Quickly the area's inhabitants, including some friendly Choctaws, call a meeting. The friendly Choctaws suggest attacking the renegades' camp when darkness falls, for they believe that this is nothing serious, just a problem with some drunk braves. The camp is located about three miles from the fort.
When the party of whites and friendly Choctaws approach, the fugitives let out war whoops and open fire. The settlers return fire and, led by the friendly Choctaws, storm the camp. The bandits escape, leaving two dead and several wounded, as well as most of their plunder. Nonetheless, four days later Bradley and the rest of the settlers evacuate downriver, having their cattle driven overland.
On December 31, 1771, at a congress for Choctaws and Chickasaws, the English upbraid the Choctaws for their attack at Natchez and for other alleged crimes. The Choctaws reply that the attack and other previous problems came about because of the copious quantities of rum that traders were bringing into their country. Chief Mingo Emmitta complained, "When the clattering of the packhorse bells are heard at a distance our town is immediately deserted. Young and old run out to meet them joyfully crying, 'Rum! Rum!' This is the ruin of our nation."
The English are uninterested in abandoning this important source of income, however, and the wise chief's advice is ignored.