They had their backs to the wall, but this wall was of solid stone, and it also curved around on either side of them.

Moreover, he had a chance to regain his breath which was once more coming in hot and painful gasps from his chest.
"Let's lie down, Ned," said Obed, "and pull up that log in front of this." Near them lay the stem of an oak that had fallen years before.

All the boughs had decayed and were gone, so it was not a very difficult task to drag the log in front of them, forming a kind of bar across the alcove.
As it was fully a foot in diameter it formed an excellent fortification behind which they lay with their rifles ready.

It was indeed a miniature fort, the best that a wilderness could furnish at a moment's notice, and the fighting spirit of the two rose fast.

If the enemy came on they were ready to give him a welcome.
But the two heard nothing in the dense forest in front of them.