Then they heard rapid feet, a smash, a crash, and the door flew open.

A half dozen Iroquois and a log that they held between them were hurled into the middle of the room.

The door had given away so easily and unexpectedly that the warriors could not check themselves, and two or three fell with the log.

But they sprang like cats to their feet, and with their comrades uttered a cry that filled the whole cabin with its terrible sound and import.
The Iroquois, keen of eyes and quick of mind, saw the trap at once.
The five grim figures, rifle in hand and finger on trigger, all waiting silent and motionless were far different from what they expected.

Here could be no scalps, with the long, silky hair of women and children.
There was a moment's pause, and then the Indians rushed at their foes.
Five fingers pulled triggers, flame leaped from five muzzles, and in an instant the cabin was filled with smoke and war shouts, but the warriors never had a chance.