Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/96

 a shy attitude, I remember, as if it was about to address us, but felt restrained by diffidence. I wanted to pack it up to take south, but Tib reminded me that the heavy clothing of the Middle Ages, paraded in a Hudson Bay concession in an exposition, would appear about as plausible as a snow-storm in hades. It was while discussing the matter, and fingering the heavy breastplates and gauntlets, that we nearly had nervous prostration, only the scare this time came from without.

"‘Men talking!' cried Tib, jumping to the door and making it fast without knowing why he did so. Then peeping through the small glass light he added: 'Indians! They can't be from around here, or they'd fear Dawley's spook.'

"Then I took a peep and beheld a score of swarthy and thoroughly untrustworthy-looking men standing on the edge of the lake, pointing their spears and several ancient fire-arms at the smoke now curling merrily from our chimney.

"‘Tan-Nics, Tib,' I whispered.

"‘They're coming up. Let's anticipate 'em,' he replied; and opening the door a bit he thrust forth his amiable countenance and asked what they wanted. For reply he got a bullet that knocked moss from the door-post.

"‘They behave like census-takers,' I observed, hysterically.