Tayoga lay, still wholly unconscious, and the sounds of firing to the eastward were increasing.

A battle had begun there.

Perhaps the full forces of both sides were now in conflict.
The combat called to Robert, he knew that he might bear a great part in it, but he never hesitated.

Such a thought as deserting his stricken comrade could not enter his mind.

He listened a moment longer to the sounds of the conflict now growing more fierce, and then, fastening Tayoga's rifle on his back with his own, he lifted his wounded comrade in his arms and walked westward, away from the battle..