The shot at this distance was a frightful one to the attacking party; but they considered for a moment only, and then, slightly wavering, were again urged forward by the chief.
“Take the reserve guns.” They had no time to reload before the rush was again on.
This second shot produced the indecision necessary to finish the reloading of the guns.
“Fire the moment you reload, and make every shot count,” was the next injunction.
“The Kurabus are coming.” Ralph saw the movement.
“The noise of the volleys is bringing them up, and we are going to be in for it now,” exclaimed Blakely. “Well, let us give the best we have.”
“This will be the best notice we can give to the Professor,” replied John, who was now on all sides of the wagon, and inspecting the guns and ammunition.
“Reserve your fire, and wait until you can get absolutely sure marks. From this time on we will fire as fast as we can reload.”
At no time in the history of their struggles did they face such a critical period. To the north were the Tuolos, to the southwest the Illyas, and to the south the Kurabus.
It is true that the two latter tribes were being pursued by the Brabos and Osagas; but the coming up of their allies, the Tuolos from the north, put quite another phase to the situation.