"That shot was aimed at us, was n't it?"

"I reckon it was, but it never got here. Don't let that worry you; if
an Indian ever hits anything with a gun it 's going to be by pure
accident." He stared out of the window. "They 're liable to bang away
occasionally, and I suppose it is up to us to make some response just
to tell them we 're awake and ready. But they ain't firing expecting
to do damage--only to attract attention while they haul off their dead.
There 's a red snake yonder now creeping along in the grass--see!"

"No," hysterically, "it is just black to me."

"You have n't got the plainsman's eyes yet. Watch, now; I 'm going to
stir the fellow up."

He leaned forward, the stock of the Henry held to his shoulder, and she
clutched the window-casing. An instant the muzzle of the rifle wavered
slightly, then steadied into position.

"Have to guess the distance," he muttered in explanation, and pulled
the trigger.

There was a lightning flash, a sharp ringing report, a yell in the
distance, followed by the sound of scrambling. Hamlin laughed, as he
lowered his gun.

"Made him hump, anyway," he commented cheerfully. "Now what comes
next?"

"I--I do not know," she answered, as though the question had been asked