"Be careful," said Leland; "don't come too near. Just have the powder and wadding ready and hand it to me when I need it."
"I will," she replied, in a calm, unexcited voice, as she reached him his rod.
"Just see what Zeb is at, while I watch my chance."
She disappeared, and in a moment returned.
"He seems frantic with delight, and is yet unharmed."
"God preserve him," said George, "for his assistance is needed."
"Be careful," said Rosalind, as George approached the window.
"I shall—whew! that's a close rub!" he muttered, as a bullet pierced his cap. "There, you're past harm," he added, as he discharged his gun.
Thus the contest was kept up for over an hour. But few shots were interchanged on either side, each party becoming more careful in their action. Young Leland remained at his window, and kept a close watch upon his field; but no human being was seen. Zeb laughed, ducked his head, and made numerous threats toward his enemies, but seemed to attract no notice from them.
Now and then Rosalind spoke a word to her brother, but the suspense which the silence of their enemies had put them in, sealed their lips, and, for a long while, the silence was unbroken by either. They were startled at length by the report of Zeb's rifle, and the next minute he appeared among them, exclaiming: