As usual with him in moments of success or triumph his spirits flamed high, and his occasional shout of defiance rose above the others.
"In another hour," said Tayoga, "we must retreat." "Why ?" asked Robert.

"When we're holding 'em so well ?" "By day they will be able to discover how few we are, and then, although they may not be able to force our front, they will surely spread out and pass around our flanks.

I do not see the Great Bear now, but I know he thinks so, too, and it will not be long before we hear from him." Within five minutes Willet, who was about a hundred yards away, uttered a low whistle, which drew to him Robert, Tayoga and others, and then he passed the word by them to the whole line to withdraw swiftly, but in absolute silence, knowing that the longer Tandakora and De Courcelles thought the defenders were in their immediate front the better it was for their purpose.

Seven of the thirty were wounded, but not one of them was put out of the combat.

Their hurts merely stung them to renewed energy, and lighted higher in them the fire of battle.
Under the firm leadership of Willet they retreated as a group, wholly without noise, vanishing in the thickets, and following fast on the tracks left by the wagons.