At last I saw the fixed reflections of the stars in the surface of the
pool diffuse themselves into myriads of sparkling atoms. A
considerable body of Indians must be in the water, but none appeared
in sight. Yes, they were crossing in two columns, to the right and
left of the notch, concealed by the high shore, and would shortly
unite and charge up the slope. Baldwin ran to the stable to tell the
men there that the Apaches were coming, and to be on the alert.
The whoops of the flanking party redoubled, and were accompanied by a
desultory firing, which the four men opposing them answered in the
same way. Then I saw the sparkling water of the pool cut off from my
sight, and knew that a body of men stood on the slope between us and
the creek.
"Frank, show the light! Men, ready!"
The lantern flashed from the window, quickly answered by a flash on
the bank, and a mass of red flame threw its luminous tresses skyward,
bathing the whole scene in light. In the notch, half-way up the slope,
stood a momentarily paralyzed group of nearly a hundred painted
warriors.
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