It would be suicidal.

And if Dupont and his Indians were close at hand, Miss McDonald would be with them.

He had had no time in which to reason this out before, but now the swift realization of the close proximity of the girl came to him like an electric shock.

Whatever the immediate danger he must thaw out Carroll, and thus be free himself.
He could look back to where the weary horses huddled beneath the bank, grouped about the man so helplessly swaddled in blankets on the ground.
They were dim, pitiable objects, barely discernible through the flying scud, yet Hamlin was quick to perceive the advantage of their position--the overhanging bluff was complete protection from any attack except along the open bank of the river.

Two armed men could defend the spot against odds.