“His sharp eye recognized that I was the most important of the three,” said Robert lightly.

“Every fellow is mighty important to himself,” said Willet, “and he can’t get away from it.  Tayoga, do you think you see figures moving on the other bank there, up the stream?”

“Two certainly, others perhaps, Great Bear,” replied the Onondaga.  “I might reach one with my rifle.”

“Don’t try it, Tayoga.  We’re on the defense, and we’ll let ’em make all the beginnings.  The sooner they shoot away their ammunition the better it will be for us.  I think they’ll open fire pretty soon now, because the night is growing uncommon bright.  The stars are so big and shining, and there are so many of them they all look as if they had come to a party.  Flatten yourselves down, boys!  I can see a figure kneeling by a bowlder and that means one shot, if not more.”

They lay close and Robert was very thankful now for the logs they had dragged up from the water, as they afforded almost complete shelter.  The crouching warrior farther up the stream fired, and his bullet struck the hollow above their heads.

“A better aim than they often show,” said Willet.

More shots were fired, and one buried itself in the log in front of Robert.  He heard the thud made by the bullet as it entered, and once more he was thankful for their rude breastwork.  But it was the only one that struck so close and presently the savages ceased their fire, although the besieged three were still able to see them in the brilliant moonlight among the bowlders.

“They’re getting a bit too insolent,” said the hunter.  “Maybe they think it’s a shorter distance from them to us than it is from us to them, and that our bullets would drop before they got to ’em.  I think, Tayoga, I’ll prove that it’s not so.”

“Choose the man at the edge of the water,” said Tayoga.  “He has fired three shots at us, and we should give him at least one in return.”

“I’ll pay the debt, Tayoga.”

Robert saw the warrior, his head and shoulders and painted chest appearing above the stone.  The distance was great for accuracy, but the light was brilliant, and the rifle of the hunter rose to his shoulder.  The muzzle bore directly upon the naked chest, and when Willet pulled the trigger a stream of fire spurted from the weapon.

The savage uttered a cry, shot forward and fell into the stream.  His lifeless body tossed like dead wood on the swift current, reappeared and floated by the little fortress of the three.  Robert shuddered as he saw the savage face again, and then he saw it no more.

The savages uttered a shout of grief and rage over the loss of the warrior, but the besieged were silent.  Willet, as he reloaded his rifle, gave it an affectionate little pat or two.

“It’s a good weapon,” he said, “and with a fair light I was sure I wouldn’t miss.  We’ve given ’em fair warning that they’ve got a nest of panthers here to deal with, and that when they attack they’re taking risks.  Can you see any of ’em now, Tayoga?”