“I don’t think their arrows could reach them,” said Griggs thoughtfully; “but the brutes mean some mischief, and the sooner we begin to teach them that they are trespassing the better. Can you help me to take a shot at them? Or are you too stiff?”
“I can manage,” said Chris, and following the American they encountered Ned returning from the lookout.
“Indians,” he cried. “I’ve looked. They’re after the ponies and mules again.”
“Have you given the alarm?” cried Chris anxiously.
“No; I came on with the glass. Do you want to use it, Griggs?”
“No,” was the reply. “I’m going to shoot, and that will give all the alarm we want.”
They proceeded to the second terrace, where the movements of the Indians grew clearer, and going down behind a stone the American took a long and careful aim before firing.
“Missed him,” he said angrily.
The word had hardly left his lips before Chris drew his trigger, and the next moment Ned followed his example.
The reports brought the rest of the party of defenders into the cell from which the firing had been directed.