Allen now found himself with only forty-five men, including the brave young Eben Pike.
They poured in their volleys as fast as they could load and fire.
In order to do more effective work five men were told off to load, and as the men who had run away had thrown down their muskets, there was a good chance to keep the guns cool.
But what could forty-five do against five hundred?
Allen saw that unless he retreated while his rear was open, he would be surrounded and all his men slaughtered, for he knew the command had gone out to butcher all found with arms in their hands.
With great reluctance he gave the order to retreat. The Indians were rapidly gaining in the direction of the rear, and only fleet feet would give the Americans a chance.
Although the Americans could run, they were no match for the Indians, and Allen found himself surrounded.
He had only twenty-eight men left, and yet he would not surrender.
With fixed bayonets the little band waited the onslaught of the British, who were only a few yards away on all sides.
An English captain, mad at the way in which his men had been kept at bay, snatched a musket from the hands of one of his men and fired at Allen.