Page:History of Delaware County (1856).djvu/120

96 HISTORY OF they affected to hold the Indians in contempt, insisted that they would not fight, and maintained that a re-capture of the plunder they had taken, would be an easy achievement. Town- meeting counsels in the conduct of war, are not always the wisest, as will appear in the sequel. The niajority of Tustin's command were evidently determined to pursue the enemy, but their deliberations were cut short by Major Meeker, who mounted his horse, flourished his sword, and vauntingly called out, ^ Let the brave men follow me, the cowards may stay behind !' It may readily be supposed that such an appeal to an excited multitude, would decide the question, as it did. The line of march was immediately taken up, and after pro- ceeding seventeen miles the same evening, they encamped for the night. On the morning of the 22nd, they were joined by a small reinforcement under Colonel Hathorn, of the Warwick regiment, who, as the senior of Col. Tustin, took the com- mand. When they had advanced a few miles to Half-way brook, they came upon the Indian encampment of the preced- ing night, and another council was held there. Colonels Hathorn, Tustin, and others, whose valor was governed by prudence, were opposed to advancing further, as the number of Indian fires and the extent of the ground they had occu- pied, removed all doubt as to the superiority of their numbers. A scene similar to that which had broken up the former coun- cil was acted at this place, and with the same result. The voice of prudence was compelled to yield to that of bravado." It was the opinion of some of the officers, that the best way to attack the enemy was to fall upon them at night, while they were encamped and asleep. This project was discussed at the council, but was finally abandoned, because it was thought that in the confusion and uncertainty of a night attack, the Americans would be as apt to destroy each other as to kill the Indians. "Captain Tyler, who had some knowledge of the woods,