Thus the contest was kept up for over an hour. But few shots were interchanged on either side, each party becoming more careful in their action. Young Leland remained at his window, and kept a close watch upon his field; but no human being was seen. Zeb laughed, ducked his head, and made numerous threats toward his enemies, but seemed to attract no notice from them. Now and then Rosalind spoke a word to her brother, but the suspense which the silence of their enemies had put them in, sealed their lips, and, for a long while, the silence was unbroken by either. They were startled at length by the report of Zeb's rifle, and the next minute he appeared among them, exclaiming: "Gorra mighty! I shot out my ramrod. I seen a good chance, and blazed away 'fore I thought to take it out. It went through six of 'em, and stuck into a tree and hung 'em fast. Heigh! it's fun to see 'em." "Here, take mine, and for God's sake, cease your jesting!" said Leland, handing his rod to him. "Wish I could string some more up," added Zeb, as he rammed home his charge. "Yer oughter seen it, Miss Rosa. It went right frough de fust feller's eye, and den frough de oder one's foot, den frough de oder's gizzard, and half way frough de tree. Gorra, how dey wriggled! Looked just like a lot of mackerel hung up to dry. Heigh!" At this point Leland discharged his gun, and said, without changing his position: "They are trying to approach the house. Go, Zeb, and attend to your side. Be very sharp!" "Yes, I's dar, stringing 'em up," he rejoined, as he turned away. "Hark!" exclaimed Rosalind, when he had gone. "What noise is that?" Leland listened awhile, and his heart died within him as he answered: "Merciful Heaven! the house is on fire! All hope is now gone!" "Shall we give ourselves up?" hurriedly asked Rosalind. "No; come with me." "Hurry up, massa, dey's gwine to roast us. De grease begins to siss in my face a'ready," said Zeb, as he joined them. The fugitives retreated to the lower story, and Leland led the way to a door which opened upon the kitchen, at the end of the house. His hope was that from this they might have a chance of escaping to the wood, but a short distance off, ere they were discovered. Cautiously opening the door, he saw with anxious, hopeful joy, that no Indians were visible. "Now, Rosalind," he whispered, "be quick. Make for the nearest trees, and if you succeed in reaching them, pass to the river-bank and wait for me. Move softly and rapidly."