So nearly as could be told, there were less, instead of more, than an hundred savages encamping here to indulge in their fiendish sport, and the thought came to me like a flash of light that there were none of the red demons at Wintermoot’s who would miss seeing such a spectacle as that afforded by two white boys while they were being tortured to death. Therefore might we with good reason expect all that horde of bloodthirsty murderers would arrive before the final moment came. I said to Giles that, if we were to effect anything, the task must be begun quickly, for, although it did not seem within the range of possibility we could overmaster four score or more, surely was all hope gone when that number should be doubled or trebled. “Ay, I am of the same mind, Jonathan, therefore say what shall be done, and we will commence, selling our lives desperately, but making certain to hold the last shots for those poor lads yonder.” I had no more idea than he how we could strike the heaviest blow; but, in turning over the matter in my mind, came the desire to lessen the number of the enemy by as many as might be possible, and therefore did it seem to me as if that might best be done by beginning the work at long range. Acting on my suggestion, rather than commands, Daniel stole softly to the right of me, a distance of perhaps an hundred paces, and Giles as far in the opposite direction, while I remained with my musket resting on the branch of a tree, that there might be no question as to the trueness of aim until one or the other should open fire. With the reports of three muskets coming from so many different points, each at quite a distance from the other, the savages would reasonably suppose they were surrounded by a considerable force, and therefore might be thrown in confusion sufficiently long for us to reload and get in a second volley before any move was made. This would suffice for six of them, unless we were careless in the shooting, and after that had been done Daniel and Giles were to come back to me, when we would do whatsoever was dictated by the movements of the enemy. It was Daniel who fired first, and I saw an Indian, who was standing somewhat apart from the others, as if he was one of the chiefs of the tribe, pitch forward on his face, dead. Then came Giles’s shot, and a brave who was bending over the fire, evidently cooking meat, fell among the embers, getting a taste before he died, I hope, of what he would have inflicted upon our comrades. On the instant I discharged my musket, and the third Mohawk fell, never to rise again. [Illustration: “THE THIRD MOHAWK FELL, NEVER TO RISE AGAIN.”] The Indians stood for a moment as if transfixed with amazement and terror, looking here and there questioningly, and not a movement toward us had been made, when once more Daniel fired.