More savages joined the three who glided to and fro before their desperate foe.

They closed in upon him, only to be beaten back.

One savage threw a glittering knife, another hurled a stone, a third flung his tomahawk, which struck fire from the swinging rifle.
He held them at bay.

While they had no firearms he was master of the situation.

With every sweep of his arms he brought the long rifle down and knocked a flint from the firelock of an enemy's weapon.
Soon the Indians' guns were useless.