m. His
words inspired courage among them, and they all arose and dressed.
Their room was at the end of the building, as has been said. Obed's
room adjoined it, and the only entrance into their room was through
his. A narrow passage ran from the central hall and far as the wall
of their room, and on the side of the passage was the door which led
into Obed's.

After putting some more peat on the fire, he called to his sister to
watch at the window of her room, and then replenishing his pipe, and
loading the discharged chambers of his revolver, he awaited the
renewal of hostilities. The long silence that followed showed him
that his fire had been very serious, and he began to think that they
would not return. So the time passed until five o'clock came. The
women in the adjoining room were perfectly silent, but watchful, and
apparently calm. Below there were occasional sounds of footsteps,
which showed that the assailants were still in the place. The
excitement of the occasion was rather agreeable to Obed than
otherwise. He felt that he had the advantage in every respect, and
was certain that there could not be very many assailants below. Their
long delay in resuming the assault showed that they were cowed.

[Illustration: "To Spring Forward With Leveled Pistol Upon His
Assailants Was The Work Of A Moment."]

At last, however, to his intense gratification, he heard footsteps on
the stairs. He knew by the sound that there could not be more than
four, or perhaps six. When near his door the footsteps stopped. There
was a momentary silence, and then suddenly a tremendous blow, and a
panel of the door crashed in at the stroke of an axe, the head of
which followed it. Quick as lightning Obed took aim. He saw how the
axe had fallen, and judged exactly the position of the man that dealt
the blow. He fired. A shriek followed. That shot had told. Wild
curses arose. There was a mad rush at the door, and again the axe
fell.

Once more Obed watched the fall of the axe and fired. Again that shot
told. There were groans and shrieks of rage, and deep, savage curses.

And now at last Obed rose to the level of the occasion. He rapidly
reloaded the emptied chambers of his revolver. Stepping to the door
of the inner room he spoke some soothing words, and then hurrying
back, he drew the ponderous bedstead away. Outside he heard
shuffling, as of footsteps, and thought they might be dragging away
those who had been wounded last. All th