"You think 'cause Jo Stinger has played the fool, there's nothing left of his wit, but you'll soon larn he hasn't forgot everything he once knowed."
"Is it the only one that endangers the roof?" asked Colonel Preston, as Jo joined them.
"Yes; if we can get that out, the trouble is over for the present, though I don't know how long it will stay so."
"Suppose you cannot extinguish it?" asked Mrs. Preston.
"Then the block-house has got to burn."
This announcement caused dismay, for all felt that the few blunt words of the scout were the simple truth. They so affected Blossom Brown that he dropped back on a stool, and set up a howling that must have reached the ears of the Wyandots outside.
"It's all de fault ob dat Deerhead—I mean Deerfoot, dat was so orful anxious to run us into dis old place, when I told 'em it wasn't wise. I wanted to go back to Wild Oaks where I had some chores to do, but he obsisted, but took mighty good care to keep out de block-house hisself, as I took notice——"
Blossom Brown would have gone on for an indefinite time with his loud wailing, had not Stinger checked him by the threat to throw him out the trap-door upon the roof.
Afraid that his bluff answer to Mrs. Preston's question might have caused too much alarm, the scout added—
"If the varmints don't do any more than that, we're all right, for I'm going to put the blaze out."