"No, you're not. You were for a while, but they've changed their cry now. Listen closely! Can't you make out a new word?" "Now that you call my attention to it, I do. It sounds like 'canwanka.'" "'Canwanka' it is. That's the new name they're calling us and it's not complimentary. 'Canwanka' means coward. First we were women, then worms and now cowards, because we won't give up the aid of our fortifications and allow ourselves to be overpowered by the Sioux numbers. Do you hear anything among the cottonwoods on the creek, Giant?" "Nothing yet, Jim. They keep up such an infernal yelling out thar in front that it will drown out any light sound." "Doubtless that's what it's for." "I think so, too. You don't hev to see them imps among the cottonwoods to know what they're up to. They hev dismounted on both wings, an' they're creepin' forward from the north an' from the south close to the banks o' the creek, hopin' to ketch us nappin'." The Little Giant was facing the south and suddenly his figure became taut. "See something?" whispered Boyd. "I think so, but I ain't quite sure yet. Yes, it's the head o' a warrior, stickin' up 'bout a foot from the ground, an' he'll be the fust to go." Will was startled by the sharp crack of a rifle almost at his elbow, and he heard the Little Giant's sigh of satisfaction. "Straight an' true," muttered the terrible marksman. Then the rifle of Brady, who faced the south, spoke also and his aim was no less deadly. Boyd, meanwhile, held his fire, as the advancing bands among the cottonwoods sank from view. But the band in front in the open uttered a tremendous shout and galloped about wildly. Will, watching them cautiously, thought one of the riders in his curvetings had come within range, and, taking good aim, he fired. The rider fell to the ground, and his pony ran away over the plain. "Good shot, Will," said Boyd approvingly. "And it speaks all the better for you because you were watching for your chance and were ready when it came." After such a hint the shouting band drew back and shouted less. Then the four listened with all their ears for any sound that might pass among the cottonwoods, though they felt that the attack would not come again there for a long time, as the first result had been so deadly. Will took advantage of the interlude, and, creeping past the barrier they had built, went among the horses and mules, soothing them with low voice and stroke of hand. They pressed against him, pushed their noses into his palm, and showed a confidence in him that did not fail to move the lad despite the terrible nature of their situation. "Good lads!" he whispered when he left them and crawled back within the barricade. "How're they behavin'?" asked the Little Giant. "Fine," responded Will. "Human beings couldn't do better. They're standing well under fire, when they're not able to fire back." "Which gives more credit to them than to us, because we can and do fire back."