Stationing himself close to Mr. Brainerd, who was lying on his face with his rifle cocked and extended in front, he also raised the hammer of his gun and whispered:
"Sh! I thought I saw an Injin's top-knot then!"
"Look out he doesn't shoot you wid it," laughed Gimp. "Dere's no tellin' what dey'll fire wid, and—"
"That's enough of that," interposed Mr. Brainerd, sternly. "This is no time for mirth. There are Indians out there, and I saw the head of one but a second ago."
"What did I tell you?" demanded Habakkuk. "You won't feel like laughing a few minutes from now."
At this moment perfect silence fell on all, for they saw that Mr. Brainerd had discovered something unusual and alarming.
More than that, he was taking deliberate aim at some object, only pausing long enough to make sure that when he fired the ball should not miss.
CHAPTER XXI.
The finger of Mr. Brainerd was pressing the trigger, and the hammer with its cumbrous flint was on the very eve of descending, when he suddenly released the pressure, and gave utterance to a peculiar half-chuckle. Those who were gazing along the line of direction indicated by the gleaming rifle-barrel, saw at the point where the Seneca was expected to appear, something which looked very much like the forerunner of that interesting person.