em such a dose of
bullets that they will wish they hadn't come to Roaring Water."

In accordance with Bartle's advice, all the doors and windows were fast
closed, and we were shut up in our fortress.

"It is ill to fight on empty stomachs, so turn to and eat your dinner,
lads; I'll give you notice when you are wanted."

Uncle Jeff having thus spoken, mounted to a window commanding the road
by which the enemy were likely to approach; and there, after snatching a
hasty meal, I quickly joined him. I first, however, took a glance out of
another window, opening to the southward, as it was possible that some
of the Indians might make their way over the hills so as to take us on
the flank.

To each man was given his particular post, at which he was to remain
until summoned elsewhere.

The time now seemed to go by very slowly.

"I do not think they will come, after all," I observed to Uncle Jeff;
"more than an hour has passed since Bartle returned."

He looked at his watch. "It is not one o'clock yet," he observed; "and
Bartle does not often make a mistake."

Just as he spoke, I saw the plumes of a chief's head-dress rising over a
point of rocky ground round which the road passed, and shortly
afterwards a band of painted warriors came into view. They approached
very cautiously, and gazed about them, as if expecting at any moment to
encounter an enemy. Finding, however, that none of us were visible, they
began to advance at a more rapid rate. Immediately afterwards I saw
another and a much larger party coming over the hill, who, as they drew
near, scattered themselves in every direction, so as to be able to get
under shelter behind the intervening rocks and shrubs.

"Tell the men to be ready," cried Uncle Jeff; "and charge them not to
fire until I give the word,--they must not throw a shot away."

I ran hastily round the building, and ascertained that every man was at
his post, prepared for whatever might happen. I then returned to Uncle
Jeff for further orders.

Presently an Indian belonging to the party which had descended the hill
advanced towards the house with a white handkerchief on a pole.

"The fellows have some pretensions to civilization," said Uncle Jeff
when he saw it; "perhaps their white friends have put them up to that."

The Indian, having got within speaking distance, now halted; but seeing
no one whom he could address, he proceeded around the building,
apparently examining our preparations for de