the result of a fire would be,
held a consultation, and decided that in the event of the fire getting
control of the fort they should retire into the covered way, block up
the entrance with earth, and remain there until help should arrive. It
was thought the Indians would suppose all had perished in the flames.

"But they know we came here by an underground passage from the house,"
said Brenda; "will they not suspect we have entered another passage if
we all disappear?"

"P'r'aps they may," answered Mr. Arnold; "I had not thought of that.
We'll have to take our chances."

"If one of us was to appear to escape from here, and join them,"
continued the girl, "I think they would suppose the others had
perished, and make no search."

"That may be true, but I'll take my chances here," said Mr. Gilbert.

"So will I," said his companion. "A fellow wouldn't last a minute
outside this fort. I prefer smothering to the death those devils will
give me."

It soon became evident to the besieged that the outer wall was on
fire.

The sun had gone down and darkness was deepening in the valley when
the first tongue of flame licked through a crevice in the roof and
showed that the fire had gained a foothold. Soon a hole appeared,
close to the eaves, which gradually enlarged towards the centre of the
roof and along the surface of the earth. With blankets the fire was
beaten out on the sides, but it crept insidiously along between the
timber and earth covering.

In making the roof, branches of pine had been spread over the timber,
and the branches in turn covered with a thick layer of straw to
prevent the earth from filtering between the logs. This material was
as dry as tinder, and held the fire.

The men stood at the loop-holes and compelled the savages to remain
under cover of the out-building, while the four girls exerted
themselves to keep the fire from showing inside. Delay until help
could arrive from Whipple was what all were struggling to gain; but
the increasing heat and smoke showed the defenders at last that they
could no longer put off retiring to the covered way.

The word was given and all entered it, and the men with shovels began
to close the entrance. When it was a little more than half closed the
hole in the roof had become triangular, resembling the space between
two spokes and a felloe of a wheel. On the earth, or felloe side of
the triangle, there was no fire; but the other sides were burning
fiercely.