Neale plainly
saw a befeathered chieftain point with long arm. Then the band
moved, disintegrated, and presently seemed to have melted into the
ground.
"Men, we're in for a siege!" yelled old Baxter.
At this juncture the women came running out, badly frightened.
"The Indians! The Indians!" cried Mrs. Dillon. "We saw them--behind
the cabin--creeping down through the rocks."
"Get inside--stay in the cabin!" ordered Baxter.
Allie was the last one crowded in. Neale, as he half forced her
inside, was struck with a sudden wild change in her expression.
"There! There!" she whispered, trying to point.
Just then rifle-shots and the spattering of bullets made quick work
urgent.
"Go--get inside the log walls," said Neale, as he shoved Allie in.
Excitement prevailed among the graders. They began to run under
cover of the inclosure and some began to shoot aimlessly.
"Anderson, take some men! Go to the back of the cabin!" shouted
Baxter.
The scout called for men to follow him and ran out. So many of the
graders essayed to follow that they blocked the narrow opening
between the inclosure and house. Suddenly one of them in the rear
sheered round so that he looked at Neale. It was but a momentary
glance, but Neale sensed recognition there. Then the man was gone
and Neale sustained a strange surprise.
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