But the four were reloading with feverish haste. Henry, however, found time to say to Silent Tom Ross:
"Thank you for the shot that saved me."
Tom shook his head.
"'Twuzn't me," he said.
"Then you, Paul."
"I shot at an Indian, but not that one. It was a warrior ten yards away."
"Then it must hev been you, Jim."
"It wuzn't, though. I wuz too busy with a warrior off thar to the left. When that feller wuz about to throw his tomahawk I'd done fired."
"And so it was none of you. Then I'm to be thankful that we've a friend outside. Nobody but Shif'less Sol could have fired that shot."
"An' jest in time," said Long Jim. "Good old Sol. He's settin' off somewhar in the bushes now, laughin' at the trick he's played 'em."