“We expected you to make a better fight than that,” replied one of them; and it was doubtful to me whether they could assign any good reason why they had not stood by him.
“I did the best I could, and you did not come near me. I’m in a pretty pickle,” sputtered Waddie, as he glanced at his soiled garments.
“We’ll give it to him yet,” said one of the party, as he glanced at me securely posted on the bridge.
“Where is he?” asked Waddie.
I was pointed out to him, and the sight of me inflamed all his zeal again.
“Come on, fellows; and stand by me this time, I wish I had my revolver here.”
I was very glad he had not that formidable weapon about him, though I don’t think he could have hit me if he had fired at me; but he sometimes struck the mark by accident. Waddie took a club from the hand of one of his supporters, and rushed towards the bridge. Though he was not a master of strategy, he could not help seeing that I was well posted, and he halted suddenly before he reached the brook.
“We must drive him from the bridge, where we can have fair play,” said Waddie.
I did not just then see how this was to be done; but I was soon able to perceive his plan. The scion led his forces to a position on the brook above me, and, taking some stones from the shallow stream, began to pelt me with a vigor which soon rendered my place untenable. Several of the missiles hit me, though I was not much hurt by them. Under these circumstances, I was helpless for defensive purposes, for I had nothing with which to return the fire. It was useless for me to stand there, and be peppered with stones. I concluded to retreat in good order, and brought myself off without any material damage.
