CHAPTER XXI

THE DEFENSE OF THE FIVE

Henry Ware was the first on land, Shif’less Sol came just behind him, and then the other three.  The boat from which they had leaped, and which now contained but two oarsmen, swung back a little into the stream, and in a moment the darkness, closing down, shut it from view.  They stood in a patch of undergrowth and the battle still flamed around them on the bayou, on the river, and in the woods.  It was now fiercest in the forest, which crackled with the rifle shots and the sound of singing bullets.  Innumerable jets of flame sparkled here and there, and then went out, to be succeeded instantly by others.

Many of the Indian canoes had been sunk by the explosion or the sweep of the supply fleet, but it was easy for their occupants, if not seriously wounded, to escape to the land, and they greatly increased the savage swarm in the woods, chiefly on the north bank of the bayou.  Henry and his friends could hear their warning cries to one another, even their tread, and they realized that their own skirmishers in the woods would be pressed hard.  Only a determined effort could hold back the horde long enough for the men to reach the fleet.

While they stood there, seeking the best thing to do, two skirmishers dashed up, breathless, both slightly wounded, and exclaiming that they were pursued by a formidable force.

“Jump into the water!” cried Henry.  “The boats are only a few yards away!  We’ll hold back the savages!”

There were two plunks, as the skirmishers sprang into the Mississippi, sinking a moment from sight, and then, as they reappeared, swimming swiftly for the boats.  Behind them came their pursuers in a swarm, but they were driven back by the rifle fire of the little party from Kentucky.  Another skirmisher burst through the bushes, and, helped in the same way, sprang into the Mississippi, swimming for the boats.  Then came a fourth and a fifth and everyone escaped as the others had done.

“It’s well we came,” said Henry.  “This is not the least of our task.  Lie down, boys.”

They stretched themselves on the damp earth, the great, yellow river close behind them, and the forest in front swarming with the savage force.  They had expected other men who had landed to come to their aid, but the parties had become separated in the darkness and confusion of the battle, and they were left alone.  Nevertheless a dauntless heart beat in every breast, and they expected to hold that neck of land, which seemed to be a channel for the pursued, until the last fugitive was safe.

Lying upon their faces, half supported by their elbows, they could load and fire whenever they saw a hostile figure in front of them.  Again and again the pursuit of a skirmisher was driven back by these deadly riflemen.  Now and then a cannon shot fired from their own fleet whistled over their heads and struck in the forest among their foes, but they paid no attention to it.  They were intent upon their own work and every faculty was concentrated for the task.