The others said nothing, but watched his face.

When he turned away they knew that the moment was at hand.
"They've just come from the woods," he said, "and in a minute they'll be at the door.

Now, boys, take one last look at your rifles." A minute later there was a sudden sharp knock at the door, but no answer came from within.

The knock was repeated, sharper and louder, and Henry, altering his voice as much as possible, exclaimed like one suddenly awakened from sleep: "Who is it?
What do you want ?" Back came a voice which Henry knew to be that of Braxton Wyatt: "We've come from farther up the valley.

We're scouts, we've been up to the Indian country.