But the three were as patient as they, and while a full hour passed after the slip of the stone before the slightest sound came from the slope, they did not relax their vigilance a particle.

Then all three heard a slight rustle among the bushes and they peered cautiously over.
They were able to discern the dim outline of figures among the bushes about twenty feet below, and Wilier, who directed the defense, whispered that Tayoga and he would take aim, while Robert held his fire in reserve.

Then the Onondaga and he picked their targets in the darkness and pulled trigger.

Shouts, the fall of bodies and the crackling of rifles came back.

A half dozen bullets, fired almost at random, whistled over their heads and then Robert sent his own lead at a shadow which appeared very clearly among the bushes, a crashing fall following at once.
Then the three, not waiting to reload, snatched out their pistols and held themselves ready for a further attack, if it should come.