“Didn’t try to do me any harm,” replied Tim, “and there was something else to look at.”
“Eh? What?”
“Don’t look at the wood, Rifle, or they may rush out and throw spears at us.”
“Who?—savages?” whispered Rifle.
“Yes; there are some of them hiding in that patch of trees.”
“Nonsense! there isn’t room.”
“But I saw something black quite plainly. Shall I fire?”
“No,” said Rifle, stoutly. “It would look so stupid if it was a false alarm. I was scared at first, but I believe now that it’s all fancy.”
“It isn’t,” said Tim in a tone full of conviction; “and it would be ever so much more stupid to be posted here as sentry and to let the enemy come on us without giving the alarm.”
“Rubbish! There is no enemy,” cried Rifle.