Suddenly a firebrand leaped from farther up the hill, and flew in a wide curve into the middle of the stockade.

It fell on the partition between the horses and ourselves and hung crackling there.

A shower of arrows followed it, which missed us, for we were close to the edges of the palisade.

But the sputtering torch was a danger, for presently it would show our position; so Bertrand very gallantly pulled it down, stamped it out, and got back to his post unscathed.
Yet the firebrand had done its work, for it had showed the savages where the horses stood picketed.

Another followed, lighting in their very midst, and setting them plunging at their ropes.
I heard Ringan curse deeply, for we had not thought of this stratagem.
And the next second I became aware that there was some one among the horses.