stance, for the Indians were
not long in scampering beyond the range of the loopholes.

When Glenn could no longer see any of the dark forms of the enemy, he
turned round to contemplate the sad condition of Joe. Joe was sitting
up, with his hands locked round his knees.

"Well, split me in two!" cried Sneak, staring at his companion.

"What's the matter, Sneak?" asked Joe, with much simplicity.

"That's a purty question for _you_ to ask, after there for dead this
half-hour almost"

"Have the Indians been here?" asked Joe, staring round wildly.

"Hain't you heard us shooting?"

"My goodness," cried Joe, springing up. "Oh! am I wounded? say!" he
continued, evincing the most lively alarm.

"Well, if this don't beat every thing that ever I saw in all my life,
I wish I may be shot!" said Sneak.

"What is it?" asked Joe, his senses yet wandering.

"Jest feel the back of your head," said Sneak. Joe put his hand to the
place indicated, and winced under the pain of the touch. He then
looked at his hand, and beholding a quantity of clotted blood upon it,
fell down suddenly on the snow.

"What's the matter now?" asked Glenn, who had seen his man sitting up,
and came swiftly to him when he fell.

"I'm a dead man!" said Joe, mournfully.

"That's a lie!" said Sneak.

"What ails you, Joe?" asked Glenn, his tone much softened.

"I'm dying--oh! I'm shot through the head!"

"Don't believe him, Mr. Glenn--I'll be smashed if its any thing but my
tooth," said Sneak.

"Oh--I'm dying!" continued Joe, pressing his hand against his head,
while the pain and loss of blood actually produced a faintness, and
his voice became very weak.

"Are you really much hurt?" continued Glenn, stooping down, and
feeling his pulse.

"It's all over!" muttered Joe. "I'm going fast. Sancte Petre!--Pater
noster, qui es in coelis, sanctificeter nomen tuum; adveniat regnum
tu--"

Here Joe's voice failed, and, falling into a syncope, Glenn and Sneak
lifted him up and carried him into the house.

"Is he shot?" exclaimed Mary, instantly producing some lint and
bandages which she had prepared in anticipation of such an event.

"I fear he has received a serious hurt," said Glenn, aiding Mary, who
had proceeded at once to bind up the wound.

"I'll be split if he's shot!" said Sneak, going out and returning to
his post. Glenn did likewise when he saw the first indications of
returning consciousness in his man; and Mary was left alone to restore