with their yells, they rushed forward from the gloom of the woods upon the totally unprovided garrison, and very speedily plugged up the loop-holes, so that not a musket could be discharged through them.
Then with their hatchets they commenced cutting down the palisades.

The bewilderment and consternation within was indescribable.

A few of the assailants hewing at the barricades were shot down, but others instantly took their places.