They saw that the trappers were effectually protected by their breastworks, and that the fort could by no possibility be taken without enormous slaughter on their own side.

Indeed it was doubtful whether, armed as the white men were, with rifles, revolvers and knives, the fort could be taken at any expense.
In their impotent rage a few random shots were fired at the fort, but the bullets did not reach their mark.

The trappers threw away no lead.

They quietly awaited the attack, and were so confident of their ability to defeat the Indians, that they were disappointed when they saw the reconnoitring party commencing to retire.

They shouted to them in terms of derision, hoping to exasperate them into an attack.