th his rifle. He fired, but with what result we could not
tell.

"Hand up another," he cried; "quick, quick!" Again he fired, while I
loaded the first. In this way one after the other was discharged and
reloaded, so that Tim was able to fire with a rapidity which must have
astonished the Indians, who had not, apparently, until then discovered
the existence of the window, as he fired eight or ten times before any
arrows were shot in return. Still the savages, with unusual
perseverance, rushed forward, carrying the log in their arms, and drove
it against the door, which creaked and groaned under their repeated
blows. From the sounds which reached us, it appeared too probable that
they would succeed in breaking it in. But even should they do so, we
might still defend ourselves on the staircase; for, as it would allow
only one person to ascend at a time, we should be able to keep the whole
horde at bay. How many Indians had fallen from Tim's fire we could not
ascertain, on account of the uncertain light and the rapid way they were
moving about. He had probably oftener missed than struck an enemy. It
was evident, however, that his fire had at length become too hot for
them, as the blows on the door ceased, and he told us that they had
thrown down the log, and were retreating.

"Hand me up another rifle," he cried; "I'll give them a few parting
shots."

"Oh, let them escape without further punishment, my friend," said
Lejoillie. "We should not wish to take their lives. They only acted
according to their instincts, and considered that we were trespassing on
their property."

Tim did not seem to understand this idea; nor did Carlos, who, having
his musket ready, sprang to the window and fired. The act nearly cost
him his life for at that moment an arrow flew in, and, grazing his head,
struck the wall behind him. This showed us that the Indians were on the
watch, and that we must be careful how we exposed ourselves.

In the meantime, Dixie, our guide, had gone down to examine the door,
and came back to report that it still stood firm, although the Indians'
weapons had made some impression on it, having formed a slit in the
upper part, two or three splinters being actually driven in. It was
thus evident that had they persevered they might in time have cut
through the door; though the aperture would have enabled us to fire at
them, and would probably have given us an advantage which they little
expected. As it