They sat in silence, each content with the other's nearness, as they watched the leaping flames, which made the only light in the room. And this was reflected in a thousand scintillating sparks from the brass fire-dogs that upheld the logs, and in the handles of the shovels and tongs, scrubbed and polished with all the power of arm possessed by Shubar, the Indian wife of old Noah. Suddenly a lithe, girlish form slipped through the half-open door, coming with a tread as noiseless as the leaping shadows about the far corners of the room, and Joane, the Squaw Sachem's granddaughter, glided to the hearth and stood between John Devereux and his wife. So accustomed were they to such things that neither of them was startled, but kindly bade her welcome. Crouching on the hearth, she turned her dusky face and glittering eyes toward John Devereux, and said quietly and in a low voice, "Strange boat--big boat in harbor, English Chief." He looked troubled, and Anne glanced at him apprehensively, while Joane continued, now speaking more rapidly, "Gran'mudder sent me tell better keep door shut--better get gun." "Thou dost mean that the Squaw Sachem sent thee to tell there be danger?" John Devereux asked, half rising from his chair, and looking toward the door. "She thinks they mean evil?" "Don't know how answer. English Chief talk too fast--ask too many questions all same time. Go slow--then Joane hear right--tell him right." And she smiled up into his face while she touched the slender forefinger of her left hand with the fingers of the right, as if waiting to enumerate his questions. "Thy grandmother sent thee?" The girl nodded, and touched a second finger. "She thinks the men on the ship may do us harm?" "Say don't like looks--got bad black faces," replied Joane, scowling as though to illustrate her meaning. "Have any of them come ashore yet?" he asked anxiously. "Yes--so many," holding up seven brown fingers, "come 'shore. Get water to drink--then go back to ship when sun shines. But no go 'way yet--no mean to go. Tell gran'mudder want somethin' eat. Take our corn, and pay no money." "Pirates!" John Devereux exclaimed, now starting to his feet, while he looked at his wife, whose face paled. He hurried across the room, bolted and barred the stout door, and examined the window fastenings, the Indian girl still crouching by the hearth and watching him placidly, as if a pirate raid were a matter of small moment. But her sparkling eyes, and the heaving bosom agitating the many bead necklaces hanging from throat to waist, betrayed her. "See thou to the children, sweetheart, and warn the maids," John Devereux said to his wife, as he took down his gun and examined it carefully, "while I go to the men and see that the cattle be safe, and the back of the house made secure." "Good!" exclaimed Joane, with quick approval. "English Chief no sleep--heap good. Give Joane gun, too."