willing to buy their stock of provisions and grant security
to all within the fort. The offer was generous, but the
garrison rejected it with a good-tempered disdain and
the siege went on with renewed earnestness. The Indians,
hiding in the thickets, poured their fire upon those who
were working on the walls. The presence of the savages
lent a weird fury to the scene, made it, indeed, well-nigh
uncanny. One evening in particular they 'spread themselves
through the woods, completely encircling the Fort, and
commenced a terrible yelling, which was continued at
intervals the greater part of the night.' Fort Stanwix
was soon in dire straits. The news of the investment had
sent a thrill through the whole of the Mohawk valley.
The colonials came together in haste, and soon about a
thousand of them, led by Nicholas Herkimer, were ascending
the river in straggling array. They hurried on their
course with such zeal that they did not even send out
scouting parties to warn them of danger and prevent
surprise. On August 5 this relief force was close to
Oriskany, and only eight miles distant from St Leger's
position. Herkimer now matured a clever plan, the success
of which he confidently expected would bring him victory.
He chose three men and sent them forward to gain entrance
to the fort and to tell Gansevoort that help was coming.
The moment they arrived the besieged were to fire three
guns in rapid succession. This was to be Herkimer's
signal; he would speed at once along the road to the
British position and fling himself on its rear, while,
at the same time, Gansevoort must issue forth and attack
it in front. St Leger's army, it was hoped, would crumble