it the Indian, which I have
no doubt of, they will make off; however, it will be just as well to be
on our guard, nevertheless. Martin can watch here, and I will watch in
the fold."

We have before observed that the lodge of Malachi, Martin, and his wife,
was built within the palisade of the sheep-fold, and that there was a
passage from the palisade round the house to that which surrounded the
sheep-fold, which passage had also a palisade on each side of it.

"I will watch here," said Alfred; "let Martin go home with you and his
wife."

"I will watch with you," said John.

"Well, perhaps that will be better," said Malachi; "two rifles are
better than one, and if any assistance is required there will be one to
send for it."

"But what do you think they would do, Malachi?" said Mr Campbell; "they
cannot climb the palisades."

"Not well, sir, nor do I think they would attempt it unless they had a
large force, which I am sure they have not; no, sir, they would rather
endeavour to set fire to the house if they could, but that's not so
easy; one thing is certain, that the Snake will try all he can to get
possession of what he saw in your store-house."

"That I do not doubt," said Alfred; "but he will not find it quite so
easy a matter."

"They've been reconnoitring, sir, that's the truth of it, and if John
has helped one of them to a bit of lead, it will do good; for it will
prove to them that we are on the alert, and make them careful how they
come near the house again."

After a few minutes' more conversation, Mr Campbell, Henry, and
Percival retired, leaving the others to watch. Alfred walked home with
Malachi and his party to see if all was right at the sheep-fold, and
then returned.

The night passed without any further disturbance except the howling of
the wolves, to which they were accustomed.

The next morning, at daybreak, Malachi and Martin came to the house,
and, with John and Alfred, they opened the palisade gate, and went out
to survey the spot where John had fired.

"Yes, sir," said Malachi; "it was an Indian, no doubt of it; here are
the dents made in the snow by his knees as he crawled along, and John
has hit him, for here is the blood. Let's follow the trail. See, sir,
he has been hard hit; there is more blood this way as we go on. Ha!"
continued Malachi, as he passed by a mound of snow, "here's the
wolf-skin he was covered up with; then he is dead or thereabouts, and
they have carried h