Desiring Lieutenant Philips to remain in the rear, he himself advanced through a mountain pass, at the farther extremity of which a party of Indians were encamped. He took them by surprise, and after a short but desperate skirmish they fled before him. Determined to drive them farther off, he pursued them, when suddenly with a loud war-whoop they turned upon him, and from the surrounding forest Indians came pouring down on him and his company. Philips hurried to the rescue; but the little force was overwhelmed by numbers, and eight officers, beside a hundred Rangers, lay dead in the snow.
The young lieutenants Pringle and Roche fought beside Roger.
“There is nothing left but for you to escape into the mountains,” he said at last. “Make your way through the forest to Fort Edward. Do you see there to the left a narrow pass? Escape whilst you can; in five minutes it will be too late. I am responsible for your lives.”
“Where you go, we go,” said Pringle.
They were crouching with some twenty men behind a clump of trees firing upon the savages, but their ammunition was running short. Philips in his turn was being overwhelmed. From every part of the forest the redskins came pouring down.
“It is of no use; we must run for it,” said Roger. “Load once more, and when I say ‘fire’ give it them all together; then up the pass and into the mountains: it is our only chance.”
He was obeyed. They poured a volley of shot into the ranks of the savages, who fell back for a second; and before they had recovered themselves or the smoke had cleared away, Roger and a score of his companions were in full flight. To keep together was impossible; the Indians harassed them on every side. They scaled mountains, forded streams, and at last, by nightfall, Roger, with a handful of followers, had out-distanced his pursuers and lay hidden in a cave; but, to his distress, Pringle, Roche, and his own faithful servant, William Smith, were missing.
They had no food, and lay all night on the bare ground. When day dawned they crept out, only to find traces of the enemy all around. Still it was impossible to remain in the cave.
“Listen,” said Roger, “there is only one way of escape. Once, as you all know, when a mere lad I scaled yonder mountain. On the opposite side there is a precipice; it is perpendicular, and the chances are ten to one of breaking your neck in the descent. I prefer that to being tomahawked. I advise no one to follow me. The Indians, who are on the watch, will be sure to see me, and that will make a diversion in your favour. If I succeed, once on the other side, I shall have little difficulty in reaching Fort Edward. My presence amongst you rather adds to than takes from the danger of your position. They know I am here, and Roger’s scalp is, it seems, worth having. We will go forth together, and make a run for it, till we come to the foot of Roger’s Mountain; then I will turn off and begin the ascent. The Indians are sure to follow me. Let them. I think I know a dodge or two to keep them at bay. You, in the meantime, take to the woods. If you get well in and across to the other side you may escape, but as long as I am with you your chances are small; they are after me, and will not lose my track. Are you all agreed?”
They answered in the affirmative. Two or three were for accompanying Roger, but he dissuaded them.