As the rocket burst Mr. Hardy had gazed eagerly over the country,
and fancied that he could see a dark mass at a distance of half a
mile. This he guessed to be the Indians' horses.
By this time the blue-light was burning low, and Mr. Hardy,
stretching his hand up, lit another at its blaze, and planted the
fresh one down upon it. As he did so a whizzing of numerous arrows
showed that they were watched. One went through his coat,
fortunately without touching him; another went right through his
arm; and a third laid Charley's cheek open from the lip to the ear.
"Keep your heads below the wall, boys," their father shouted. "Are
you hurt, Charley?"
"Not seriously, papa, but it hurts awfully;" and Charley stamped
with rage and pain.
"What has become of the Indians round the house?" Hubert asked.
"They are making no fresh attack."
"No," Mr. Hardy said; "they have had enough of it. They are only
wondering how they are to get away. You see the fence is exposed
all round to our fire, for the trees don't go within twenty yards
of it. They are neither in front nor behind the house, for it is
pretty open in both directions, and we should see them. They are
not at this side of the house, so they must be standing close to
the wall between the windows, and must be crowded among the trees
and shrubs at the other end.
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