The doctor met his son’s eyes, and then turned to look in the direction from which their companion would be bound to arrive if he had managed to escape over the terraces to make for the gully.
“Don’t judge rashly, my boy,” said the doctor. “He has had very little time yet.—Are you all ready for the enemy?”
“Yes,” came back quickly enough; but there was no enemy visible.
“Could you see who sent that arrow, Wilton?”
“No, but there are two ponies grazing up yonder. I fancy they must belong to the last Indians we saw come by.”
“It looks like it, as only two shots have come. But we shall have the whole body coming back soon.”
“Close upon a hundred,” said Wilton, “and we are five.”
“Yes, five, in a strong fortress, with modern weapons against instruments of barbarism; and what is more, we have dealt the enemy such a blow as will take them long enough to get over.”
“But I wish we were all together, father, instead of being divided. Wouldn’t it be better if we tried to get to them?”
“No,” said the doctor quietly. “We are quite right here for the present, and perhaps we shall have our side strengthened soon by the coming of friend Griggs.”