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describes it, "they dropped him like a carrier pigeon."^[1] Captain West and his men retired with great precipitation, and, finding the party under Studholme in hot pursuit, went up the Oromocto whence by portages to other inland waters they eventually, with much fatigue and difficulty, got back to Machias. Major Studholme was accompanied in this expedition by Colonel Michael Francklin, who had been recently appointed Superintendent of Indian affairs in Nova Scotia.

When tidings of the disaster reached Aukpaque all was consternation. Pierre Tomah came to Colonel Allan and begged he would write a letter to the commander of the British force and failing in his request Tomah went down to St. Ann's where he went on board the sloop of war that had come up the river and had an interview with Colonel Francklin. The result was that Tomah and some of the Indians made terms with Francklin; others, however, following the example of Ambroise St. Aubin, the second chief of the river, preferred to share the fortunes of Colonel Allan. William Hazen and James White were prisoners at St. Ann's until the arrival of the sloop of war, when they were speedily liberated. Aukpaque was abandoned by the Indians, July 11, 1777. They left their corn fields, packed up their few possessions, took down their chapel bell,^[2] and went up the river to the old Meductic village a few miles below the town of Woodstock. Finding the British still in pursuit, they ascended Eel river, and proceeded by the inland waters to Machias. Colonel Allan was accompanied by about 480 Indians, men, women and children, in 128 canoes. The party had a sorry time of it. The mid-summer heat was intense, the mosquitoes abundant, provisions were scanty and