No more was said, and each took his place at the palisade and gazed through one loophole and another anxiously. All was quiet outside and not a single human being was in sight.
A quarter of an hour passed, and then James Morris joined his nephew, carrying several loaded guns and pistols.
"Well?" he questioned, laconically.
"Haven't seen anybody yet," answered Henry.
"I tied that rascal up good and hard," said the trader.
"What did he have to say for himself?"
"He tried to worm out of it by saying he was drunk yesterday and his friends must have tied him in the bundle for fun while he was sleeping. He professes to be friendly and says he will fight the others for playing such a trick on him."
"Do you believe such a yarn, Uncle Jim?"
"No, and I told him so. If any of those redskins appear don't let them get too close."
James Morris went off, to interview Tony Jadwin. He was gone but a minute when Henry saw something dark moving cautiously along a mass of brushwood down near the brook.