The suspense became almost intolerable as he watched the fire, which presently sank until at last only a feeble, flickering blaze was left. Then a figure sprang out of the shadow and ran toward it carrying something in its arms. The next moment there was another crash in a different part of the clearing from where they had heard the first shot, and the figure, dropping its burden, vanished suddenly. "That's Webster," said Harry dryly. "I'm not sure that he meant to miss." In the meanwhile the savage barking of the dog, whom they had scarcely noticed during the last few moments, once more forced itself upon their attention. "Why doesn't your father let the dog get after them?" Frank asked. "I don't know," Harry answered. "It's possible he'd rather not have them routed out from among the trees. If it were only daylight we could stand them off! Have you your watch?" Frank took it from his pocket and rubbed a sulphur match in nervous haste. It went out and he struck another with quivering fingers. A pale glow of light sprang up and he held the watch close against it. "Only four o'clock!" he announced. "There'll be more than three hours' darkness yet." Harry made no answer, and except for the barking of the dog there was silence for a minute or two. It was Frank at last who broke it. "I can't stand any more of this," he said. "Let's go down." His companion seemed to hesitate. "It's not nice, but I don't know what to do. Aunt's in the house, and though Jake's on the lookout somewhere I've a notion that dad would call us if he meant us to come." He broke off and added in a very suggestive tone, "I don't--want--to stay in." "We could go as far as the door, anyway," Frank persisted. They slipped out of the room and made for the kitchen very quietly, but Frank was a little astonished when they reached it, because though there was no lamp burning the front of the stove was open and the faint glow which shone out fell upon Miss Oliver who was sitting close by. A rifle lay upon the table at her side and Jake's shadowy figure showed up near the open window. "Where are you going, Harry?" she asked. Harry stopped and leaned upon the table. "Out into the clearing a little way. After that, I don't know. I don't want to spoil dad's plans by butting in before it's necessary, but I wish he'd told us what to do. You won't mind if we go?" "I've Jake--and this," Miss Oliver answered, quietly pointing to the rifle. "On the whole I think I'd just as soon you tried to find out what is going on, but keep out of sight while you're about it and be cautious." They slipped out, and when they stopped at a short distance from the house Frank touched his companion. "Can she shoot?" he asked. "It's my opinion that she'd beat you at it every time," said Harry curtly.