“Yes; four barrels at once,” said Dallas.
“And some seasoning directly after from our pepper-boxes.”
The dog was so quiet now that Abel trembled for his fate; but he and his companion, as they lay there in the darkness, had something else to think about, for the firing went on steadily, and they wondered it did not bring up some of the miners from their claims here and there.
“Surely they’re not too cowardly to come to our help,” thought Dallas.
Four shots were fired now in quick succession, as if the enemy were anxious to bring matters to an end, and Abel whispered, “Try it directly they fire again.”
“Yes,” said Dallas; and directly after Abel heard the handle of the galvanised iron bucket chink softly.
Then came two more shots, and in an instant Dallas dashed the bucket against the door with all his might, uttered a heavy groan, and was silent.
The firing outside ceased now, showing that the ruse had been successful; and the two young men held their breath as they listened for the nearer approach of the enemy, which they felt sure must now be imminent; but they listened a long time in vain.
At last, though, the crackling of the snow outside, as from the pressure of a heavy foot, warned them that their time was coming, and they lay ready with the muzzles of their pieces ready to direct at door or window, as the necessity might arise, and their revolvers on the floor by their knees.
Which was it to be—door or window? They would have given years of their lives to know at which to aim, and they felt now what guesswork it must be.