over, they were more careful in exposing themselves.
Several stole around to the front of the house, but George had
anticipated them, and there being no means of concealing their
appearance, they were easily kept at a distance. Rosalind followed and
assisted him as far as lay in her power, while Zeb was left alone in his
delight and glory.

"Be careful," said Leland; "don't come too near. Just have the powder
and wadding ready and hand it to me when I need it."

"I will," she replied, in a calm, unexcited voice, as she reached him
his rod.

"Just see what Zeb is at, while I watch my chance."

She disappeared, and in a moment returned.

"He seems frantic with delight, and is yet unharmed."

"God preserve him," said George, "for his assistance is needed."

"Be careful," said Rosalind, as George approached the window.

"I shall--whew! that's a close rub!" he muttered, as a bullet pierced
his cap. "There, _you're_ past harm," he added, as he discharged his
gun.

Thus the contest was kept up for over an hour. But few shots were
interchanged on either side, each party becoming more careful in their
action. Young Leland remained at his window, and kept a close watch upon
his field; but no human being was seen. Zeb laughed, ducked his head,
and made numerous threats toward his enemies, but seemed to attract no
notice from them.

Now and then Rosalind spoke a word to her brother, but the suspense
which the silence of their enemies had put them in, sealed their lips,
and, for a long while, the silence was unbroken by either. They were
startled at length by the report of Zeb's rifle, and the next minute he
appeared among them, exclaiming:

"Gorra mighty! I shot out my ramrod. I seen a good chance, and blazed
away 'fore I thought to take it out. It went through six of 'em, and
stuck into a tree and hung 'em fast. Heigh! it's fun to see 'em."

"Here, take mine, and for God's sake, cease your jesting!" said Leland,
handing his rod to him.

"Wish I could string some more up," added Zeb, as he rammed home his
charge. "Yer oughter seen it, Miss Rosa. It went right frough de fust
feller's eye, and den frough de oder one's foot, den frough de oder's
gizzard, and half way frough de tree. Gorra, how dey wriggled! Looked
just like a lot of mackerel hung up to dry. Heigh!"

At this point Leland discharged his gun, and said, without changing his
position:

"They are trying to approach the house. Go, Zeb, and attend to your