He laughed, with the excitement of the moment, and nodded. Then they were silent. She knelt by his side and looked through another opening. The women and children had retreated well up the path. The warriors were crowded together, just out of range, talking and shouting excitedly. A moment later a number of these slipped to the rear and ran off between the huts. "What does that mean, M'sieu? Will they come around behind?" "Yes. Watch out, Father. You will hear from them soon." "Very well, M'sieu. It will be hard. There are trees and bushes here for cover." Menard shrugged his shoulders, and made no reply. Time was all he wished. "If the Big Throat started with the first light, he should be here before another hour," he said to the maid, who was watching the Indians. "Yes," she replied. "Is there any corn in the basket, Mademoiselle?" "I think so. I had forgotten." "We shall need it. Wait; I will look." He got the basket, and brought it to her. "There is no time for cooking, but you had better eat what you can. And keep a close watch." "Here, M'sieu." She spread her skirt, and he poured out half of the corn. "You give me too much. You must not." He laughed, and crossed to the priest, saying over his shoulder:-- "Mademoiselle is our new recruit. And the recruit must not complain of her food. I cannot allow it." The moments passed with no sign of action along the line of redskins on the path. They were quieter since the flanking party had started. To Menard it was evident that a plan had been settled upon. In a like position, a dozen Frenchmen would have stormed the hut, knowing that only two or three could fall before they were under the shelter of the walls; but even a large force of Indians was unwilling to take the chance. "Father," called the Captain, "it may be better for you to take the doorway. Mademoiselle and I will watch the forest." "Very well, M'sieu." The exchange was made rapidly. "Will you look out at the sides, as well?" Menard said to her. "Keep moving about, and using all the openings. There are too many chances for approach here." "If I see one, shall I shoot, M'sieu?" He smiled. "You had better tell me first." She stepped briskly about, peering through the chinks with an alert eye. Menard found it hard to keep his own watch, so eager were his eyes to watch her. But he turned resolutely toward the woods. "M'sieu!" she whispered. They had been silent for a long time. "To the left in the bushes! It looks like a head." "Can you make sure?" "Yes. It is a head. May I shoot?" Menard nodded without looking. She rested her musket in the opening between two logs, and fired quickly. "Did you hit him?" "Yes, I think so." She was breathless with excitement, but she reloaded at once. A moment later Menard fired, and then the priest.