At intervals in the remainder of the night the warriors fired either arrows or bullets, doing no farther damage except the slight wounding of one man, and when day came Willet and Robert, worn to the bone, sought a little rest and sleep in the blockhouse.  They knew that Golden could not be surprised while the sun was shining, and that the savages were not likely to attempt anything serious until the following night So they felt they were not needed for the present.

Robert slept until nearly noon, when he ate heartily of the abundant food one of the young cooks had prepared, and learned that beyond an occasional arrow or bullet the forest had given forth no threat.  His own spirits rose high with the day, which was uncommonly brilliant, with a great sun shining in the center of the heavens, and not a cloud in the sky.  Wilton was near the blockhouse and was confident about the siege, but worried about Tayoga.

“You tell me that the Indians won’t go away,” he said, “and if you’re right, and I think you are, the Onondaga is surely shut off from Fort Refuge.”

Robert smiled.

“I tell you for the last time that he will come at the appointed hour,” he said.

A long day began.  Hours that seemed days in themselves passed, and quiet prevailed in the forest, although the young soldiers no longer had any belief that the warriors had gone away.

CHAPTER VI

THE RETURN

It was near the close of a day that had been marked by little demonstration from the enemy, and the young officers, growing used to the siege, attained a philosophical state of mind.  They felt sure they could hold the palisade against any number of enemies, and the foresight of Willet, Robert and Tayoga had been so great that by no possibility could they be starved out.  They began now to have a certain exultation.  They were inside comfortable walls, with plenty to eat and drink, while the enemy was outside and must forage for game.

“If it were not for Tayoga,” said Wilton to Robert, “I should feel more than satisfied with the situation.  But the fate of your Onondaga friend sticks in my mind.  Mr. Willet, who knows everything, says we’re surrounded completely, and I don’t wish him to lose his life in an attempt to get through at a certain time, merely on a point of honor.”

“It’s no point of honor, Will.  It’s just the completion of a plan at the time and place chosen.  Do you see anything in that tall tree to the east of the palisade?”

“Something appears to be moving up the trunk, but as it’s on the far side, I catch only a glimpse of it.”

“That’s an Indian warrior, seeking a place for a shot at us.  He’ll reach the high fork, but he’ll always keep well behind the body of the tree.  It’s really too far for a bullet, but I think it would be wise for us to slip back under cover.”

The sharpshooter reached his desired station and fired, but his bullet fell short.  He tried three more, all without avail, and then Willet picked him off with his long and deadly rifle.  Robert shut his eyes when he saw the body begin its fall, but his vivid imagination, so easily excited, made him hear its thump when it struck the earth.