A rifle bullet would not reach from any point of the forest to the cluster.
They drew up all the fallen wood they could find, helping to turn the ring of trees into a kind of fortification, refilled their water bottles from the pool, and sat down to wait, with their rifles and pistols ready.
Ned felt a kind of relief, the relief that comes to one who, having faced the worst so long, now knows that it has been realized.

The terrible chase had gone on for nights and days.

Always the Lipans were behind them.

Well, if they were so fond of pursuing, now let them come.
By the aid of the dead wood they were fairly well protected from a fire in any direction, and the light was sufficient for them to see an enemy who attempted to cross the open.

There was a certain grim pleasure in the situation.
"They've run us down at last," said Obed, "but they haven't got us yet.
Before you scalp your man just catch him is a proverb that I would recommend to the Lipans.