Munro was cautious
yet quick in the discussion, and, while his opponent with rough sarcasms
taunted him upon the strength of his own position, and the utter
inadequacy of his strength to force it, he contented himself with sundry
exhortations to a peaceable arrangement--to a giving up of the
possessions they had usurped, and many other suggestions of a like
nature, which he well knew would be laughed at and rejected. Still, the
object was in part attained. The invaders, becoming more confident of
their strength from this almost virtual abandonment of their first
resort by their opponents, grew momently less and less cautious. The
rifle was rested against the rock, the sentinel took out his tobacco,
and the two parties were almost intermingled.
At length the hour had come. A wild and sudden shriek from that part of
the beleaguered district in which the women and children were
congregated, drew all eyes in that direction where the whole line of
tents and dwellings were in a bright conflagration.
Pages:
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315