"Well, I think it was an Indian," replied John; who then explained what had passed. "Well, I shouldn't wonder," replied Malachi; "at all events the gate must not be opened to-night, for if it was an Indian you fired at, there is more than one of them; we'll keep all fast, John, and see what it was to-morrow." Mrs Campbell and the girls were much alarmed at this event, and it was with difficulty that they were persuaded to retire to rest. "We will keep watch to-night at all events," said Malachi, as soon as Mrs Campbell and her nieces had left the room. "The boy is right, I have no doubt. It is the Angry Snake and his party who are prowling about, but if the boy has hit the Indian, which I have no doubt of, they will make off; however, it will be just as well to be on our guard, nevertheless. Martin can watch here, and I will watch in the fold." We have before observed that the lodge of Malachi, Martin, and his wife, was built within the palisade of the sheep-fold, and that there was a passage from the palisade round the house to that which surrounded the sheep-fold, which passage had also a palisade on each side of it. "I will watch here," said Alfred; "let Martin go home with you and his wife." "I will watch with you," said John. "Well, perhaps that will be better," said Malachi; "two rifles are better than one, and if any assistance is required there will be one to send for it." "But what do you think they would do, Malachi?" said Mr Campbell; "they cannot climb the palisades." "Not well, sir, nor do I think they would attempt it unless they had a large force, which I am sure they have not; no, sir, they would rather endeavour to set fire to the house if they could, but that's not so easy; one thing is certain, that the Snake will try all he can to get possession of what he saw in your store-house." "That I do not doubt," said Alfred; "but he will not find it quite so easy a matter." "They've been reconnoitring, sir, that's the truth of it, and if John has helped one of them to a bit of lead, it will do good; for it will prove to them that we are on the alert, and make them careful how they come near the house again." After a few minutes' more conversation, Mr Campbell, Henry, and Percival retired, leaving the others to watch. Alfred walked home with Malachi and his party to see if all was right at the sheep-fold, and then returned. The night passed without any further disturbance except the howling of the wolves, to which they were accustomed. The next morning, at daybreak, Malachi and Martin came to the house, and, with John and Alfred, they opened the palisade gate, and went out to survey the spot where John had fired.