our first blow
the better chance we have to win."

Every one of the five concentrated all his faculties upon his target. He
saw or thought of nothing but the painted chest or face upon which he
directed his aim.

"Ready," said Henry.

Five gunlocks clicked.

"Fire!"

Five triggers were pulled, and five streams of flame darted from the
bushes. Never had the five aimed bullets to better purpose, since their
targets, broad and close, lay before them. Five warriors flung up their
arms, and uttering the death howl, fell. A tremendous yell of surprise
and rage arose from the Indians, and they crowded back upon one another,
appalled, for the moment, by the sudden and deadly messengers of death.

"Now, Jim, now!" exclaimed Henry. "Yell as if you were a thousand men.
Run up and down in the bushes that your yells may come from point to
point! Shout, man, shout!"

Long Jim needed no command. His tremendous battle cry burst out, as he
rushed back and forth in the thickets. It was some such shout as the old
Vikings must have uttered, and it pealed out like the regular beat of a
big drum. It expressed challenge and defiance, victory and revenge, and,
to the ears of the red hearers on the other shores, the thickets seemed
fairly to swarm with fighting men. The four added their efforts to
those of Long Jim, but their cries formed merely a chorus, above which
swelled the thundering note of the forest Stentor.

The cords in Long Jim's throat swelled, his cheeks bulged, his eyes
stood out, but his voice never broke. Without failing for an instant, it
poured forth its mighty stream of challenge and invective, and the
others, as they reloaded in all haste, looked at him with pride. It was
their own Long Jim, he of the long legs and long throat, who had made
many a great effort before, but none like this.

The warriors had recoiled still further. Both Yellow Panther and Red
Eagle drew back in the ruck. The singing of the warriors ceased, and,
with it, ceased the creaking wheels of the cannon and ammunition wagons.
Henry saw Alloway and his officers stop, and he looked once more at the
colonel, but it was too far for certainty, and they must not send
forward any shots that missed. In front of the recoiling army lay five
dark figures on the green, and they must continue with the deadliness of
their fire to create the impression of great numbers.

"Now boys!" exclaimed Henry. "Again! Steady and true!"

Five rifles cracked togethe