“A trap!” cried Chris wonderingly. “What could they catch up here?”
“Enemies,” replied the American, as he stood looking down and then up.
“What are you thinking?” said the doctor quickly.
“Only this, sir. Perhaps I’m wrong, but you see this is a stronghold, and I can’t help thinking that this is the only way into it. There was the first row of dwelling-places, got at only by a ladder, up which the enemy had to fight their way, and they seem to have killed all that were defending that part before fighting their way up to the second row. There they did the same, and here must have been the way up to the top part, which they tried to make stronger still. You see, it’s rather a ticklish bit up the side there, and plenty of room all round for those who defended the place to use spears and stones to beat down those who came against them. Just look, it wouldn’t only be driving them back, but knocking them off into a hole or trap where they’d be quite done for.”
“But if that were the case this hole would be piled-up with the remains of the enemy,” said Chris eagerly.
“That’s so, my lad, and we can easily prove it. I’m going down to see.”
“What, down into that horrible pit?” cried Ned. “I should have thought you had had enough of going down for the water.”
“I did, squire; but there’s no water here. All’s dry, and I fancy there’s a bottom to it. There didn’t seem to be any where the water went down. First of all, though, doctor, if it was a corn-store or granary there’d be steps like those that go up, going down.”
“Certainly,” said the doctor.
“And from where we stand, so that the people could fetch up sacks full or baskets.”