"I think you had better send them down
to the enclosure with the others; they might be driven off if they
are left up here, and I do not see that we can require them."
"But what about the cattle, papa?" Charley asked.
"It would be a serious loss if they were driven off, especially the
milch cows. If you like, I will go down with Terence, and we can
take up our station among them. It would be a strong post, for the
Indians of course could not attack us on horseback; and with my
carbine, and Terence's gun, and a brace of revolvers, I think we
could beat them off easily enough, especially as you would cover us
with your guns."
"I had thought of that plan, Charley; but it would be dangerous,
and would cause us up here great anxiety, I imagine, too, that as
no doubt their great object is vengeance, they will attack us first
here, or they may make an effort upon the cattle at the same time
that they attack here. They will not begin with the animals. They
will find it a very difficult business to break down the fence,
which they must do to drive them out; and while they are about it
we shall not be idle, depend upon it."
The preparations were soon made and it was agreed that Mr. Hardy
and Hubert should go the rounds alternately with Charley and
Fitzgerald.
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