were more than two to one, what Rogers had most to dread was a movement to outflank him and get into his rear.  This they tried twice, and were twice repulsed by a party held in reserve for the purpose.  The fight lasted several hours, during which there was much talk between the combatants.  The French called out that it was a pity so many brave men should be lost, that large reinforcements were expected every moment, and that the rangers would then be cut to pieces without mercy; whereas if they surrendered at once they should be treated with the utmost kindness.  They called to Rogers by name, and expressed great esteem for him.  Neither threats nor promises had any effect, and the firing went on till darkness stopped it.  Towards evening Rogers was shot through the wrist; and one of the men, John Shute, used to tell in his old age how he saw another ranger trying to bind the captain’s wound with the ribbon of his own queue.

As Ticonderoga was but three miles off, it was destruction to stay where they were; and they withdrew under cover of night, reduced to forty-eight effective and six wounded men.  Fourteen had been killed, and six captured.  Those that were left reached Lake George in the morning, and Stark, with two followers, pushed on in advance to bring a sledge for the wounded.  The rest made their way to the Narrows, where they encamped, and presently descried a small dark object on the ice far behind them.  It proved to be one of their own number, Sergeant Joshua Martin, who had received a severe wound in the fight, and was left for dead; but by desperate efforts had followed on their tracks, and was now brought to camp in a state of exhaustion.  He recovered, and lived to an advanced age.  The sledge sent by Stark came in the morning, and the whole party soon reached the fort.  Abercromby, on hearing of the affair, sent them a letter of thanks for gallant conduct.

Rogers reckons the number of his assailants at about two hundred and fifty in all.  Vaudreuil says that they consisted of eighty-nine regulars and ninety Canadians and Indians.  With his usual boastful exaggeration, he declares that forty English were left dead on the field, and that only three reached Fort William Henry alive.  He says that the fight was extremely hot and obstinate, and admits that the French lost thirty-seven killed and wounded.  Rogers makes the number much greater.  That it was considerable is certain, as Lusignan, commandant at Ticonderoga, wrote immediately for reinforcements.[469]

[Footnote 469:  Rogers, Journals, 38-44.  Caleb Stark, Memoir and Correspondence of John Stark, 18, 412. Return of Killed, Wounded, and Missing in the Action near Ticonderoga, Jan. 1757; all the names are here given.  James Abercromby, aide-de-camp to his uncle, General Abercromby, wrote to Rogers from Albany:  “You cannot imagine how all ranks of people here are pleased with your conduct and your men’s behavior.”