They were picked warriors from eight tribes.

The night was dark, and the sighing of the wind through the tree tops and the breaking of the surf upon the beach added to the deep repose of the sleepers.
The Indians landed and stealthily crept through the silent streets; and yet, from some unexplained cause, they made no attack.

Gradually the inhabitants were awakened, and there was a rapid assembling of the principal men within the fort.

Several of the chiefs were called before them.

They gave no satisfactory account of the object of their formidable visit, and uttered no threats.