In consequence he fell into an ambush, for when he reached the first houses, hidden Indians suddenly fired on him from front and flank.

Many horses, including that of the commander, were shot down, and the startled troops began a disorderly retreat, firing at random.Col.Hammond rallied about twenty of the coolest, and ordering them to reserve their fire, he charged the fence from behind which the heaviest hostile fire came.

When up to it, they shot into the dark figures crouching behind it, and jumping over charged home.

The Indians immediately fled, leaving one dead and three wounded in the hands of the whites.

The action was over; but the by-no-means-reassured victors had lost five men mortally and thirteen severely wounded, and were still rather nervous.