On the instant Ike and Wah Shin became as silent as the grave, and hugged closer to the surface of the rock, but they could hear their own hearts beating like war-drums, and they would not have been at all surprised if told that the men down below could hear them, too.
It was a trying moment, but Sam was equal to the occasion. His ready rifle was protruding through an opening in the wall that commanded the approach. Ike stood at his right hand and Wah Shin on his left, each ready to hurl down the stones on their assailants, when their young commander gave the word.
[CHAPTER XXXIV.—A BRIEF TRUCE AND WHAT FOLLOWED IT.]
After a painful wait, Sam heard voices under the rock, and he braced himself for the expected assault.
The men were evidently consulting, and one was in favor of attacking at once, while the others advised "strategy;" this was the one word that came distinctly to Sam's ears.
At length, Shirley, who was in favor of strategy, stepped back from under the rock and called up:
"Hello! hello! up there!"
"Hello, down there!" was Sam's response.
"Is that you, Sam Willett?"
"It is."