They were doing things wrong, with everybody rushing to wherever an Indian appeared. That left three walls unguarded all the time, and they must inject some system into their defense. Besides, there was another and very deadly peril that could be lessened. No bullet could tear through the logs, but one might penetrate the chinking or the windows.
Joe called, "Emma, get the kids on the floor, will you? You womenfolk had better get there, too. Lie behind the sill log and you can't get hit."
Emma said, "I'll get them down."
"We'd better do things a little differently, too. Tad, you watch the north side. Henry, do you want the front or the rear?"
"The front for me!" Winterson bit his words off and spat them out. "They might have another pow-wow and I know I can reach 'em the next time. How about the south wall?"
"One of us'll have to slide over there now and again to watch."
Barbara said steadily, "Mother, will you bring me a pillow?"
Emma brought it and, very gently, Barbara transferred Ellis's bandaged head from her lap to the pillow. She stood and for a long moment looked down at him while Ellis moaned fretfully and moved. Then she took his rifle and went to the south wall.
"Bobby!" Joe protested.
"Ellis showed me how to shoot, Daddy, and I will."