We went southward to avoid being seen, and crossed South Bay about eight miles south of the fort. Here we came upon the trail of a large party of Indians who had gone toward Fort Edward; and Rogers sent off a couple of scouts to notify the men at the fort. Then we turned and marched north in a couple of files, till we got within half a mile of the place where the French were cutting wood. Two Rangers and two Indians were sent forward to scout. They returned and reported that about forty Frenchmen were at work opposite the fort. "Now, boys," said Rogers, "get ready." We threw down our blankets, and crept up silently till we were near them. Then we rushed on them and took several prisoners. Many others were killed by our Indians. The French over at Fort Ticonderoga saw what was going on, and some eighty Canadians and Indians ran out of the fort followed by about one hundred and fifty regulars. They pursued us. "Spread out, boys, into a line abreast. Don't let them get a raking shot at you. Make for that rising ground over there." "I thought the old man wouldn't clear out without giving them a little fun," said McKinstry. "'Twouldn't be neighbourly after all the trouble they are taking to entertain us." We retreated till we reached the rising ground, and then made a stand. The Canadians and Indians had snowshoes, and were a good deal ahead of the regulars. As they approached us, McKinstry said: "I wonder what kind of a shot you can make, Ben, with that French gun you've got. I'll take that big Frenchman over there with the blue shirt on." "Well, then, I'll take the fellow next to him on the left." They ran up toward us, and began to fire. We waited till they got close, and returned their fire. As the smoke blew away, McKinstry said:-- [Sidenote: A WARM RECEPTION] "Both of our men are down. You did well, Ben. It's a good deal easier to shoot a partridge than it is to shoot a man who is running at you with a gun in his hand." The French fell back and waited for the regulars, and we started on again. We reached a long ridge, and crossing to the further side of it, halted. They came close to us, and McKinstry and I again chose our men. The Rangers poured a hot fire into them. We could not see till the smoke lifted. "Your man is down, Ben; and I can see my man running away, but he limps." "His toes may be frost-bitten, Mac." "They weren't five minutes ago." Our last fire completely routed the French, and they gave up the pursuit. Two Rangers were killed; one of them was next to me as he fell. The regular who went with us was shot, and an Indian was wounded. Of the enemy, some thirty were killed. We had the advantage in position, being sheltered by the ridge.