the door, while a shower of bullets and arrows rattled against
them.

"Take a musket, Father. Now, fire together! Quick, the others! Can you
load these, Mademoiselle?"

"Yes." She reached for them, and poured the powder down the barrels.

"Not too much, Mademoiselle. We may run short."

"Yes, M'sieu."

To miss a mark in that solid mob would have been difficult. The first
four shots brought down three men, and sent another limping away with
a bleeding foot.

"Keep it up, Father! Don't wait an instant. Fast, Mademoiselle, fast!
Ah, there's one more. See, they are falling back. Take the other wall,
Father. See that they do not come from the rear."

The priest ran about the hut, peering through the chinks.

"I see nothing," he called.

"You had better stay there, then. Keep a close watch."

The maid laid two loaded muskets at the Captain's side.

"Can we hold them off, M'sieu?"

His eye was pressed to an opening, and he did not turn.

"I fear not, Mademoiselle. A few minutes more may settle it. But we
can give them a fight."

"If they come again, will you let me shoot, M'sieu?"

He turned in surprise, and looked at her slight figure.

"You, Mademoiselle?"

"Yes; I can help. I have shot before."

He laughed, with the excitement of the moment, and nodded. Then they
were silent. She knelt by his side and looked through another opening.
The women and children had retreated well up the path. The warriors
were crowded together, just out of range, talking and shouting
excitedly. A moment later a number of these slipped to the rear and
ran off between the huts.

"What does that mean, M'sieu? Will they come around behind?"

"Yes. Watch out, Father. You will hear from them soon."

"Very well, M'sieu. It will be hard. There are trees and bushes here
for cover."

Menard shrugged his shoulders, and made no reply. Time was all he
wished.

"If the Big Throat started with the first light, he should be here
before another hour," he said to the maid, who was watching the
Indians.

"Yes," she replied.

"Is there any corn in the basket, Mademoiselle?"

"I think so. I had forgotten."

"We shall need it. Wait; I will look."

He got the basket, and brought it to her.

"There is no time for cooking, but you had better eat what you can.
And keep a close watch."

"Here, M'sieu." She spread her skirt, and he poured out half of the
corn.

"You give me too much. You must not."

He laughed, and crossed to th