He fancied that the pirates would presently fire another volley into the shadows, and, in a moment of desperate courage, might even come into the forest.
His first thought was correct, as the leader told off the steadier men, and, walking up and down in front of the forest, they raked it for a considerable distance with pistol shots.

All of them, of course, passed well over Robert's head, and as soon as they finished he went back to his beginnings, giving forth the owl's lament.
He heard the leader curse more fiercely than ever before, and he saw several of the men who had been pulling trigger retreat to the fire.

It was evident to him that the terror of the thing was entering their souls.

The night itself, as if admiring his plan, was lending him the greatest possible aid.

The crimson lightning never ceased to quiver and the sullen rumble of the distant thunder was increasing.