In an instant the scene was changed. As if moved by some
mechanical impulse, the fierce band that lined the
bomb-proof sank below the surface, and were no longer
visible, while the warriors in the forest again sought
shelter behind the trees. The captured soldiers were also
liberated without injury, so sudden and startling had
been the terror produced in the savages by the lightning
flash that announced its heavy messengers of destruction.
Discharge after discharge succeeded without intermission;
but the guns had been levelled so high, to prevent injury
to their own men, they had little other effect than to
keep the Indians from the attack. The rush of bullets
through the close forest, and the crashing of trees and
branches as they fell with startling force upon each
other, were, with the peals of artillery, the only noises
now to be heard; for not a yell, not a word was uttered
by the Indians after the first discharge; and but for
the certainty that existed in every mind, it might have
been supposed the whole of them had retired.

"Now is your time," cried Captain Erskine; "bring in the
litter to the rear, and stoop as much as possible to
avoid the shot."

The poor half-strangled fellows, however, instead of
obeying the order of their captain, looked round in every
direction for the enemy by whom they had been so rudely
handled, and who had glided from them almost as
imperceptibly and swiftly as they had first approached.