l danger which hung over all
was a hundredfold sadder. The Ashbridges and Altmans saw the nearest and
dearest ones on earth in the most imminent peril of their lives, and, so
far as human agency was concerned, none were able to extend a helping
hand.

"I've a feeling," remarked Hastings, after Thomas Altman had withdrawn
to his station, "that whatever is done to help these folks has got to be
done this very night."

"There ain't no speck of doubt about it--helloa, who's this?"

A second form approached them through the gloom. Dimly seen though it
was, something in the gait or manner told Kenton who it was.

"Is that you, Dan'l?"

"Yes," replied the veteran, quietly sitting down near them as though he
had been absent but a few minutes. "I had a hard time to find you, and
was on the p'int several times of 'calling.'"

"Why didn't you do it? I did."

"There are too many Injins in the woods. I heerd 'em 'calling' to each
other more than once, and it was all I could do to keep from bumpin'
aginst 'em. If I had signaled, some of 'em would have answered, and
things might have got mixed. I 'spected where you was, and therefore
knowed the right spot to look."

"As I didn't, I 'called,' and come through all right. Wal, Dan'l, as you
say, the varmints are powerful plenty in these parts. Since you and me
hadn't any trouble gettin' into this fort, as Jim Deane calls it, it
follers that if the varmints should try it they would find it jest as
easy."

"So they won't," remarked Hastings; "but one of 'em found it rather
risky gettin' out agin."

"I heerd a gun go off a while ago," said Boone, as though the matter had
little interest to him.

Hastings related the occurrence which resulted in the death of the dusky
intruder, and Kenton gave an account of what he had done, or, rather,
attempted to do, for he was more unsparing in condemning his failures
than his worst enemies would have been.

"Now, Dan'l," remarked his younger friend, "the past ain't of any
'count; it's the present, the now, that we've got to take care of. What
do you think the varmints mean to do?"

"Wait where they are till mornin', and then begin shooting."

"And if they can't pick us all off, keep us here till we're starved
out?"

"There ain't any doubt of that."

"I agree with you, Daniel; therefore, whatever we do for the folks has
got to be done afore sun-up."

"That's as true as Gospel."

"How many of the varmints are there?"

"There see