When the last of the party had loaded his musket, I led the way rapidly as far up toward the flames as we could go while remaining under cover, saying to my comrades when we were again halted: “Shoot the first cur who shows himself, and at a show of their coming for us, make all speed to where the canoes are hidden. I reckon we’ve done as much mischief on this side of the river as is safe, for I’m not minded to lose any member of this party.” We had not been in position above two minutes when five Indians came up from the shore at full speed, counting to pass within a dozen paces of where we were in hiding, and I motioned for the other fellows to fire, at the same time preventing Daniel Hinchman and Giles March from raising their weapons. Thus it was we had three loaded muskets when the race began after we fired into the squad, for it so chanced that following directly on the heels of those whom we shot at was a larger party, who opened fire immediately, at random, of course, since we were under cover, but more than one of their bullets came nearer than was pleasing. Then it was, in accordance with the plan already formed, that we beat a retreat; but before arriving at the oak-tree four of the curs were close behind, and we saw the advantage of having saved three charges for an emergency. “Giles March and Daniel Hinchman will halt and fire when I give the word,” I said, while we were running. “The others are to keep on for fifty paces, and then, if we are yet pursued, stop to reload in order to check those who may be behind us.” Then I cried “Halt!” and my two comrades stopped suddenly, wheeling around like a flash, and discharging their weapons before our pursuers had time to swerve from their course. We brought down only two; but the others took to their heels, and for the moment we were safe from pursuit. The rest of our party halted to reload, as I had ordered, and when we three came up, it was to follow their example. Having recharged my musket, I was so foolish as to fancy the moment had come when we might exult over our successes, and stopped to have speech with my comrades, giving no heed as to silence; but the first word had no more than been spoken when half a dozen muskets were discharged close at hand from the riverside, while the sharp twinge, followed by a sensation as of burning, told that I had received a bullet in my left arm. “Don’t shoot till you can see what you are firing at!” I cried. “Press on to the canoes, else are we like to find ourselves in a trap!” But for the fact that we were among the bushes, all of us might have been shot down. Even as it was we found it exceeding difficult to get out of the scrape, for the savages pressed us hard, but without showing themselves, and it seemed as if their numbers were increasing each instant.