Beverley's gun snapped, the flint failing to make fire; but Oncle Jazon bored a little hole through the head of the Indian nearest him; and then the final rush was made from every direction.
A struggle ensued, which for desperate energy has probably never been surpassed.

Like three lions at bay, the white men met the shock, and lion-like they fought in the midst of seventeen stalwart and determined savages.
"Don't kill them, take them alive; throw them down and hold them!" was Long-Hair's order loudly shouted in the tongue of his tribe.
Both Kenton and Jazon understood every word and knew the significance of such a command from the leader.

It naturally came into Kenton's mind that Hamilton had been informed of his visit to Vincennes and had offered a reward for his capture.

This being true, death as a spy would be the certain result if he were taken back.

He might as well die now.
As for Beverley, he thought only of Alice, yonder as he had left her, a prisoner in Hamilton's hands, Oncle Jazon, if he thought at all, probably considered nothing but present escape, though he prayed audibly to the Blessed Virgin, even while he lay helpless upon the ground, pinned down by the weight of an enormous Indian.