"So they won't," remarked Hastings; "but one of 'em found it rather risky gettin' out agin."
"I heerd a gun go off a while ago," said Boone, as though the matter had little interest to him.
Hastings related the occurrence which resulted in the death of the dusky intruder, and Kenton gave an account of what he had done, or, rather, attempted to do, for he was more unsparing in condemning his failures than his worst enemies would have been.
"Now, Dan'l," remarked his younger friend, "the past ain't of any 'count; it's the present, the now, that we've got to take care of. What do you think the varmints mean to do?"
"Wait where they are till mornin', and then begin shooting."
"And if they can't pick us all off, keep us here till we're starved out?"
"There ain't any doubt of that."
"I agree with you, Daniel; therefore, whatever we do for the folks has got to be done afore sun-up."
"That's as true as Gospel."
"How many of the varmints are there?"