er?"

Constance sat for some time in deep thought, while Pete and her father
talked on. Keith would come back. There was comfort, nay, more, there
was joy, in the hope, and then she would thank him for his
thoughtfulness.

Suddenly a wild cry fell upon their ears--a cry of sorrow and rage,
which paled their cheeks and caused them to look at one another with
apprehension.

"The Injuns! The Injuns have come!" cried Pete, rushing to the door.
"My God, I feered it!"

CHAPTER XXIII

THE RUMBLING OF THE STORM

After the Indians' cry had rung through Klassan there was no more sleep
for the miners. Excitement reigned in each cabin, where men waited and
wondered what the night would bring forth. Visions filled their minds
of tales they had heard, and stories they had read, of enraged natives
falling suddenly upon bands of white people and wiping them out of
existence in the most cruel manner.

Following the yell came a silence as deep as death. Listen and watch
as they might, no signal came from that quiet camp, and Night kept her
secret well. Some, imagining they saw Indians stealthily creeping down
upon them, sat or stood with rifles at their side, determined to sell
their lives as dearly as possible. But as the slow hours dragged by,
and nothing happened, the suspense became so unbearable that with one
accord they made their way to the saloon. Here morning found them
earnestly discussing the situation, and planning some method of
defense. Sighs of relief escaped from many a lip as the light
struggled in through the dirty window, filling them with new courage.

It is marvellous what a magical effect the day possesses. Men who,
through the dreary night of doubt and fear, are veritable cowards, will
then become the most arrogant boasters. So several who raised the
loudest lamentations of apprehension now proved the greatest talkers.

"Give us daylight," said one, "and I reckon we can stand off a whole
horde of redskins."

"Don't be too certain about that," replied another. "If those Indians
make up their minds to wipe us out, it's all the same as if we were
dead men."

"But can't we stand a siege here, and mow them down as they come up?"
persisted the other.

"Mow them down! Mow the devil down! Why, they're five to one, and, if
they rushed us, where'd we be? But never fear, that's not their way of
working. They'll not run any unnecessary risk when they've got night
in which to do the job.