30 CHRISTMAS IN AMERICA.

“The door was still partly open, and the wind blew into the
room. It caused the candle to flare up and to burn rapidly.

“ Squammaney warmed ‘his hands. Occasionally he would
turn his head slowly, with an evil look in his black eye, as it
swept the company.

“The candle was forgotten. The only thought of each one
was what Squammaney intended to do.

“All the tragedies of the war just ended were recalled by
the older members of the company. Were there other Indians
outside? :

“No one dared rise to close the door or to attempt to escape.

“Suddenly Squammaney turned to my grandmother.

«« White squaw get cider. Go—Go! ;

“The Indians threw open their blankets. They were armed.

“The sight of these armed warriors caused Silas to shake in
a strange manner, and his. fear and agitation became so con-
tagious that the children began to tremble and sob. When the
sound of distress became violent, Squammaney would sweep
the company with his dark eyes, and awe it into a brief
silence.

“ My grandmother alone was calm.

“She rose, and walked around the room, followed by the
eyes of the two Indians.

“As soon as the attention of the Indians, attracted for a
moment by the falling of a burnt stick on the hearth, was
diverted from her, she whispered to Silas, —

«Go call the men.’

“The attitude of Silas on receiving this direction, as she
recalled it afterward, was comical indeed. His hands were
spread out by his side, and his eyes grew white and wild. He
attempted to reply in a whisper, but he could only say, —

“« Ba-b-b-ba!’