THE BATTLE ON THE SHORE What followed was long a famous story on the border, and I have even read it written out most carefully in books purporting to tell the history of those troublous times.

None of them have it as I recall the details of the incident, although it all occurred so rapidly that I myself can hardly tell just how 't was done.
I know that I scrambled again to my knees, resting half in the water, my purpose being to fling myself into the river in an effort to regain the boat.

But it was already out of sight in the dense gloom, while not the slightest sound reached me for guidance.

Beyond this, I had no time for much save action.

Above me, upon the high bank not three yards away, I saw several Indian forms peering over; and then others, three or four, I am uncertain which, sprang lightly down within a yard of where I crouched in waiting.
My father gave me a frontier maxim once, which ran, "If you must fight, strike first, and strike hard." The words flashed in my memory, and I put them to the test straightway.