"You're right," said Adam Colfax, flinging away his last fear. "Take two
hundred of our best men, and may God go with you!"

In five minutes the two hundred were on their way with Major
Braithwaite, the five, Boone, and Kenton at their head. It was their
object to curve about in the woods and then fall suddenly upon the
Indian flank, relying upon weight and surprise. They trod lightly and
soon passed beyond the area of smoke. Behind them the firing was renewed
with great violence and energy. Adam Colfax was pressing the attack
afresh. "Good!" Henry heard Major Braithwaite murmur. "They won't
suspect that we are coming."

Fifteen minutes of marching, and they were at another segment in the
circle of the prairie. The crackle of the firing was now further away,
but when they came to the edge of the open they saw the flash of the
rifles and heard again the repeated whoops of the Indians.

"Now!" exclaimed Daniel Boone. "This is their exposed side, and we must
rush upon them!"

"Come!" exclaimed Major Braithwaite, raising his cocked hat upon the
point of his sword and running into the open prairie. The two hundred
and fifty followed him with a wild shout, and they hurled themselves
upon the Indian flank. At the same time Adam Colfax and his whole force
rushed forward anew.

The two divisions closed down like the clamps of a vise. The charge of
the flanking force was made with such immense courage and vigor that
nothing could withstand it. Major Braithwaite continually shouted and
continually waved his sword. The cocked hat fell off, and was trampled
out of shape by the men behind him, but he did not know it, and he never
regretted it. Henry was conscious, in that wild rush, of the friendly
faces about him, and of the red horde before him, but he felt little
else, save an immense desire to strike quickly and hard.

The red men fight best from ambush and by means of craft and surprise.
Struck so suddenly and with such energy on the flank, they gave way.
Superstition increased their fears. The face of Manitou was turned from
them, and many of them ran for the forest.

Timmendiquas raged back and forth. Now and then he struck fleeing
warriors with the flat of his tomahawk and shouted to them to stay, but
all of his efforts were without avail. The jaws of the vise were coming
closer and closer together. The renegades, considering the battle lost,
were already seeking the refuge of the woods. Yet Timmendiquas would not
g