Muir at a moment like this."

"Why no look? plenty loophole, made purpose."

Mabel took the hint, and, going to one of the downward loops, that had
been cut through the logs in the part that overhung the basement, she
cautiously raised the little block that ordinarily filled the small
hole, and caught a glance at what was passing at the door. The start and
changing countenance told her companion that some of her own people were
below.

"Red man," said June, lifting a finger in admonition to be prudent.

"Four; and horrible in their paint and bloody trophies. Arrowhead is
among them."

June had moved to a corner, where several spare rifles had been
deposited, and had already taken one into her hand, when the name of
her husband appeared to arrest her movements. It was but for an instant,
however, for she immediately went to the loop, and was about to thrust
the muzzle of the piece through it, when a feeling of natural aversion
induced Mabel to seize her arm.

"No, no, no, June!" said the latter; "not against your own husband,
though my life be the penalty."

"No hurt Arrowhead," returned June, with a slight shudder, "no hurt red
man at all. No fire at 'em; only scare."

Mabel now comprehended the intention of June, and no longer opposed it.
The latter thrust the muzzle of the rifle through the loophole; and,
taking care to make noise enough to attract attraction, she pulled the
trigger. The piece had no sooner been discharged than Mabel reproached
her friend for the very act that was intended to serve her.

"You declared it was not your intention to fire," she said, "and you may
have destroyed your own husband."

"All run away before I fire," returned June, laughing, and going to
another loop to watch the movements of her friends, laughing still
heartier. "See! get cover--every warrior. Think Saltwater and
Quartermaster here. Take good care now."

"Heaven be praised! And now, June, I may hope for a little time to
compose my thoughts to prayer, that I may not die like Jennie, thinking
only of life and the things of the world."

June laid aside the rifle, and came and seated herself near the box on
which Mabel had sunk, under that physical reaction which accompanies joy
as well as sorrow. She looked steadily in our heroine's face, and
the latter thought that her countenance had an expression of severity
mingled with its concern.

"Arrowhead great warrior," said the Tuscarora's wife. "All the girls of
tribe