Page:Barbour--Metipoms Hostage.djvu/303

Rh with six others. I saw no wounds upon them and do not understand.”

“’Twas the lightning!” exclaimed Captain Wheeler. “They lay close by the granary, Pikot?”

“Aye, their bodies be against the wall.”

“So it was, then! The lightning bolt that struck the granary and set fire to it killed them at the same instant. It was the hand of God, neighbors!”

“They did not harm you, Straight Arrow?” asked David anxiously.

“Nay, I but fell that they might think me dead. If you have food, I would eat, for I have traveled fast.”

An hour later, while David and Monapikot talked, word came that the enemy was again about to attack and all returned to their stations. Until just short of noon bullets and flaming arrows spattered against the house, but did no damage to the defenders. In the afternoon one watching from the upper story reported that many Indians were crossing a  field to the southeast as though in retreat. By nightfall it was known with certainty that the siege had been lifted. Despairing of taking the garrison, the Indians retreated  until, the next day, none was to be seen.