gers whom they now held in a trap.

Robert had never before seen them attack with so much disregard of wounds,
and death. Usually the Indian was a wary fighter, always preferring ambush,
and securing every possible advantage for himself, but now they rushed
boldly across open spaces, seeking new and nearer coverts. Many fell before
the bullets of the rangers but the swarms came on, with undiminished zeal,
always pushing the battle, and keeping up a fire so heavy that, despite the
bullets that went wild, the rangers steadily diminished in numbers.

"It's a powerful attack," said Robert.

"It's because they feel so sure of victory," said Tayoga, "and it's because
they know it's the Mountain Wolf and his men whom they have surrounded.
They would rather destroy a hundred rangers than three hundred troops."

"That's so," said Willet, who overheard them in all the crash of the
battle. "They won't let the opportunity escape. Back a little, lads! This
place is becoming too much exposed."

They withdrew into deeper shelter, but they still fired as fast, as they
could reload and pull the trigger. Their bullets, although they rarely
missed, seemed to make no impression on the red horde, which always pressed
closer, and there was a deadly ring of fire around the rangers, made by
hundreds of rifles and muskets.

Robert and Tayoga were still without wounds. Leaves and twigs rained around
them, and they heard often the song of the bullets, they saw many of the
rangers fall, but happy fortune kept their own bodies untouched. Robert
knew that the battle was a losing one, but he was resolved to hold his
place with his comrades. Rogers, who had been fighting with undaunted valor
and desperation, marshaling his men in vain against numbers greatly
superior, made his way once more to the side of Willet and crouched with
him in the bushes.

"Dave, my friend," he said, "the battle goes against us."

"So it does," replied the hunter, "but it is no fault of yours or your men.
St. Luc, the best of all the French leaders, has forced us into a trap.
There is nothing left for us to do now but burst the trap."

"I hate to yield the field."

"But it must be done. It's better to lose a part of the rangers than to
lose all. You've had many a narrow escape before. Men will come to your
standard and you'll have a new band bigger than ever."

The dark face of the ranger captain brightened a little. But he looked
sadly upon his fallen men. He was