But few men fit to bear arms were left for its defense, and it was certain that the allied British and Indian army would easily take it on the morrow.

A demand for its surrender in the name of King George III of England had already been made, and, sitting at a little rough table in the cabin of Thomas Bennett, the room lighted only by a single tallow wick, Colonel Butler and Colonel Dennison were writing an agreement that the fort be surrendered the next day, with what it should contain.

But Colonel Butler put his wife on a horse and escaped with her over the mountains.
Stragglers, evading the tomahawk in the darkness, were coming in, only to be surrendered the next day; others were pouring forth in a stream, seeking the shelter of the mountains and the forest, preferring any dangers that might be found there to the mercies of the victors.
When Shif'less Sol learned that the fort was to be given up, he said: "It looks ez ef we had escaped from the Iroquois jest in time to beg 'em to take us back." "I reckon I ain't goin' to stay 'roun' here while things are bein' surrendered," said Long Jim Hart.
"I'll do my surrenderin' to Iroquois when they've got my hands an' feet tied, an' six or seven uv 'em are settin' on my back," said Tom Ross.
"We'll leave as soon as we can get arms for Sol and Paul," said Henry.
"Of course it would be foolish of us to stay here and be captured again.
Besides, we'll be needed badly enough by the women and children that are going." Good weapons were easily obtained in the fort.

It was far better to let Sol and Paul have them than to leave them for the Indians.

They were able to select two fine rifles of the Kentucky pattern, long and slender barreled, a tomahawk and knife for each, and also excellent double-barreled pistols.