98 HISTORY OF he had stolen in Minisink. He fell upon the neck of the horse, but managed to keep his place in the saddle until he had reached the opposite bank, and joined such of his friends as had crossed before him. It is said that he died from his wounds not long afterward. • The belligerents soon engaged in deadly conflict; when, above the yelling and whooping of the savages, the hurrahs of the whites, and the report of fire-arms, Brant was heard — in a voice which was never forgotten by those who were present — commanding all who were on the opposite side of the river with the plunder, to return. They at once dashed into the Delaware, and soon fell upon the rear of the Americans, who were thus completely surrounded and hemmed in, except about one-third of their number, v/hom Brant in the early part of the engagement, had contrived to cut off from the main body. The enemy were several times greater in number than the Americans, who were ultimately driven in and confined to about an acre of ground. Being short of ammunition, Hathorn's orders, in imita- tion of those of Putnam, at Bunker's Hill, were strict, that no man should fire until very sure that his powder would not be lost. The battle commenced about eleven o'clock in the morn- ing, and was maintained until the going down of the sun ; both parties fighting after the Indian fashion — every man for himself — and the whole keeping up an irregular fire from behind rocks and trees, as best they could.* The militia were completely cut off from water, and suffered gi*eatly during the day from thirst. About sunset their am- munition gave out, and the survivors attempted to escape by breaking through the circle of bloodthirsty savages, but were many of them cut down. ^' Doctor Tustin was engaged behind a cliff of rocks in Stone's Life of Brant.
