nine
o'clock
Scarcely had reinforcements attained the summit before the torrent of savagery burst screeching on their front . From point to point the grim struggle raged , till nightfall wrought partial cessation . The wearied troopers stretched out their lines so as to protect the packs and the field hospital , threw themselves on the ground , digging rifle-pits with knives and tin pans . Not until nine o'clock did the Indian fire slacken , and then the village became a scene of savage revel , the wild yelling plainly audible to the soldiers above . Through the black night Brant stepped carefully across the recumbent forms of his men , and made his way to the field hospital . In the glare of the single fire the red sear of a bullet showed clearly across his forehead , but he wiped away the slowly trickling blood , and bent over a form extended on a blanket . `` Has he roused up ? ''