Then Neale heard the thudding of arrows. Almost at once the
roof of the engineers' quarters, which was merely strips of canvas
over a wooden frame, burst into flames. In a single moment the roof
of the cabin was blazing. More tents ignited, flared up, and the
scene became almost as light as day. Rifles again began to crack.
The crafty Indians poured a hail of bullets into the inclosure and
the walls of the buildings. Still not an Indian was visible for the
defenders to shoot at.
Anderson, Neale, and Baxter were in grim consultation. They agreed
on the scout's dictum: "Reckon the game's up. Hustle the women out."
Neale crawled along the inclosure to the opening. On that side of
the buildings there was dark shadow. But it was lifting. He ran along
the wall, and he heard the whistle of bullets. Back of the cabin the
Indians appeared to have gathered in force. Neale got to the corner
and peered round. The blazing tents lighted up this end. He saw the
graders break and run, some on his side of the cabin. He clambered
in. A door of this room was open, and through it Neale saw the roof
of the engineers' quarters blazing. He heard the women screaming.
Evidently they too were running out to the in-closure. Neale hurried
into the room where he had left Allie. He called.
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