The night was bitter cold.

The trappers could not light any fire, for it would surely guide the Indians to their retreat, and present them as fair targets to the bullets of the savages.
Disappointed as these bold men were, they had the consolation of feeling that the wound of their leader had not passed unavenged.

They were sure that several of the Indians had been killed and many wounded.

Though they did not doubt that the Indians would still fight desperately in defence, they did not fear that they would venture to pursue and to attack the trappers where they could choose their own ground.

The trappers therefore, bearing as tenderly as possible their wounded leader, commenced their return to the camp which they reached in safety.