When Captain Sublette arrived, he urged the men to penetrate the swamp and storm the fort, but all hung back in awe of the dismal horrors of the place, and the danger of attacking such desperadoes in their savage den.  The very Indian allies, though accustomed to bush-fighting, regarded it as almost impenetrable, and full of frightful danger.  Sublette was not to be turned from his purpose, but offered to lead the way into the swamp.  Campbell stepped forward to accompany him.  Before entering the perilous wood, Sublette took his brothers aside, and told them that in case he fell, Campbell, who knew his will, was to be his executor.  This done, he grasped his rifle and pushed into the thickets, followed by Campbell.  Sinclair, the partisan from Arkansas, was at the edge of the wood with his brother and a few of his men.  Excited by the gallant example of the two friends, he pressed forward to share their dangers.

The swamp was produced by the labours of the beaver, which, by damming up the stream, had inundated a portion of the valley.  The place was overgrown with woods and thickets, so closely matted and entangled that it was impossible to see ten paces ahead, and the three associates in peril had to crawl along, one after another, making their way by putting the branches and vines aside, but doing it with great caution, lest they should attract the eye of some lurking marksman.  They took the lead by turns, each advancing some twenty yards at a time, and now and then hallooing to their men to come on.  Some of the latter gradually entered the swamp, and followed a little distance in the rear.

They had now reached a more open part of the wood, and had glimpses of the rude fortress from between the trees.  It was a mere breastwork, of logs and branches, with blankets, buffalo-robes, and the leather covers of lodges extended around the top as a screen.  The movement of the leaders as they groped their way had been descried by the sharp-sighted enemy.  As Sinclair, who was in the advance, was putting some branches aside, he was shot through the body.  He fell on the spot.  “Take me to my brother,” said he to Campbell.  The latter gave him in charge of some of the men, who conveyed him out of the swamp.

Sublette now took the advance.  As he was reconnoitring the fort, he perceived an Indian peeping through an aperture.  In an instant his rifle was levelled and discharged, and the ball struck the savage in the eye.  While he was reloading he called to Campbell, and pointed out the hole to him:  “Watch that place, and you will soon have a fair chance for a shot.”  Scarce had he uttered the words when a ball struck him in the shoulder, and almost wheeled him around.  His first thought was to take hold of his arm with his other hand, and move it up and down.  He ascertained, to his satisfaction, that the bone was not broken.  The next moment he was so faint he could not stand.  Campbell took him in his arms and carried him out of the thicket.  The same shot that struck Sublette wounded another man in the head.