All this while the furious struggle continued within the house.
In scenes like these, events thicken in less time than they can
be related. From the moment when the first fall was heard within
the building to that when the Delaware ceased his awkward attempts
to row, it might have been three or four minutes, but it had evidently
served to weaken the combatants. The oaths and execrations of
Hurry were no longer heard, and even the struggles had lost some
of their force and fury. Nevertheless they still continued with
unabated perseverance. At this instant the door flew open, and
the fight was transferred to the platform, the light and the open
air. A Huron had undone the fastenings of the door, and three or
four of his tribe rushed after him upon the narrow space, as if glad
to escape from some terrible scene within. The body of another
followed, pitched headlong through the door with terrific violence.
Then March appeared, raging like a lion at bay, and for an instant
freed from his numerous enemies. Hutter was already a captive and
bound. There was now a pause in the struggle, which resembled a
lull in a tempest. The necessity of breathing was common to all,
and the combatants stood watching each other, like mastiffs that
have been driven from their holds, and are waiting for a favorable
opportunity of renewing them.
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