in her characteristic way the extraordinary experience of
herself and mistress with the dusky intruder.

As she had said, the warning which the captain shouted from the roof was
heard by them, but the words were not understood.

Mrs. Shirril, however, was keen-witted enough to suspect the truth. The
muffled tones showed that her husband was on the roof, while the noise
of the body dropping upon the chair proved that someone had entered by
that means. That being the case, the stranger of necessity must be a
foe, against whose evil intentions they must prepare themselves without
delay.

"One of the Indians has dropped through the scuttle," said the startled
lady.

"Anoder ob dem warmints has comed into my room, eh?" muttered the
angered servant; "I'll sarve him wuss dan the oder one."

"You will not find the task so easy; keep at my side, make no noise, and
don't stir till I tell you."

By this time, the embers on the hearth were so low that they gave out
only a faint illumination, which extended but a foot or two into the
room. The women had kept their places near the door, where, as will be
remembered, they noticed a pressure, as if someone was trying to shove
it open.

Light-footed as was the Comanche, his weight was too great, and his
descent too sudden, for him to keep the knowledge from the women
below-stairs. They stepped softly away from the door, and into the
denser gloom, where they were unable to see each other, although their
persons touched. In this attitude, they could do nothing for a time but
listen with rapidly beating hearts.

The dusky intruder dropped so squarely on the chair that it did not
overturn. He kept his place, instantly securing the scuttle against the
entrance of the white man, whom he had baffled with such cleverness.
Probably he had some idea of taking a shot at him, but the little
manoeuvring in which he indulged told him the danger was too great, and
he gave over the purpose.

The stillness in the room was so profound that the women plainly heard
his moccasins touch the floor, when he stepped from the chair. Then he
began gliding softly about the apartment, like a burglar who is obliged
to feel every inch of his way with hands and feet.

Great as was his care, he had not continued this long, when he struck
the chair and overturned it.

"De willian!" muttered Dinah, "and dat's in my abpartment too----"

"Sh!" whispered her mistress, touching her arm, "he can't do any harm,