"It seems to me," he said, "that I've heard o'
them four fellers you're talkin' about, an' ef I wuz to hunt all
over this planet an' them other planets that Paul tells of, I
couldn't find four other fellers that I'd ez soon have with me."
"We've got to stand here to the death," said Henry.
"You're shorely right," said Shif'less Sol.
The hands of the two comrades met in a grip of steel.
The other three were called and were told of the plan, which met
with their full approval. Then the news was carried to
Carpenter, who quickly agreed that their course was the wisest.
He urged all the fugitives to their feet, telling them that they
must reach another dry place before night, but they were past
asking questions now, and, heavy and apathetic, they passed on
into the swamp.
Paul watched the last of them disappear among the black bushes
and weeds, and turned back to his friends on the oasis. The five
lay down behind a big fallen pine, and gave their weapons a last
look. They had never been armed better. Their rifles were good,
and the fine double-barreled pistols, formidable weapons, would
be a great aid, especially at close quarters.
"I take it," said Tom Ross, "that the Iroquois can't get through
at all unless they come along this way, an' it's the same ez ef
we wuz settin' on solid earth, poppin' em over, while they come
sloshin' up to us.
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