Thus far the enemy had trusted to the blazing arrows; but, as the trapper gained the stream, a volley was poured into the block-house.
The next moment it was returned by the besieged, and numerous cries told Wolf-Cap that some of the foe had fallen.
“I don’t like to leave the boys,” said the trapper, sadly, pausing in his flight, and listening to the battle which had now opened furiously. “And Huldah is yonder in the midst of it all. But the Indians wait for me at the cave. Three can do more than one. I wish the two war here now; then—”
There was the quick, sharp snapping of a twig, and Silver Hand and his assistant stood before the trapper.
“We no go to cave,” said Silver Hand. “Hide here ’while to watch fight. But look, Wolf-Cap! roof all on fire. Why don’t pale-faces put it out? They got water in fort.”
“Yes, but the traitor has disabled them somehow. I’m afraid it’s all day with the brave fellows. But they shan’t die alone!” and the trapper started forward.
“Silver Hand and Golden Cheek go with Wolf-Cap,” said the Wyandot, and a moment later the trio were hurrying toward the seemingly doomed structure.
That side of the roof which looked to the hill was in a furious blaze, which threw a lurid glare upon the battle-ground, and the discharges of musketry by both parties resembled a pitched battle.
Suddenly the artillery of heaven added its thunder to the fight, and great drops of rain began to fall thick and fast from the inky clouds.
But let us return to the fort, and see what followed Levi Armstrong’s discovery of the poisoning of the well.