“We’ve got rations enough for a week or more, on a pinch,” said Rodney. “We’ve got our regular things and also that deer Barton shot early this morning, and some rabbits.” “How about water?” asked another. “We’ll have to see about that,” said Sam Barringford. Satisfied that the Indians did not contemplate an immediate attack, the old frontiersman, accompanied by Rodney, made a tour of the cave, lighting a torch for that purpose. In one corner the rocks were found to be very damp, and when some were pulled up a little water trickled forth. “Thar’s a spring thar,” said Barringford, with satisfaction. “We kin do a bit o’ diggin’ an’ then have all the water we wish.” A little later two of the regulars set to work, with pike-poles and shovels, and soon had a hollow made into which the water flowed to a depth of several inches. The water was brought up in a dipper, and proved to be both clear and wholesome. As the time slipped by the whole party became more composed, and Nell and the twins clamored for their delayed dinner. A meal was prepared in the cave, which the men ate while on the watch. “Oh, Rodney, will the bad Indians catch us in here?” asked Nell, as she came up to her elder brother. “I think not, Nell,” he answered, hopefully. “I wish I was home.” “So do I, Nell—wish it more for your sake than for my own.” “Tom wants to go out and fight the bad Indians,” said one of the twins. He had picked up a rifle resting against the wall and was trying to shoulder the long weapon. “Here, you give me that gun!” cried Rodney, reaching for it. “Tom, you mustn’t play with the guns. One of ’em might go off and hurt you.” “Tom ain’t ’fraid of no gun,” said the little boy. “Want to shoot the Indians.” “You keep quiet and stay with Mrs. Dobson or Nell.” “How long will we have to stay here, Rodney?” asked his little sister. “I can’t answer that question, Nell. It depends on the Indians. Perhaps they’ll get tired of watching us and go away.” It was a hard matter to keep the twins quiet, but presently both grew tired of wandering around the cave, and went to sleep on a pair of blankets spread out for them. Mrs. Dobson sat on one of the packs with Nell beside her and her husband not far off. “Oh, Asa, how foolish we were to come out to this western country!” sighed the woman, for at least the fiftieth time. “We should have stayed at home and been content with what we had!” “Ain’t no uset to cry over spilt milk,” grumbled her husband. “I think the Indians will come to-night and scalp all of us!” “Oh, Mrs. Dobson, you don’t mean that!” gasped little Nell. “Don’t scare the little girl, Mrs. Dobson,” put in Casbury, who chanced to be near. “It won’t help matters to git anybuddy worked up.” At last the sun sank in the west and it began to grow dark at the mouth of the cave. Two men were stationed at the spot where the rear opening had been, and all the others gathered at the front. Then Sam Barringford called Rodney to him.