and cast them out, one by one,
each falling with a dull, heavy sound to the ground below. Then Paul
slammed back the window and shot the bar into place. As he did so three
or four rifles flashed from the forest, and the bullets pattered upon the
heavy oaken shutter.

"Too late," said Henry, "We took 'em by surprise, as I thought we should."

Paul drew a long and deep breath. The cabin had taken on a brighter
aspect.

"I'm mighty glad that's done," he said.

"If you'll listen carefully, I think you'll hear something later," said
Henry.

Henry was right. In about half an hour they heard soft, shuffling noises
beside the cabin, just under the window.

"They're taking away the dead warriors," said Henry.

"I don't want to fire on them while they're doing it," said Paul.

"Nor I," said Henry. "We might reach 'em, but I'm glad they're doing what
they are."

The slight, sliding noises continued for a little while, and then they
heard only the light sweep of the rain. On the roof it became a patter,
and here and there a drop made its way between the boards and fell on the
floor. It was soothing to Paul after the excitement of those terrible
moments, and he felt a queer, pleasant languor. His eyes half closed, but
his vague look fell on somber, dark spots on the floor, and the sight was
repellent to him. He went to the hearth, heaped up the whole of the embers
and ashes, and sprinkled them carefully over the spots, which would have
been red in the light, but which were black in the night and gloom of the
cabin. Henry watched him do it, but said nothing. He understood Paul, and
gave him his sympathy.

Paul sat down again on the floor, and leaned against the wall. The
pleasant, languorous feeling came once more, but he was roused suddenly by
scattered rifle shots, and sprang up. Henry laughed.

"They're not attacking," he said. "It was only a volley, fired from the
wood, to show how angry they are. I don't think we need expect anything
more to-night. You might really go to sleep, Paul, if you feel like it."

"No, I will not!" exclaimed Paul with energy. "I won't do all the
sleeping, and let you do all the watching. Besides, I couldn't sleep,
anyhow; my nerves wouldn't let me. I looked sleepy just because I was
tired, it's your time."

"All right," said Henry. "Now, you watch good, Paul."

Then Henry lay down upon the floor and closed his eyes. He might not have
done so, but he felt sure that nothing more would be