That there was an approach to the camp over the precipitous cliff to the right was a circumstance that Lieutenant Gardiner was yet to learn; not that it made his position more insecure, as his breastwork was some distance from the cliff.
Within the grove, and the breastwork, were the animals and the implements of the party, and Ike Yardell, seeing the probability of remaining there several days, had called upon Corney Donohoe and Jake Spatz to assist him in building a fireplace of stones; a substantial affair that would assist his culinary efforts.
Gummery Glyndon expressed himself highly satisfied with the condition in which the camp had been placed during his absence.
“Smoholler can never drive us out of this,” he said. “He don’t care much for the lives of his men, that’s certain, but he can’t take this place in a single charge, and it will cost him pretty dear to try it.”
“Have you any idea of the force under his command?” asked Lieutenant Gardiner.
“Nigh onto fifty, I should judge by the looks of his trail.”
“We can drive off double that number.”
“Yes; but I have an idea that he has a lot more coming. He can set all the other tribes round here against us; and if he should muster three or four hundred warriors in front of us, it would make things look squally for us.”
“It would, indeed. They might flank us on the other bank of the river, and so hem us in, and starve us into submission. But I have an idea that this obstruction will only be temporary, and that we shall be permitted to proceed.”
“Not a bit of it,” replied Glyndon, decidedly. “We have got to whip these Injuns and drive ’em away—that’s the only way that we shall ever ever get rid of ’em. And we must have some help to do it.”