obey. Striking off, then, to the left
into the shadow, which looked intensely black by contrast, they had one
glimpse of Tregelly's huge form, and then the broad band of ruddy light
from the door cut off everything, while well upon their guard they
approached nearer and nearer, feeling that Tregelly must be nearing the
building at about the same rate.

It was a task which, in spite of the extremely short distance, made
Dallas breathe hard, and feel as if he were going through some great
exertion, before he was so close that he could nearly touch the rough
trunks which formed the wall, the thick thatching of pine-boughs
stretching out like the roof of a verandah, so that the darkness seemed
more intense where they stood waiting for the signal which seemed as if
it would never come.

And as Dallas stood in the deep silence the popping and crackling of the
burning wood came out of the open doorway sharp and clear, while it
seemed to him that Abel's breath sounded as hoarse and loud as that of
one in a deep sleep.

At last! a clear, sharp, chirruping trill, and Abel and Tregelly darted
into the light as if urged forward by the same spring, while Dallas
stood for the moment petrified--unable to stir. For from the upright
logs close to which he stood a great hand seemed to dart out, holding
him fast, while simultaneously another hand struck him a tremendous blow
upon the shoulder.

He closed with his assailant, but the next moment he was hurled to the
ground.

As, half-stunned by his fall, Dallas struggled to his feet, there was a
heavy trampling heard as of one escaping in the darkness over the snowy
ground, and at the same moment Tregelly and Abel appeared at the door in
the full light of the fire.

"Where are you, lad?" shouted the former.

"Here, here!" panted Dallas.

"Hah!" cried Tregelly. "Fire, my lad, fire!"

Two more shots rang out in the direction of the retiring steps, with the
result that there was a sudden cessation of the sounds; but directly
after two more shots were fired out of the darkness, and a couple of
bullets whistled through the open doorway.

In an instant Tregelly and Abel sprang to right and left, and fired
again in the direction of the flashes they had seen.

"Missed him!" growled Tregelly, as the faint sound of retreating steps
was again heard. "He's too many for us. Don't fire, my lads. Waste of
powder and shot. How was it, Mr Dallas?"

There was no reply, Dallas standing