ly, it was
difficult to say. His departure was suspicious, too; he might have
visited us with treacherous intentions. But perhaps he was merely a
coward, and finding that we would not take his advice and desert the
farm, he had escaped, to avoid the danger to which he would be exposed.
However, if he intended treachery, it was better to have him out of the
way.

"Maybe, afther all, the spalpeen is hiding somewhere," observed
Gillooly, when he found that we were inquiring for the Indian; "if he is
anywhere inside, sure I'll ferret him out;" and the Irishman immediately
began poking his nose into every hole and cranny in the building.

"Bedad! he's convarted himself into a rat, for nowhere can I find him in
any hole that a mortal man could stow himself into!" exclaimed Barney,
after a long search.

I have not yet described the building which, if we were attacked, was
to serve as our fortress. It was of considerable size; the lower part of
the walls consisting of stout logs, the upper portion being of
framework, and boarded. Round three sides was a stout palisade, forming
an enclosure, while the remaining side was occupied by stables and other
out-buildings. Barns, cow-sheds, and piggeries were placed at some
little distance off. Then there was the hut occupied by the farm hands;
while overhanging the stream, which flowed by on one side, was a small
mill, the wheel of which was turned by its waters.

The hills rose on either side, but too far off to allow an enemy to
command the house from them; while the intervening space was rough and
rocky,--forming shelter, however, to an approaching foe. Had we felt
sure that we would be attacked, we should have been wise to have
destroyed many of these out-buildings, as they were calculated to
protect the enemy. But to the last Uncle Jeff was not fully persuaded
that the Indians would venture to approach the place, as they must have
known that we were prepared for their reception.

The day drew on, but still Bartle did not return; and we began to hope
that after all no enemy would appear. But about noon, and just as we
were making ready to sit down to dinner, he was seen approaching the
house with rapid strides.

"There is no doubt about what these varmints intend!" he exclaimed as he
rushed into the house. "They are coming on as fast as their legs can
carry them, and will be here before the day is much older. Look to your
firearms, lads; we must be ready for them, and give th