"Both of our men are down. You did well, Ben. It's a good deal easier to shoot a partridge than it is to shoot a man who is running at you with a gun in his hand."
The French fell back and waited for the regulars, and we started on again.
We reached a long ridge, and crossing to the further side of it, halted.
They came close to us, and McKinstry and I again chose our men. The Rangers poured a hot fire into them. We could not see till the smoke lifted.
"Your man is down, Ben; and I can see my man running away, but he limps."
"His toes may be frost-bitten, Mac."
"They weren't five minutes ago."
Our last fire completely routed the French, and they gave up the pursuit.
Two Rangers were killed; one of them was next to me as he fell. The regular who went with us was shot, and an Indian was wounded.
Of the enemy, some thirty were killed. We had the advantage in position, being sheltered by the ridge.