Another stone struck on the roof, and soon a third struck the door! Then several seemed to fall on the roof at once, which led us to surmise that there was more than one person concerned in the attack. Both Addison and Tom kept their eyes at the cracks, looking out to see if any of our assailants showed themselves. "They are standing out there in that hazel clump, just beyond the other cabin," Addison muttered. "I can see the bushes move there, every time a stone is thrown." Just then a tremendous thump came against the door! "I'll let them know they can't pelt us like that!" exclaimed Tom, taking up the gun. "Open the door just a crack, Ad, so I can push the muzzle out." "I would not fire right at the bush," said Addison. "But fire high to let them know we are armed." Tom thrust out the gun--and next instant we were all nearly deafened by the report! Immediately following the report, too, there came a loud cry, a cry that thrilled me through and through, for I thought that I recognized the voice. Theodora cried out, "Oh, that's Halse! You've shot him! You've shot him!" "That did sound a little like Halse!" cried Willis. We were terror-stricken, yet uncertain. Addison cautiously opened the door and stepped out. Tom and I followed him. Willis, however, caught up the gun and began hastily to reload it. "Halse!" Addison at length called out. "Are you there, Halse?" Theodora followed us out and also Kate. "Oh, I'm so afraid he's killed!" Theodora cried out, almost sobbing. Several of us called out; but there was no reply; and we could now hear no movement in the hazels. "Do let's go and see," implored Theodora; and then Addison and Thomas took brands from the camp-fire and, waving these about, went out cautiously towards the bush clumps. We kept close behind them, Willis with the gun loaded; he was afraid that this was some trick to draw us into an ambush. But on reaching the hazels, there was nothing to be found, save three round stones as big as a man's fist or bigger, evidently brought there from the bed of the stream, to throw at the cabin. "Oh, dear!" exclaimed Theodora. "I suppose he has dragged himself away somewheres. I know he was hit by the way he cried out." "I did not aim right at the bush," said Tom; "but I suppose the gun may have scattered." "Plague take him!" exclaimed Willis. "I don't much care if he is hit." "Oh, don't talk so!" cried Ellen. "No; don't talk so," said Catherine. "If he is hit and has crept away, we must find him if we can." "Of course," said Addison who was peering about on the ground, "we will do all we can to find him and care for him, if it really was he." "Halse! Halse!" Tom shouted, as loudly as he could. "Answer, Halse, if you are hurt! We will take care of you!" There was no reply. "He may be dead by this time!" lamented Theodora.