"Our four good riflemen have made them think that a great force is there, and they have not dared to cross the creek themselves and make an attack." In a few minutes more, as they ran noiselessly through the forest, they saw a little drifting smoke, and now and then the faint flash of rifles.
They were coming somewhere near to the Iroquois band, and they practiced exceeding caution.

Presently they caught sight of Indian faces, and now and then one of Johnson's Greens or Butler's Rangers.

They stopped and held a council that lasted scarcely more than half a minute.

They all agreed there was but one thing to do, and that was to attack in the Indian's own way-that is, by ambush and sharpshooting.
Henry fired the first shot, and an Iroquois, aiming at a foe on the other side of the creek, fell.

Heemskerk quickly followed with a shot as good, and the surprised Iroquois turned to face this new foe.