It would have pleased me better had the old man decided to meet the curs in open fight, for this striking a blow in the darkness, with the odds all in our favor, smacked too much of the same style of fighting which John Butler called warfare; but it was not for me to find fault when we might make reprisals in some slight degree for the massacre of our people. We took our stations according to the instructions given by Master Bartlett, and, ready to kill, but not accounting it other than a just punishment, awaited the coming of those who had laid waste our beautiful valley. Not until half an hour after sunset did the foremost of the canoes come in sight, and the men were paddling wearily as if after a hard day’s march. It had been understood that the signal for us to begin work would be the report of Master Bartlett’s musket, and we waited eagerly for that, each fellow with his musket levelled and resting on a branch or stump that he might send the bullet more truly. The sights of my weapon covered a big savage, whose head-dress of feathers told that he was more vain than his brothers, else he would not have worn that ornament while on the war-path, and I had no doubt of bringing him down, for the boats were well within the range of our muskets. Then, when five or six of the foremost canoes were directly opposite where we had taken our stations, Master Bartlett fired, and one of the curs who had been paddling fell over the side of the frail craft in such a manner that it filled on the instant, leaving its occupants floundering in the river. I had the satisfaction of seeing the red brute at whom I aimed fall backward, and while reloading had a full view of all that took place. Not one of our party had missed his target; two of the canoes had been overset by the struggles of those who were wounded, and such of the boats as yet floated were headed for the opposite bank in desperate haste. It would have done me real good to give voice to the feelings of triumph which were mine when I saw those sneaks in such a panic of fear; but I held my peace, and stood ready for a shot at the next canoe, when I came to understand that all was not going as the old man had counted on. Giles March, who had been stationed next below me, came up hurriedly, as he whispered: “Master Bartlett gave the signal too soon; he should have waited till the last of the fleet was passing. Those in the rear are coming ashore on this side of the river, and we are like to have a warm time unless we can gain the cave, in which case we may find ourselves regularly besieged.” He had no more than ceased speaking when all the party came up, for my station was the one toward the north, and Master Bartlett said hurriedly: “Three canoes have been hauled up on this shore; the others are putting straight across the river. Is it in your minds, lads, that we keep together, or separate, in the retreat?”