Here they crossed, in two canoes, to the eastern shore of the river, and spent the night without sleep.

The next morning Austill, with six men, ascended the river in the canoes, while Dale, with the rest of the party, marched up the bank.

About a mile below the root fortress, Dale who was marching some distance ahead of his men, came upon some Indians at breakfast, and without waiting for his men to come up, shot their chief.

The rest fled precipitately, leaving their provisions behind.

Pushing on, Dale reached a point about two hundred yards below the root fortress, and there determined to recross the river.