At the suggestion of Willet, Colden selected thirty sharpshooters of his own and sent them among the stumps to meet the French and Canadian riflemen.
Robert and Tayoga were in this band, and Willet himself led it.
Daganoweda and three of his warriors who were good shots also went along.

Black Rifle was already outside on one of his usual solitary but fierce man-hunts.

All the men as soon as they left the breastworks lay almost flat on the wet ground, and crept forward with the utmost care.

It was a service of extreme danger, none could be more so, and it was certain that not all of them would come back..