Here Master Bartlett had thrown up a barricade of half-burned logs and such other materials as he could come at handily. The entrance was not closed so thoroughly but that we could catch a glimpse of the river through the bushes which grew outside. “It seems good to see the sun shining, even though we cannot feel its warmth,” she said, musingly, and I laughed softly, for verily had she had enough of the sun’s heat and to spare while coming down from the cave, because then we were like to have roasted. “If it please God, you shall soon be able to sit in the glare of the sun whenever it may be your fancy to do so,” I said, feeling at the time strong enough to fight John Butler’s wolves single-handed, so her life was at stake, and before it was possible to reply, even had she been so minded, there suddenly came into view on the river a veritable fleet of canoes, heading as if to make land near the ruins of Eben Towle’s house. I should say, speaking well within bounds, that there were no less than sixteen boats, all filled to the utmost of their capacity with Indians and white men, and it was not needed that we should question as to why they had come. These were John Butler’s Tories and red wolves, sent to learn the secret of the cave on the mountain where so many of their companions had met their fate, and I really trembled with what was very like fear as I thought of what must have been the result had we not found another hiding-place just as we did. Each canoe carried five or more passengers, and when that large force stood in front of the cave we could not have hoped to hold it many hours, however desperate may have been our resistance. Now, however, they had come in vain, and when the terror aroused by what might have happened had passed away, I laughed aloud as I saw in fancy the slow, cautious advance up the mountainside, the stealthy approach, and the rush upon the cave where remained no living being. Nearer and nearer the fleet approached the shore, and, laying her finger on her lips, Esther glided noiselessly away from me to warn, as I fancied, our comrades against the lightest sound lest the secret of our hiding-place be betrayed. When she returned all the lads were with her, and we watched our enemies as they came ashore, drew the canoes high out of the water, and then disappeared beyond our line of vision toward the forest. There was not one in all that small army who showed signs of joy at taking part in such an expedition. Every face was grave, while many had an anxious look, and it was not difficult to believe they had been ordered to perform the duty, rather than having volunteered, for, according to such a story as the frightened savages must have told, they were about to have an encounter with those who dealt in magic.