“No, father, twenty of them, just on the other side of the water-hole, hiding.”
“All of you,” said the doctor, in a low, firm voice, “into the waggon.” Then the boy heard him mutter, as he held him tightly by the arm: “Good heavens! can they have been to the Bluff?”
Chapter Thirteen.
Nic’s Mission.
“Father! do you think they have?” said Nic, breathlessly.
The doctor turned upon his son sharply. “Did I speak aloud?” he said. Nic nodded.
“I don’t know. I cannot tell, my boy. I pray not.”
By this time they were all armed, and the doctor whistled sharply, when there was a whinnying answer, and the two horses came up as fast as their hobbled fore feet would allow.