As the three whites stood leaning against the wall of rocks behind them, and looking across the moonlit creek into the gloomy woods beyond, they became aware of a gradual lighting up of the sky overhead, with a glare which they soon saw reflected upon the leaves before them.
"Another fire!" exclaimed Sebastian, in an undertone.
"Close by, too," added Crockett.
"What can it be?" asked Katrina.
"It is the building which we saw, and where we were certain there was no danger at all from the Indians," replied the Texan.
"Indeed, our escape has been wonderful," added the astonished girl; "we have been walking and wandering about in the woods, with the Indians on every side of us, and yet not a hair of our heads has been harmed."
"We have been wonderfully protected," responded her lover, "and I only hope the same care will be continued to us."
"But others have not been so fortunate."
"No," said Sebastian, with a sigh, "such a raid as this must always accomplish something. Where there are so many exposed, some of them must fall. More than one house will be rendered desolate by this incursion of the Comanches."
It was on the tongue of Katrina, as the thought of her uncle entered her mind, to say that one home had already been made so; but she recalled the promise made to her lover and held her peace.