violently that any accurate aim the second time was very difficult. Only three fell, but the rest broke from their fastenings in a very frenzy of fear and galloped wildly off, plunging across country at a speed that made any thought of pursuit hopeless.
The men started to follow them, but were recalled by the leader, and came slinking back to cover like whipped dogs.
The loss of the horses was not their only misfortune, however, for in getting the log they had set down their carbines near the gate in a spot which we could cover with our guns. Seeing this, I called again:
"The man who touches one of those guns will be shot!"
The sergeant had plenty of pluck, and, though sorely perplexed by the turn things had thus suddenly taken, was as cool as if he had been on parade.
"What do you want here?" I cried.
"I want to know who's in the house," he said.
"I am. What next?"
"Who else?"
"I decline to say."
"Will you surrender without causing any more trouble?" he asked coolly.
"If you ask that again, you'll stand a good chance of asking no more questions in this world," said I drily. "You had better draw off your men while they are still unhurt."
"You can't hope to beat us off," he said doggedly.
"We can try." At the reply he shrugged his shoulders.
"If you resist you must take the consequences," he called.
"I am quite prepared for that."
