"Now we'll see something," he whispered to Henry, and what the cautious
leader said was quick to come true.
The fire of both sides died for a moment, and then came a heavy crash and
a jet of fire from the river; there was a long, shrill scream as a missile
curved high over the white line and dropped in the red, where it burst,
flinging red-hot pieces of steel in a shower. It was followed instantly by
another report, another jet of fire, and another shower of metal in the
bushes. The brass twelve-pounders on the boat had opened fire, and with
shot after shot they were searching the dark thickets, whence cries of
rage now came.
The Americans sent up shouts of triumph and redoubled their rifle fire.
Many of the more zealous were eager to creep to the thickets and turn the
defensive into the offensive, but the leaders restrained them.
"No use to waste life in any such foolish fashion," said shrewd Adam
Colfax. "While we stay under the cannon they won't rush us, but if we
follow them into the bushes they'll have an overwhelming advantage."
It began to lighten a little, but the wind blew stronger and very cold for
the time of the year. The red line was withdrawn further into the forest,
but it continued an intermittent fire, and now and then uttered a
challenging war whoop.
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