They all congratulated him—all, including Harvey, who had picked himself up and was rubbing his head where a lump the size of a hickory nut testified to his having struck against a stone after being given momentum by the wounded savage; then they hastened to make such preparations as were necessary before the attack which they now knew must come.
“First, let’s get rid of this body,” said the captain, and taking down some of the brush at the rear, they dragged the corpse out and toward the river. Returning, they made everything snug again, and the captain disposed of the forces for the fray.
“My plan of reserving the fire for a volley has been spoiled,” he said, “so the next best thing will have to be done. Ferguson, you’re a splendid shot. Do you think that with a boost you can get up on the rock, in about the place where your friend, the Majerona, was lying?”
“Yes, I guess so,” replied the American, surveying the steep boulder.
“Then it would be well for you to do so and commence picking them off with your rifle as soon as they come in sight. We have only two openings down here that command their approach, and there won’t be an opportunity for us all. We must kill and wound as many as possible before they get near. That’s our only hope.”
“What am I going to do?” asked Harvey. “There are only two openings, and I suppose you and Mr. Hope-Jones will want to cover those.”
“You can alternate with me, my boy. My rifle, unfortunately, is a muzzle-loader, and while I am ramming in a charge you can step to the peep-hole and use your shot-gun. Of course,” he continued, “the shot-guns will not carry as far as the rifles and will not be serviceable as soon, but we have plenty of ammunition, and I think it would be wise to blaze away with all pieces as often as possible during the first five minutes and make plenty of noise.” Then turning to Ferguson again he said:—
“Don’t stay up there a second after it seems dangerous. You can slide down, can you not, without assistance?”
“Of course.”
“How many cartridges does your rifle carry in the chamber?”