The Indian's arm pulled me up countless times, and his face, usually so calm, was now sharp with care.

"You cannot fail here, brother," he would say, "On our speed hang the lives of all." That put me on my mettle, for it was Elspeth's safety I now strove for, and the thought gave life to my leaden limbs.
Every minute the air grew heavier, and the sky darker, so that when about five in the afternoon we passed the Gap and struggled up the last hill to the stockade, it seemed as if night had already fallen.
Elspeth and Ringan were there, and the two trappers had just returned.
I could do nothing but pant on the ground, but Shalah cried out for news of Grey.

He heard that he had gone into the woods with his musket two hours past.

At this he flung up his hands with a motion of despair.
"We cannot wait," he said to Ringan.

"Close the gate and put every man to his post, for the danger is at hand." Ringan gave his orders.