Fortunately both Gravity Gimp and Mr. Brainerd knew the peculiar
construction of their refuge, and instant precautions were taken.
"Keep back as far as you can," said the elder, "and stay close to the
wall on the right."
His order was obeyed, Habakkuk McEwen and the African both moving in
that direction.
"You come too, papa," insisted Eva, catching hold of the arm of her
father, who smilingly took a step or two.
"Yes," added Maggie, "if we all place ourselves beyond reach, why should
not _you_ do the same?"
He explained the situation.
"If the Indians get to that mass of rocks opposite, they can shelter
themselves and shoot into the cavern until there is not one of us
left."
"But is it necessary for you to stay out there, and draw their fire to
keep them away from us?"
"Not exactly, but we must see that they do not creep to the spot; before
doing so, they must pass under our aim, and it will require no great
marksmanship to prevent them."
Thereupon, directing Gravity and Habakkuk to keep strict watch upon the
place, with their rifles cocked, Mr. Brainerd deliberately reloaded his
gun, and shifting his position so as to screen himself from the bullets
that were certain to be sent into the place, he sat like a cat watching
for a rat to come out of its hole.
The fugitives talked in low tones, for there was something in the
uncertainty that was impressive.
Now that they were removed from imminent danger, they could breathe with
some satisfaction, though sobered by their peril.
"It's all that Jake Golcher's doings," said Aunt Peggy, who was at the
extreme rear of the cavern, with one arm around the neck of Eva and the
other inclosing that of Maggie.
"I shouldn't wonder if you are right," replied Maggie; "he must be a
wicked man indeed."
"Umph!" exclaimed the maiden, with a sniff, "there ain't a more
scand'lous villain that ever drawed the breath of life, and I know what
I'm saying, and jus' to think, you had a chance and didn't shoot him."
"But, aunty--"
"Shet up, don't interrupt me," broke in the relative, with a vigorous
shake of the arm inclosing the neck of Maggie.
"How many times have I told you not to interrupt me when I am talking?
Don't you know what's good manners?"
"But, aunty," said Maggie, softly, "I don't see how I can talk at _any_
time without interrupting you."
Eva giggled, but fortunately Aunt Peggy did not catch the full meaning
of the demure remark, and she said, rather sharply:
"It's easy enough to tell when I'm talking by just listening, and when
I'm talking you must keep still; but I want you to remember that that
piece of burglary on your part has got to be settled."
"What do you mean, aunty?"
"I told you you deserved your ears cuffed, and when we get to a place
where I can do it with some comfort to myself, I am going to cuff them,
_that_ you can depend on."
There could be no question about the earnestness of these words, and
Maggie, like an obedient child, said nothing, glad to await the time
when her aunt should punish her for sparing the wretch who was now
trying to hound them to their death.
"I don't know but that I deserve it," said the niece to herself, and we
may as well confess that we are inclined to agree with the views of the
aunt.
"Oh, that Jake Golcher," she added, with a shiver, "I'd like to get a
chance at him!"
And just then she would have made it uncomfortable for the Tory, had he
been within reach.
The truth was, Golcher was one of the worst of the invaders of Wyoming
Valley. Like many others, he joined a horde of Indians in attacking his
former neighbors.
As we have intimated, he had sat at the same table with the
Brainerds--he had been given money by Mr. Brainerd himself, for he was a
shiftless scamp, hating work like a veritable tramp, and he had never
received an unkind word from the charitable head of the household, who
sheltered him many a time when no one else would give him room.
With the egotism of his nature, he had ventured to pay court to young
Maggie Brainerd, who could scarcely credit his effrontery until he made
a direct proposal of marriage.
Even then, the high-spirited girl was so touched with compassion for the
man, that she refused him with all the kindness of her nature--showing a
feeling, indeed, that would have won the respect of any person claiming
to be a man.
But he stumped off muttering vengeance, and here he was, less then a
year later, with a company of red men, seeking the lives of his former
friends.
Among those who figured in the war of the Revolution, there were none
so utterly inexcusable as the Tories, who, like all renegades, were more
bitter in the warfare they made upon the American colonies, than were
what might be termed our natural enemies.
But for the Jake Golcher named, it may be doubted whether the little
band of fugitives would have suffered serious disturbance after fording
and swimming the Susquehanna.
There was enough on the western bank to keep the foe occupied all that
night and the succeeding day, without crossing to the wilderness to hunt
for victims.