CHAPTER X
BARRINGFORD AS A SCOUT
The volley poured into the Indians by the whites made the red warriors pause for the time being. They were close to a clump of bushes and trees growing near the center of the glade, and they got behind this shelter with alacrity.
In the cave all was confusion. It was an opening ten to fifteen feet in height and equally broad at the mouth. It ran back a distance of over two hundred feet, where it ended in a split among the rocks, coming out at a point where there was a thick patch of nettle bushes.
The horses had been brought into the cave and were led to the rear. Here Hempser worked like a Trojan, with one of the regulars helping him. Loose stones were to be had in plenty, and they blocked up the rear opening completely.
“They’ll have their hands full, getting in this way,” said the regular. “The nettles will keep them back if nothing else will.”
“Right you are,” answered Hempser. “Injuns don’t like to git scratched any more than anybody else.”
At the front of the cavern Sam Barringford took command. A glance showed him how the land lay, and he at once ordered some of the men to pile up the loose stones to a height of several feet. This formed a barricade, behind which the frontiersmen and regulars could lie with but little danger of the enemy picking them off.
“This is a situation we didn’t bargain for,” said Rodney, after the construction of the barricade had come to an end. “I must say I don’t like it.”
“Well, lad, it’s better than being surrounded in the open,” answered Barringford, with an effort to look on the bright side of the affair.
“I don’t think they’ll attack us now,” went on the young soldier. “But they may do it to-night.”