alone finding voice to
exclaim in horrified tones:

"Poor Avon! he has fallen! he has given his life for us!"

CHAPTER V.

UPSTAIRS AND DOWNSTAIRS.

Profound stillness followed the despairing exclamation of Mrs. Shirril,
who believed that her nephew had gone to his death while trying to steal
away from the cabin in which his friends were held at bay by the
Comanches.

The quiet on the outside was as deep and oppressive as within. There was
the sharp, resounding report of the rifle, followed on the instant by
the wild cry of mortal pain, and then all became like the tomb itself.

It was singular that the first spark of hope was kindled by the words of
the colored servant, Dinah.

"What makes you tink de boy am dead?" she asked, a moment after the
woful words of her mistress.

"Didn't you hear him cry out just now?"

"No; I didn't hear him nor did you either; dat warn't de voice ob
Avon."

"How can you know that?" asked Mrs. Shirril, beginning to feel anew hope
within her.

"Lor' o' massy! habent I heerd de voice ob dat younker offen 'nough to
know it 'mong ten fousand? Habent I heerd him yell, too? he neber does
it in _dat_ style; dat war an Injin, and de reason dat he screeched out
in dat onmarciful way war 'cause he got in de path ob Avon and de boy
plugged him."

"By gracious, Dinah! I believe you're right!" was the exclamation of
Captain Shirril, so joyous over the rebound from despair that he was
ready to dance a breakdown in the middle of the floor.

"Course I is right, 'cause I _allers_ is right."

"I suppose there is some reason in that, but please keep quiet--both of
you, for a few minutes, while I listen further."

The women were standing near the captain, who once more inclined his
head, with his ear at the small orifice in the door.

The seconds seemed minutes in length, but as they wore away, nothing
definite was heard. Once or twice the tramp of horses' feet was noticed,
and other sounds left no doubt that most of the Comanches were still
near the dwelling.

This listening would have lasted longer, but for an unpleasant though
not dangerous interruption. Dinah, who seemed to be meeting with some
trouble in her respiration, suddenly emitted a sneeze of such prodigious
force that her friends were startled.

It was not necessary for them to enquire as to the cause. The blanket
that had been thrown upon the flames, and which brought instant night,
did its work well, but it was b