All of the bullets flew wide, and Daganoweda's band took to cover at
once, waiting at least five minutes before they obtained a single shot
at a brown body. Then all the usual incidents of a forest struggle
followed, the slow creeping, the occasional shot, a shout of triumph or
the death yell, but the Hurons and Caughnawagas, who were about a dozen
in number, were routed and took to flight in the woods, leaving three of
their number fallen. Two of the Mohawks were wounded but not severely.
Tayoga, who was examining the trail, suddenly raised his head and said:
"Tandakora has been here. There is none other who wears so large a
moccasin. Here go his footsteps! and here! and here!"
"Doubtless they thought we were near, and were arranging with the other
band to trap us," said Willet. "Daganoweda, it seems that you and your
Mohawks came just in time. Are the smoke rings from the second fire
still rising? We were too far away for them to hear our rifles."
"Only one or two rings go up now," replied Tayoga.
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