The strength of the mid-current was too violent to be withstood, and the boats were obliged to ascend along the river banks.
These banks were often high and perpendicular, affording the savages frequent stations, from whence, safe themselves, and almost unseen, they might shower down their missiles upon the boats below, and retreat at will, without danger from pursuit.

Nothing apparently remained, therefore, but to fight or turn back.

The Sioux far outnumbered them, it is true, but their own party was about sixty strong, well armed and supplied with ammunition; and, beside their guns and rifles, they had a swivel and two howitzers mounted in the boats.

Should they succeed in breaking this Indian force by one vigorous assault, it was likely they would be deterred from making any future attack of consequence.

The fighting alternative was, therefore, instantly adopted, and the boats pulled to shore nearly opposite to the hostile force.