"They won't let the opportunity escape.

Back a little, lads! This place is becoming too much exposed." They withdrew into deeper shelter, but they still fired as fast, as they could reload and pull the trigger.

Their bullets, although they rarely missed, seemed to make no impression on the red horde, which always pressed closer, and there was a deadly ring of fire around the rangers, made by hundreds of rifles and muskets.
Robert and Tayoga were still without wounds.

Leaves and twigs rained around them, and they heard often the song of the bullets, they saw many of the rangers fall, but happy fortune kept their own bodies untouched.

Robert knew that the battle was a losing one, but he was resolved to hold his place with his comrades.