Taking steady aim, my hands as firm now as though they had never trembled with suspense, I pulled the trigger. Following the report came a sound like unto the falling of a heavy body, and, regardless of the necessity that we remain silent, I said, exultantly, to Giles March: “That is the second viper we have wiped out!” It was like a tonic to me, being able to do some execution, and I found it difficult to restrain myself from rushing forth boldly, so eager was I to put an end to this skulking method of warfare. Again Mistress Morley performed her work, and I took up a loaded musket. “We are equal to twenty of them at this rate, for, with three women to load the weapons, surely we will be able to fire as fast as they can give us the opportunity,” I whispered to Giles, and he nodded without speaking, much as to say that I was forgetting prudence because of the blood-fever which had come upon me. Another long time of anxious waiting, and then I felt a hand upon my shoulder, when, turning quickly, I saw Esther Hinchman crouching close behind me. “What is it?” I asked, nervously, and she replied: “Nothing, save that I wanted you and Giles March to know we were ready to do whatsoever lay in our power, and await the time when we may be needed.” “That I knew before, dear girl,” I said, feeling wondrously heartened because of the words, and a sensation near akin to jealousy came into my heart when I saw her go over to Giles March to give him cheer also, as if I alone had the right to hear such words from her. That my comrade’s courage was strengthened by Esther’s coming, if, indeed, it had needed strengthening, I knew when he whispered to me: “Go back and speak with the lads. They must be in sore need of cheering, and I can do all that is called for here.” There was really no good reason why two of us should remain on guard while the Indians remained so well concealed, not daring to rush the place, and I acted on his suggestion, kneeling beside Elias Shendle a moment later, to say: “Everything is well with us, lad, and I believe we may be able to hold off such force as is concealed near by, until Master Bartlett and those with him shall come to learn why we failed to join them.” “Can you get any idea how many there are in front of the cave?” Elias asked, and I told him what had been done--that we had succeeded thus far in killing the only two who had, as I believed, gotten a view of the entrance to our retreat. “I wish I might take a hand in the matter, instead of being thus worse than useless,” he said, and pressing his hand, I replied, warmly: “You are far from being useless yet awhile, Elias Shendle. Do your best at getting on your feet once more, and thus will you hearten us all. I am yet looking to see the time when our company of Minute Boys, or as many as are alive, will be able to do their full share toward driving from the valley those who are even now ravaging it.”