The rifle flashed in the pan; and the two Indians sprang to their feet with a deep grunt of surprise.

For a second all three stared at one another.

Then Andrew sprang over the rock, striking the big Indian's breast with a shock that bore him to the earth; while at the moment of alighting, he threw his arm round the small Indian's neck, and all three rolled on the ground together.
At this instant they heard sharp firing in the woods above them.

The rest of the whites and Indians had discovered one another at the same time.

A furious but momentary fight ensued; three backwoodsmen and four Indians were killed outright, no other white being hurt, while the single remaining red warrior made his escape, though badly wounded.