158      FRENCH AND INDIANS OF ILLINOIS RIVER.
Tonti, with fifty French soldiers, and one hurl dred Indian allies, held the rock when attacked by two thousand Iroquois, and put them to flight; consequently on this spot they felt secure.
Morning came and with it a clear sky and a bright sun; and from their elevated position they looked down on their enemies encamped on the great meadow below. Soon the allied forces were in motion, moving on the town, for the purpose of completing their bloody work; but they soon discovered that their intended victims had fled. The town was burned, the slain left un-buried where their swollen and distorted remains were found some days afterwards.
The allied forces forded the river at the rapids, surrounded Starved Rock, and prepared themselves for ascending it to complete their victory.
a part, but in fact must bave occurred a sbort time before he wan born, if we credit the traditions of others.
But the most remarkable part of Shick Shack's story ig the great duel fought near Terre Haute, Indiana, with three hundred on a side, and among the combatants was himself and anotber chief named Sugar. This duel lasted twelve long hours, wben all the warriors were killed except five on one side and seven on the other. The old chief informs us that neither himself nor Sugar were killed in this long and bloody affair
This great duel described by Sbick Shack is thought to be the same one spoken of in the Bible between the hosts of Abner and Joab, and the place of meeting Pool of Qibeon instead of Terre Haute, an above stated, and the number of coml>atants Delng increased from twelve oH each side to three hundred. In order to correspond with the balance of tbe story.