The trapper, as had been his invariable custom, had carefully noted the contour of the surrounding prairie, before they had committed the important act of encamping in the gorge or hollow. He remembered the grove at some distance, and was satisfied that the barbarians had left their horses there, while they had gathered behind the wall to wait the critical moment. By the time these thoughts had fairly taken shape in his brain it was beginning to grow light, and with a premonitary yawn and kick he rose to his feet and began stirring the fire. He was well aware that although he and his companions were a fair target for the rifles of their enemies, yet they would not fire. Their plan of action did not comprehend that, though it would have settled everything in their favor without delay. 'I declare I have been asleep!' exclaimed Brainerd, as he began rubbing his eyes. 'Yes. You're a purty feller to make a sentinel of, ain't you?' replied the trapper, in disgust. 'I hope nothing has happened.' answered Johnny, feeling that he deserved all the blame that could be laid upon him. 'Not much, exceptin' while yer war snoozin' the reds have come down and got us all in a nice box.' The boy was certain he was jesting until he saw the expression of his face. 'Surely, Baldy, it is not as bad as that?' 'Do you see that ar?' demanded the trapper, pointing toward the wall, which the youngster could not help observing. 'How comes that to be there?' 'The red-skins put it thar. Can yer steam man walk over that?' 'Certainly not; but we can remove them.' 'Do yer want to try it, younker?' 'I'm willing to help.' 'Do yer know that ar' somethin' less nor a hundred red-skins ahind them, jist waitin' fur yer to try that thing?' 'Good heavens! can it be possible?' 'Ef you don't b'l'eve it, go out and look for yerself, that's all.' The boy, for the first time, comprehends the peril in which he had brought his friends by his own remissness, and his self-accusation was so great, that, for a few moments, he forgot the fact that he was exposed to the greatest danger of his life. By this time Ethan and Mickey awoke, and were soon made to understand their predicament. As a matter of course, they were all disposed to blame the author of this; but when they saw how deeply he felt his own shortcoming, all three felt a natural sympathy for him. 'There's no use of talkin' how we came to get hyar,' was the philosophical remark of the trapper; 'it's 'nongh to know that we are hyar, with a mighty slim chance of ever gettin' out ag'in.' 'It's enough to make a chap feel down in the mouth, as me friend Jonah observed when he went down the throat of the whale,' said Mickey. 'How is it they don't shoot us?' asked Hopkins; 'we can't git out of their way, and they've got us in fair range.'