"And they don't know yet whether or not they would like to disport themselves on our lawn."
"That is just it. They have doubts about their welcome."
"That being so," said Paul, in the light, jesting spirit that he loved, "I'll just wait until they knock at our door. Meanwhile I'll take a drink from that lucky cistern of ours."
He bent his head into the barrel, and as he drank he felt fresh strength and courage rushing into his veins.
"It was great luck, wasn't it, to find this barrel?" he said.
"It certainly was," replied Henry, and his words came from the bottom of his heart. "Now you watch while I take a drink."
Paul did so, but he noticed nothing unusual in the woods. The faint signs that Henry read with such an unerring eye were hidden from him. But his skill was sufficient to cover all the cleared space. No warrior could pass there unseen by him. Henry rejoined him.
"You watch from one side and I'll take the other," he said.
They did so, but the single room of the cabin was so small that they were only a few feet from each other, and could talk together in low tones.
"It will be a trial of patience," said Henry. "The Indian always has more time than anybody else in the world, and he is willing to make the most of it."