missiles tore through the wooden walls in every
direction, and the man who lifted head or arm above the parapet did it
at risk of life or limb. Poor Sweeny's glass came clattering down from
aloft, and he, poor follow, striving feebly to reach his friends and
partial shelter, tumbled in a heap at the foot of the ladder, his
life-blood welling from his gallant heart. Then--then other smoke,
pungent pinewood smoke, came sifting through knotholes and seams, with
ominous sounds of crackling and snapping from the side of the long
porch. Then, coughing and strangling, the two men who had ventured below
forced their way once more through the hole in the floor, a volume of
thick smoke rushing up as they were dragged into the room. Then shrill
yells of triumph and rejoicing rose on every side without, and then,
within, the piteous, hopeless wailing of helpless women and children.

But the end was not yet. Even in their extremity Ray and some of his old
hands had noted how nervously the warriors seemed to be watching the
slopes to the northeast. There was a long, low wave of prairie that
closed the view in that direction to all on the ground floor, and it was
madness to go sight-seeing to the loft. If they could only hold out ten,
fifteen minutes it might mean life to all, save the two or three already
slain. "Grab those buckets, you, and you, and you!" shouted Ray, picking
out his men. "Stick to the east front, Scott! Stand 'em off just three
minutes! Dip a dozen blankets in the tub--at least you can do _that_,
damn you!" This to a cowering wretch whom even the sight of the women,
weeping yet working like heroes, had not yet shamed. The fire had been
safely, scientifically started in half-a-dozen places under the porch,
and already, probably, was eating its way through every crevice. Water
could not reach it, but wet blankets, spread above, would hold it for a
while, and others stuffed in the open spaces at the foundation wall
would choke it below. Ripped from the floor came plank after plank, and
down into the smoke dived both women and men, dripping blankets in tow,
while, with revolver in one hand and filled bucket in the other, Ray
mustered a squad at the east door ready for their desperate rush.
"Through the thick black breath" that billowed up from below the young
leader's voice reached every ear, and even children seemed to still
their cries and listen. "Now, blaze away as we rush out. Aim over us as
we spread these things.