“You’ll repent it, Bruton. You must have had a narrow escape last night.”
“I do not know,” said my father, thoughtfully. “Of course we were very suspicious of the reason for the Indians’ visit, but they did us no harm.”
“Nor to us. Our numbers overawed them, I suppose.”
“Our numbers did not overawe them here,” said my father, smiling; but he added rather bitterly, “If they had meant mischief, we could not have counted on your help.”
“Nor we on yours,” said the colonel, in a rather irritable manner. “Well, of course I have no right to dictate to you; but I may as well tell you that as soon as the Indians left us, we met together, and determined to erect a block-house or fort ready to flee to in case of emergency. It is for you to chose whether you will join us in the work.”
“I shall join you, of course,” said my father, quietly; and, refusing any refreshment, evidently to the great disgust of his men, who exchanged glances which evidently meant breakfast, the colonel walked off.
“See those two fellows, Master George?” whispered Morgan, as my father stood gazing thoughtfully after the colonel.
“Yes; why?”
“Never see two look more hungry in my life. They’d have cleared us out, see if they wouldn’t. Good job there arn’t many in the settlement like ’em.”
“Why?” I said.