"
Obed laughed, despite the grimness of their situation.
"That is a problem," he said, "but if you can't work a problem it will
work itself if you only give it enough time."
The morning was without result, but in the afternoon they saw figures
stirring in the wood and concluded that some movement was at hand.
"Ned," said Obed, "I think we've either won in the contest of patience,
or that something else has occurred to disturb the Lipans. Don't you see
horses as well as Indians there among the trees?"
"I can count at least five horses, and I've no doubt there are others."
"All of which to my mind indicates a rush on horseback. Perhaps they
think they can gallop over us. We'd better lay our pistols on the logs,
where we can get at 'em quick, and be ready."
Ned's sharp eye caught sight of more horses at another point.
"They're coming from all sides," he said.
"You face to the right and I'll face to the left," said Obed, "and be
sure your bullet counts. If we bring down a couple of them they will
stop. Indians are not fond of charging in the open, and, besides, it
will be hard for them to force their horses in among these logs and
trees of ours."
Ned did not answer, but he had listened attentively.
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