Walt’s suggestion was approved and soon the little party came to the swamp. It was particularly dense and of large extent. To ride around it would have consumed much valuable time. Consequently they plunged into its fastnesses and urged their horses to make their best speed and reach the open country again as quickly as possible.
The party was strung out in a long line, with John Mason at the head. No one spoke and the only sound to be heard was the heavy breathing of the horses and the sucking of their hoofs as they pulled them out of the soft, wet earth.
Suddenly a rifle shot rang out through the still air and the band of scouts came to an abrupt halt.
CHAPTER XVII
A PERILOUS UNDERTAKING
Every man immediately dismounted. There was a rush for shelter and in a remarkably short space of time the whole band had placed themselves behind trees or clumps of bushes. Not one had abandoned his pony, however, for without a mount no man would stand much chance if it should come to a question of escape.
The shot had been fired at John Mason, who was in the lead, but he had escaped unharmed. Meanwhile, not a sound broke the stillness which rested over the swamp. Many moments elapsed and still no significant sound was heard. Joseph was standing behind a large oak tree, well screened by a heavy growth of bushes. He had quickly tied The Swallow to an overhanging bough and he hoped that no one of the Indians would discover the presence of the pony.
Robert had taken his station in a position similar to Joseph’s and about ten yards distant from him. The remainder of the band were placed at varying intervals over a space of nearly a hundred and twenty-five yards. Every man held his rifle ready for immediate use.
Joseph glanced eagerly about him. He could see his comrades crouching behind their shelters but no sign of the enemy appeared. It gave the young pioneer a queer feeling to see all these men hiding and yet not to know from what they were trying to conceal themselves.
He looked again at his brother. This was just the kind of situation to appeal to Robert and he was greatly enjoying himself. He loved adventure with a spice of real danger in it, and consequently was in high spirits. He caught Joseph’s eye and smiled. Then he waved his hand at his brother. As he did so there came the sharp report of a rifle and a bullet clipped a piece of bark from the tree just above his head. Robert drew back hurriedly.
Instantly the white men’s rifles spoke, all firing at the puff of smoke which disclosed the position of the Indian sharpshooter. Whether or not any of the bullets reached their mark could not be seen, but this was the signal for a general fusillade. The redmen replied to this volley with a volley of their own and from that time on the firing became general on both sides. Above all the noise arose the frequent war whoops of the Indians, and both Robert and Joseph shuddered at the sound. They had heard it often before and every time it had been followed by misfortune.