They would not seek shelter for themselves while others were suffering.

A young lieutenant saw from a window two fires spring up and burn like torch lights against the sky.

They were houses blazing before the Indian brand.
"Look at that!" he cried, pointing with an accusing finger, "and we are here, under cover, doing nothing!" A deep angry mutter went about the room, but Colonel Butler, although the flush remained on his face, still shook his head.

He glanced at Tom Ross, the oldest of the five.
"You know about the Indian force," he exclaimed.

"What should we do ?" The face of Tom Ross was very grave, and he spoke slowly, as was his wont.
"It's a hard thing to set here," he exclaimed, "but it will be harder to go out an' meet 'em on their own ground, an' them four or five to one." "We must not go out," repeated the Colonel, glad of such backing.
The door was thrust open, and an officer entered.
"A rumor has just arrived, saying that the entire Davidson family has been killed and scalped," he said.
A deep, angry cry went up.