lushed as he used to do in school, when his teacher praised him
for excellent lessons, and made no answer, but the eyes of his aunt
kindled with love for the brave fellow who, by his readiness of
resource, had saved her husband's life. Even Dinah, with whom he had
always been a favorite, added an expression of affection for the boy who
had done so well.

There were now two men and two women within the Texan's cabin, and each
held a trusty weapon, while there was plenty of ammunition for all. It
might well be asked, therefore, what cause they had for alarm.

Outside were a dozen or more savage Comanches, who are among the finest
horsemen in the world, and who in fighting ability and bravery are
surpassed by none, unless the Apaches of the Southwest.

It was a piece of daring on the part of these dusky raiders thus to
attack the cabin, when they knew how well it was defended. Captain
Shirril was probably right in supposing they believed that he and his
nephew were with the rest of the cowboys, watching the herd five miles
away. Finding the couple in the cabin, they could not resist the
temptation to bring down the head of the household, after which they
must have supposed the rest would be an easy task.

But having failed, probably they would have withdrawn but for the shot
of Avon Burnet, that had brought down one of their best warriors, and
their well-known desire for revenge urged them to the most desperate
measures against the whites.

But a few minutes' whispered conference at the rear of the cabin brought
to light the fact that every one of our friends, including even Dinah,
understood that their peril was of the gravest nature conceivable.

The structure of the cabin was so thoroughly seasoned by its years of
exposure that it would be an easy matter for their assailants to set
fire to it, and that they would make the attempt was not to be doubted.
They always prepared for such action, and none knew better than they its
fearful effectiveness.

"We might reach the boys by means of the reports of our guns," said the
captain, "if the wind were not the wrong way, but they won't catch the
first sound, especially as they will have their hands full in looking
after the cattle."

"But dey will obsarve de light ob de fiah," suggested Dinah.

"Undoubtedly, but when they do see it," said her master, "it will be too
late to help us. They haven't a suspicion of anything of this kind; if
they had, they would be down her