e priest, saying over his shoulder:--

"Mademoiselle is our new recruit. And the recruit must not complain of
her food. I cannot allow it."

The moments passed with no sign of action along the line of redskins
on the path. They were quieter since the flanking party had started.
To Menard it was evident that a plan had been settled upon. In a like
position, a dozen Frenchmen would have stormed the hut, knowing that
only two or three could fall before they were under the shelter of the
walls; but even a large force of Indians was unwilling to take the
chance.

"Father," called the Captain, "it may be better for you to take the
doorway. Mademoiselle and I will watch the forest."

"Very well, M'sieu."

The exchange was made rapidly.

"Will you look out at the sides, as well?" Menard said to her. "Keep
moving about, and using all the openings. There are too many chances
for approach here."

"If I see one, shall I shoot, M'sieu?"

He smiled. "You had better tell me first."

She stepped briskly about, peering through the chinks with an alert
eye. Menard found it hard to keep his own watch, so eager were his
eyes to watch her. But he turned resolutely toward the woods.

"M'sieu!" she whispered. They had been silent for a long time. "To the
left in the bushes! It looks like a head."

"Can you make sure?"

"Yes. It is a head. May I shoot?"

Menard nodded without looking. She rested her musket in the opening
between two logs, and fired quickly.

"Did you hit him?"

"Yes, I think so."

She was breathless with excitement, but she reloaded at once. A moment
later Menard fired, and then the priest.

"On all sides, eh?" the Captain muttered. He called to the others:
"Waste no powder. Shoot only when you are sure of hitting. They will
fall back again. Two dead Indians will discourage the wildest
charge."

The firing went on at intervals, but still the warriors kept at it,
creeping up from bush to bush and tree to tree. Menard's face grew
more serious as the time went by. He began to realize that the Long
Arrow was desperate, that he was determined on vengeance before the
other chiefs could come. It had been a typical savage thought that had
led him to bring Menard to this village, where he had once lived,
rather than to the one in which the chief held greater permanent
authority; the scheme was too complete and too near its end for delay
or failure to be considered. Still the attacking party drew nearer,
swelle