" Hubert's face grew a little
paler, for he was not naturally of so plucky or pugnacious a
disposition as his brother. However, he only said, "Well, papa, if
they do come we shall all do our best."
"I am sure you will, my boy," said his father kindly. "But there is
no fear if it comes to fighting. We three with our arms can thrash
a hundred of them. What I am thinking of is our cattle, and not
ourselves. We will take good care against a sudden surprise; and
it's more than a whole tribe could do to take Mount Pleasant if we
are prepared."
"Do you mean to tell mamma and the girls, papa?"
"I mean to tell them that it is necessary for a time to be on their
guard, that the girls are on no account to venture to ride out
alone, and that they must not stir out of the enclosure even as far
as the hen-house, without first of all going up to the top of the
lookout to see that all is clear. We must see that, in future, the
sheep and cattle and horses are all driven at night into their wire
enclosures--we have not been very particular about the cattle
lately--and that the gates are fastened and padlocked at night. It
will puzzle them to get them out. Our own three horses I will have
in future kept within our own enclosure, so that they may be always
at hand, night or day.
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