The parties separated without reaching an agreement; but the end
had come. The terror in Hamilton's soul was doubled by a wild
scene enacted under the walls of his fort; a scene which, having
no proper place in this story, strong as its historical interest
unquestionably is, must be but outlined. A party of Indians
returning from a scalping expedition in Kentucky and along the
Ohio, was captured on the outskirts of the town by some of Clark's
men, who proceeded to kill and scalp them within full view of the
beleaguered garrison, after which their mangled bodies were flung
into the river.
If the British commander needed further wine of dread to fill his
cup withal, it was furnished by ostentatious marshaling of the
American forces for a general assault. His spirit broke
completely, so that it looked like a godsend to him when Clark
finally offered terms of honorable surrender, the consummation of
which was to be postponed until the following morning. He accepted
promptly, appending to the articles of capitulation the following
reasons for his action: "The remoteness from succor; the state and
quantity of provisions, etc.; unanimity of officers and men in its
expediency; the honorable terms allowed; and, lastly, the
confidence in a generous enemy."
Confidence in a generous enemy! Abject fear of the vengeance just
wreaked upon his savage emissaries would have been the true
statement.
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