To each was allotted his proper station, in case of attack, and we kept watch in succession like soldiers in war.

Ringan, who had fought in many places up and down the world, was our general in these matters, and a rigid martinet we found him.

Shalah was our scout, and we leaned on him for all woodland work; but inside the palisade Ringan's word was law.
Our plan was to make this stockade the centre for exploring the hills and ascertaining the strength and purposes of the Indian army.

We hoped, and so did Shalah, that our enemies would have no leisure to follow us to the high ridges; that what risk there was would be run by the men on their spying journeys; but that the stockade would be reasonably safe.

It was my intention, as soon as I had sufficient news, to send word to Lawrence, and we thought that presently the Rappahannock forces would have driven the Cherokees southward, and the way would be open to get Elspeth back to the Tidewater.
The worst trouble, as I soon saw, was to be the matter of food.