Each had a young daughter, and it was in the minds of each to slay her in the last resort if there should be no other way.
"If those fellows in the tree keep on driving us from the palisade," said Ross, setting his face in the grim manner of one who forces himself to tell the truth, "there's nothin' to prevent the main band from makin' an attack, and while the other fellows rain bullets on us they'll be inside the palisade." They stared at each other in silent despair, and Ross going to the corner of the house, but keeping himself protected well, looked at the fatal tree.

No one was firing, then, and he could see nothing among its branches.

In the fresh green of its young foliage it looked like a huge cone set upon a giant stem, and Ross shook his fist at it in futile anger.

Nor was a foe visible elsewhere.

The entire savage army lay hidden in the forest and nothing fluttered or moved but the leaves and the grass.
The others, led by the same interest, followed Ross, and keeping to the safety of the walls, stole glances at the tree.