But should they, who were at work, once allow themselves to be outflanked, their exertions would be all in vain.

And then those wretches might light a dozen fires.

The work was so hard, so hot, and often so hopeless, that the unhappy young squatter was more than once tempted to bid his men desist and to return to his homestead.

The flames would not follow him there.

He could, at any rate, make that safe.