I never dreamed, in that moment of intense action, that Burns was not also coming,--that he had deliberately sacrificed himself in order to hold back the savages and give us the better chance for life.
Behind arose the sound of struggle, but there was no indication of pursuit, and as I rounded the end of the stockade the lower gate swung open just before me and I glanced back, half pausing as I realized the old borderer had not followed us; then some one tripped me, and I fell headlong.

With a sudden rush, De Croix swept by.
"France wins, Monsieur!" he cried back in mocking triumph, as I staggered to my knees..