They had inflicted a heavy blow, but had altogether failed in obtaining the complete success they looked for.

The obstinate defence of Whiting and his men had surprised and dispirited them, and Dieskau, when he collected his men, found the Indians sullen and unmanageable, and the Canadians unwilling to advance further, for they were greatly depressed by the loss of a veteran officer, Saint Pierre, who commanded them, and who had been killed in the fight.

At length, however, he persuaded all to move forward, the regulars leading the way.
James Walsham had not accompanied the column, and was sitting at breakfast with General Johnson, on the stump of a tree in front of his tent, when, on the still air, a rattling sound broke out.
"Musketry!" was the general exclamation.
An instantaneous change came over the camp.

The sound of laughing and talking was hushed, and every man stopped at his work.

Louder and louder swelled the distant sound, until the shots could no longer be distinguished apart.