But if he reached Wareville again how could he tell the tale of his loss?
There was one to whom no excuse would seem good.
Often Mr.Pennypacker was by his side, and when the darkness began to thin away before the moonlight these two men exchanged sad glances.

Each understood what was in the heart of the other, but neither spoke.
The hours of night and combat dragged heavily.

When the waning fire of the savages ceased they let their own cease also, and then sought ground upon which they might resist any new attack, made in the daylight.

They found it at last in a rocky region that doubled the powers of the defense.

Ross was openly exultant.
"We scorched 'em good yesterday an' to-night," he said, "an' if they come again in the day we'll just burn their faces away." Most of the men, worn to the bone, sank down to sleep on the wet ground in their wet clothes, while the others watched, and the few hours, left before the morning, passed peacefully away.
At the first sunlight the men were awakened, and all ate cold food which they carried in their knapsacks.