CHAPTER III.


THE REDSKIN ATTACK.

Mr. Welch was with the men, two or three hundred yards away from the
house, when the Indians suddenly sprang out and opened fire. One of
the men fell beside him; the farmer stooped to lift him, but saw that
he was shot through the head. Then he ran with full speed toward the
house, shouting to the hands to make straight for the gate,
disregarding the cattle. Several of these, however, alarmed at the
sudden outburst of fire and the yells of the Indians, made of their
own accord for the stables as their master rushed up at full speed.
The Indians were but fifty or sixty yards behind when Mr. Welch
reached his gate. They had all emptied their pieces, and after the
first volley no shots had been fired save one by the watchman on the
lookout. Then came the crack of Pearson's rifle just as Mr. Welch
shut the gate and laid the bar in its place. Several spare guns had
been placed in the upper chambers, and three reports rang out
together, for Mrs. Welch had run upstairs at the first alarm to take
her part in the defense.

In another minute the whole party, now six in all, were gathered in
the upper room.

"Where are Nelly and Harold?" Mr. Welch exclaimed. "I saw the canoe
close to the shore just before the Indians opened fire," the watchman
answered.