A young lieutenant saw from a window two
fires spring up and burn like torch lights against the sky. They
were houses blazing before the Indian brand.
"Look at that!," he cried, pointing with an accusing finger, "and
we are here, under cover, doing nothing!"
A deep angry mutter went about the room, but Colonel Butler,
although the flush remained on his face, still shook his head.
He glanced at Tom Ross, the oldest of the five.
"You know about the Indian force," he exclaimed. What should we
do?"
The face of Tom Ross was very grave, and he spoke slowly, as was
his wont.
"It's a hard thing to set here," he exclaimed, "but it will be
harder to go out an' meet 'em on their own ground, an' them four
or five to one."
"We must not go out," repeated the Colonel, glad of such backing.
The door was thrust open, and an officer entered.
"A rumor has just arrived, saying that the entire Davidson family
has been killed and scalped," he said.
A deep, angry cry went up. Colonel Butler and the few who stood
with him were overborne. Such things as these could not be
endured, and reluctantly the commander gave his consent. They
would go out and fight.
Pages:
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194