The next second the admirable counterfeit of a death-yell pealed from the Wyandot’s throat, and the twain shrunk back into the rushes again to await the result of their stratagem.
“They’re comin’ back, chief,” said the trapper in a low tone. “Now, come with me. We’ll git between ’em an’ our friends if we can.”
Certain sounds told them that at least a goodly portion of the outlaws were returning, and silently they entered the water and waded away.
The sounds of battle toward Strong’s had died in the gloom, and an impenetrable vail of fearful mystery hung over the fate of the fugitives.
CHAPTER III.
THE BATTLE AT STRONG’S.
Strong’s block-house so frequently alluded to in the foregoing pages, had been erected as a place of refuge for the inhabitants of the “fire-lands.” It was a large structure, capable of affording shelter for fifty families, and built with a view to strength and endurance. The heavy logs were secured in the old dovetail fashion, and the roof was doubly clapboarded. The second story projected five feet over the first, thus enabling the defenders to fire upon any foe that might attempt to force the lower doors. The Huron river lay fifty yards from the front palisade of the block-house, which stood at the foot of a hill, cleared by the settlers’ axes.
The bottom of the hill was selected for the building site, owing to the proximity of water, and a well also yielded the life-giving fluid within the fort. The strong palisade that surrounded the “house of refuge,” was a double security, and the settlers felt proud of their work when completed. A stalwart settler named Zebulon Strong had superintended the erection of the stronghold, hence its rather imposing cognomen.
There were other block-houses in the “fire-lands”; but none were near enough to afford assistance to Strong’s in a case of imminent danger.
“I guess the families are all in now,” said Zebulon Strong, to a young man who was standing by a loop-hole, in the second story of the backwoods fort.
“All in, captain? bless you, no. The Logans are out yet.”