But soon I heard that same sound on the still air. I rose,
dressed myself, but still I could see no form like that of an Indian.
Just as I was on the point of abandoning my fears as idle and childish,
I cast my eyes through an aperture between the logs; and saw the dusky
forms of several Indians moving about the yard. I sprang to the bedside,
and awoke Ralph, and in a few moments more, Roe, Ralph, and myself,
stood with ready guns, waiting for a chance to shoot. A shot passing
through one of the savages, told the rest they were discovered; and now
a regular firing began. The Indians simultaneously uttered a fiendish
shout, such as no person can imagine who has not heard the Indian
war-scream; and then brandishing their tomahawks rushed upon the house
and began hewing at the door. In a moment we were all down stairs, and
our fire became so fatal that they were forced to retire several times;
but with desperate courage they returned to the attack. I never
experienced the feeling of utter despair but once in my life; and that
was then. Roe came running down stairs (whither he had gone for more
ammunition) and with a face white from terror, informed us that the
ammunition was expended.
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