The majority were mounted, although several struggled forward on foot.

Near their center appeared the ominous gleam of a red blanket, waved back and forth as though in signal, but the distance was too great for my eyes to distinguish the one manipulating it.

We were trapped, with our backs to the wall.
There were but few preparations to be made, and I gave small attention to Kirby until these had been hastily completed.

The door and window were barred, the powder and slugs brought up from below, the rifles loaded and primed, the few loopholes between the logs opened, and a pail of water placed within easy reach.

This was all that could be done.