With blankets the fire was
beaten out on the sides, but it crept insidiously along between the
timber and earth covering.
In making the roof, branches of pine had been spread over the timber,
and the branches in turn covered with a thick layer of straw to
prevent the earth from filtering between the logs. This material was
as dry as tinder, and held the fire.
The men stood at the loop-holes and compelled the savages to remain
under cover of the out-building, while the four girls exerted
themselves to keep the fire from showing inside. Delay until help
could arrive from Whipple was what all were struggling to gain; but
the increasing heat and smoke showed the defenders at last that they
could no longer put off retiring to the covered way.
The word was given and all entered it, and the men with shovels began
to close the entrance. When it was a little more than half closed the
hole in the roof had become triangular, resembling the space between
two spokes and a felloe of a wheel. On the earth, or felloe side of
the triangle, there was no fire; but the other sides were burning
fiercely.
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