they
may rely upon his being here some time tomorrow, we hope before
noon. Ask if there is anything that we can do for them, or for Mr.
Donald."

The policeman went in, and Reuben called one of his other men.

"Perkins, do you, Jones, and Rider go in and fetch out the bodies
of the men who have been killed. Don't make more noise than you can
help about it. Carry them out to that shed there, and then get a
bucket and wash down the floors, wherever there are bloodstains
about. I want to have the place straight, so that those poor ladies
may avoid seeing anything to recall the scene they have passed
through. Of course, you won't go into the room where they are now."

Three or four of the settlers at once volunteered to set to work to
dig a grave.

"Choose a place a bit away from the house," one of them said. "The
farther, the better; it will remind them of this affair, whenever
they see it."

While Reuben was arranging this point, the constable had come out
and told Mr. Barker the ladies would be glad to see him.

"It's a terrible business," the settler said to Reuben, as he
turned to go into the house. "I feel downright afraid of facing
them. To think how bright and pretty they looked, when I rode over
here ten days ago; and now there they are, broken hearted."

He returned in a few minutes.

"How is Donald?" was the general question.

"He is hard hit," the settler said, "just under the ribs on the
right-hand side. I expect the fellow aimed at his head, but he was
starting from his seat at the moment. He isn't in much pain. I have
told them they must keep him perfectly quiet, and not let him move
till the surgeon comes.

"They have asked me to see about everything. It's better we should
not be going in and out of the house, as he must be kept perfectly
quiet; so I think we had better establish ourselves under that big
tree over there. There are some sheep half a mile over that rise,
if two of you will go over, kill one and fetch it in. If you will
light a fire under that tree, I will hand out from the house flour,
tea, sugar, and some cooking things."

There was a general murmur of approval, for all felt silent and
awed at being so close to the house of death and sorrow. Two men
got their horses, and rode off to fetch the sheep. The others
carried the various articles requisite up to the place fixed for
the bivouac, while Wilkins was installed in the house, to assist in
anything that might be required ther