“They have fired the straw,” cried Ned. “I can smell the smoke—and look—see the light flashing in through the crevices here. The cursed red-skin would burn up her, whom he would have for his bride.”
It was even as he said. The crackling of the flames outside could now be heard, and all along the side of the cabin the light was flashing in through the slight crevices between the logs. A danger more terrible than any which had before threatened them was upon them now.
In a minute more the loft was so full of smoke that they could not stay there.
Feeling their way to the ladder they descended to the apartment below, where they found their friends also aware of the new danger that threatened them.
“Jerusalem and the Prophets,” cried the Yankee. “That pack of mine will be burned up as sure as preaching.”
No heed was paid to this lament, and Sam Wilson exclaimed:
“The red-skins are trying a new dodge, are they. Do you think they can make the cabin burn?”
“I am afraid so,” answered the scout, and then he told them what they had taken to kindle the flames with.
The roaring of the flames could now be plainly heard as they leaped up the side of the cabin.
“If it catches upon the roof there is no hope for us,” said the settler, despondingly.