The enemy still had the advantage of numbers,



$0S THR UNKNOWN.
although the first discharge was fearfiilly de^
structire, from the circumstance of their having
stood grouped around the fire, but the steep descent
of the ridge, to the very brink of the seemingly

fkthomless water's edge, gave the attacking party
decidedly the advantage.
But afler their first panic had subsided the ad«
verse party fought with that species of cool despe^
ration which men assume, when they see all lost,

and determine to sell their lives as dearly as possible.
One fierce rush they made to regain the bank, and
the struggle was for a moment doubtful. The two
parties were then about equal in numbers ; and one
fought with the confidence of victory, the other
with the madness of* despair. The conflict was
short, silent and decisive ; nothing was heard but
the deep breathing of the combatants and the groans
of the dying, as they sunk from the bloody weap-
on to rise no more. In this trial of strength the
party of Pkcaret was reduced to himself, M. de



OR LAYS 'OF THE FOUEST. ^&^

Lauzon mnd three savages, and the Frencbman had
feeetved raore than one dark £>rin upon the point of
his sword as they s^ruog on him with the upli^&ed
tomahawk, ready to give the fatal blow.
Oaly two of the enemy iiow remained —'-the chief
and his son. With the agility of a young tiger
the boy sprung within the point of M de Lauzon's
sword, and, but for his sword-belt the French-
man had felt the stripling's knife within his vitals ;
but before the blow could be repeated the strength
of the man triumphed, and the young savage lay
disarmed, the prisoner of a hated pale-face.
