Captain Zebulon Butler would have been killed by a bayonet, but for the interposition of Captain Craig, one of Ogden's officers, who arrested the weapon, and prevented farther bloodshed. The greater portion of the prisoners were sent to Easton for imprisonment, while Butler and a few of the chief men were ordered to Philadelphia. Ogden then plundered the fort, and all the houses of the settlement, of whatever he could find of value, and withdrew to the larger settlements beyond the mountains- leaving a garrison to retain possession of the fort during the winter.

But it was shortly determined by the fortunes of war, that this oft-contested position should again change hands. After the burning of Ogden's house, as already mentioned, warrants were issued by the Judges of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, directing the arrest of Lazarus Stewart, Zebulon Butler, and Lazarus Young, for the crime of arson. Stewart was arrested at Lebanon; but some of his partizans in the neighbourhood, hearing of his arrest, immediately repaired thither for his rescue. On their approach he knocked down the officer in whose charge he had been placed, and joined his friends, whom he shortly led back to Wyoming, though, as it would appear, in profound secrecy. Meantime, as the settlers from Connecticut had been completely dispersed by Ogden in the autumn, the garrison left by him at Fort Durkee saw no necessity for keeping an over-vigilant watch. The result of

their negligence should serve as a caution to soldiers as well in peace as in war; since it happened that at about three o'clock on the morning of December 18th, this little isolated garrison was awakened from a deep and quiet slumber by an unceremonious visit from Stewart, at the head of twenty-three Lancastrians, and half a dozen Connecticut boys, who had already taken possession of the fort, and were shouting "Huzzah for King George!" The garrison consisted of but eighteen men, exclusive of several women and children. Six of the former leaped from the parapet and escaped naked to the woods. The residue were taken prisoners; but were subsequently driven from the valley, after being relieved of such of their movables as the victors thought worth the taking. Stewart and his men remained in the fort.

These bold and lawless exploits of Stewart created a strong sensation in the minds of the Proprietaries' government. Another warrant for the arrest of Stewart was issued by the Supreme Court, and the Sheriff of Northampton was directed to proceed with the power of his county once more to Wyoming, and execute the writ. He arrived before the fort with his forces on Saturday the 18th of January, 1771, and demanded admittance, which was refused-Stewart declaring that Wyoming was under the jurisdiction of Connecticut, to whose laws and civil officers only he owed obedience. The parley continued until

nightfall, when the sheriff retired to a new blockhouse which Amos Ogden and his brother Nathan, with their followers, were building. This work was completed on Sunday; and on Monday Nathan Ogden accompanied the sheriff and his posse once more in front of Fort Durkee, to demand the surrender of Stewart. Another refusal ensued, whereupon Ogden commenced firing upon the fort, which was promptly returned. Ogden fell dead, and several of his men were wounded. The body being secured, the party returned to the block-house, and the residue of the day was occupied by Amos Ogden and the sheriff in devising what next was to be done. But the entire aspect of the siege was changed the ensuing night, by the silent evacuation of the fort by Stewart and forty of his men, leaving only twelve men behind, who quietly surrendered to the sheriff the next day, and were marched across the mountains to Easton. Amos Ogden remained in the fort, and persuaded many of his former associates again to join him, and attempt once more to colonize this vale of beauty and trouble. The death of Nathan Ogden was regarded by the authorities of Pennsylvania as the greatest outrage that had thus far marked this most singular and obstinate contest; and a reward of three hundred pounds was offered for the apprehension of Lazarus Stewart. But he was not taken.

The valley now had rest for the comparatively long period of six months, during which time the

settlers of Ogden had increased to the number of eighty-two persons, including women and children. Their repose and their agricultural occupations were, however, suddenly interrupted on the 6th of July, by the descent from the mountains of seventy armed men from Connecticut, under the command of Captain Zebulon Butler, who had been joined by Lazarus Stewart at the head of another party. Their object was to regain the possession of the valley, and they set themselves at work like men who were in earnest. During the season of repose which Ogden had enjoyed, he had abandoned Fort Durkee, and built another and stronger defence, which he called Fort Wyoming. The forces of Butler and Stewart were rapidly augmented by recruits from Connecticut; and several military works were commenced by the besiegers, to hasten the reduction of Ogden's garrison. For this purpose two redoubts were thrown up, one of them upon the bank below Fort Wyoming, and the other upon a bold eminence above, projecting almost into the river, and entirely commanding the channel. Two entrenchments were likewise opened, and the fort was so completely invested that communication with the surrounding country was entirely cut off. But Ogden's garrison was well supplied with provisions and ammunition; and his work too strong to be taken without artillery. Thus circumstanced, he conceived the bold design of escaping from the fort by stratagem, and proceed

ing in person to Philadelphia for reinforcementsinstructing his troops in any event to retain the post until his return. His plan was executed with equal courage and skill. On the night of July 12th he made up a light bundle to float upon the surface of the river, upon which he secured his hat. Connecting this bundle to his body by a cord of several yards in length, he dropped gently into the stream, and floated down with the current-the bundle, which presented much the most conspicuous object, being intended to draw the fire should it be discovered. It was discovered by the sentinels, and a brisk fire directed upon it from the three redoubts. But as it appeared to hold the even tenor of its way without interruption from the bullets, the firing ceased, and the bundle and its owner escaped- - the latter untouched, but the former and less sensitive object pierced with several bullets.

John Penn having retired from the colony, the office of the Executive had now devolved upon the Honourable James Hamilton, President of the Council. Ogden arrived at Philadelphia without delay, and on a representation of the situation of affairs at Wyoming, vigorous efforts were set on foot for the succour of the besieged. A detachment of one hundred men was ordered to be raised, to march upon the rebellious settlers, with the sheriff of Northampton, but under the command of Colonel Asher Clayton. The detachment was to be divided into two companies, the one com