Scarce ten minutes did it last, and but for the obscuring smoke five would have finished it.

This was in favour of the assailed, enabling them to act with advantage against the assailants.

Such a quick, wholesale slaughter did the white men make with their revolvers that the savages, surprised and staggered by it, for a moment recoiled, and appeared as if again going to retreat.
They did not--they dared not.

Their superior numbers--the shame of being defeated by such a handful of foes--the glory of conquest--and, added to it, an angry vengeance now hot in their hearts--all urged them on; and the attack was renewed with greater earnestness than ever.
Throughout every scene in the strife Frank Hamersley had comported himself with a courage that made his men feel less fear of death, and less regret to die by his side.

Fighting like a lion, he had been here, and there, and everywhere.