for they were in the shadow, but Jose had burst a puffball with his hand,
and the dust, flying up, made him sneeze. The Indian turned and saw them.
With a low cry and the spring of a tiger Pierre was at his throat; and in
another minute they were struggling on the ground. Pierre's hand never
let go. His comrades did not stir; he had warned them to lie still. They
saw the terrible game played out within arm's length of them. They heard
Pierre say at last, as the struggles of the Indian ceased: "Beast! You
had Father Halen's life. I have yours."

There was one more wrench of the Indian's limbs, and then he lay still.

They crawled nearer the gate, still hidden in the shadows and the grass.
Presently they came to a clear space. Across this they must go, and enter
the Fort before they were discovered. They got to their feet, and ran
with wonderful swiftness, Pierre leading, to the gate. They had just
reached it when there was a cry from the walls, on which two Indians were
sitting. The Indians sprang down, seized their spears, and lunged at the
seven as they entered. One spear caught Little Babiche in the arm as he
swung aside, but with the butt of his musket Noel dropped him. The other
Indian was promptly handled by Pierre himself. By this time Corvette and
Jose had shut the gates, and the Fort was theirs--an easy conquest. The
Indians were bound and gagged.

The adventurers had done it all without drawing the attention of the
howling crowd without. The matter was in its infancy, however. They had
the place, but could they hold it? What food and water were there within?
Perhaps they were hardly so safe besieged as besiegers. Yet there was no
doubt on Pierre's part. He had enjoyed the adventure so far up to the
hilt. An old promise had been kept, and an old wrong avenged.