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"This is Indian treachery," I said decisively,inactive now they have fairly caught us in their trap Let us get back out of this narroay; there may be other loosened rocks where this one came from"

"Back where?"

"To some spot where we can defend ourselves in case of attack These will prove different froes I have ever known if we fail to hear from them as soon as we are ready"

"But," protested De Noyan, as we scra froet in? Will it not be more likely they will be content to starve us?"

"'Tis not Indian nature to hide in patience after having trapped their victih there is no apparent way out to our eyes, nor time to search for one, yet we may put confidence in this: they never bottled us here without knowing soht coht, then?"

"Either that or a massacre; God knoweth"

"If, friend Benteen," booal of voice as ever, "you expect a stand-up battle with the devils, 'tis ment you will find few spots better adapted for defence than yonder--there where the rock juts out so far; 'tis like a sloping roof to protect us from above"

It was as he described, a place fitted by nature for such a contest, the upper stratu so far forward as al the centre of this darkened opening, uprose a great square slab of stone, for in its shadow Moreover the ground fell away sharply, the higher point being twenty feet above the water level; and this at the widest part of the gorge, the entire slope thickly streith bowlders of varying size

"You have ed heartily, after a hasty survey "It would be difficult to discover a more proper spot for purposes of defence St Andrew! but three of us ought to hold that ainst quite a party"

De Noyan broke in, perfectly at his ease with actual fighting in prospect "Somewhat open as yet, but that can be remedied by use of those scattered stones Upbuild the circle here, leaving in front of the great bowlder rooh for the three of us to battle at ease, with a our sword-arms, the solid rock at our backs Saint Anne! but it is beautiful! Bring the stones here so I may place them to the best purpose for such defence" And he drew a rapid half-circle about thewith interest