'I know this,' said the General sullenly, 'they were in quite as big a funk as I was!'
'Then why didn't they run in, and ask to be hidden too?' inquired Hilary.
'Why? Because they didn't dare!' retorted Tinling, boldly.
'You know,' he remarked to Cecily, as they were going down together through the warm darkness, 'it's not fair of your uncle to play these tricks on fellows.'
'Perhaps it isn't quite,' said Cecily, impartially; 'but then he didn't begin, did he?'
'Ahoy!' shouted Uncle Lambert, as they neared the stockade, and he was answered by a ringing cheer from the fortress.
'Come on—we ain't afraid of you! Don't skulk there—see what you'll get!' And a volley of peas, corks, and small shot flew about their ears.
Lambert Jolliffe ran forward: 'Hi, stop that! spare our lives!' he cried, laughing. 'Jack, you young rascal, put down that confounded popgun—can't you see we're not Red Indians?'
'What, is it you, uncle?' said Guy, in a rather crestfallen tone. 'Where are the Red Indians then?'
'They had to go up to town to see their dentist. But do you mean to say you haven't opened my envelope after all?'