ose to take it by treachery, had it been
attacked.

The fresh arrivals, after taking some food, lay down to get the rest
they so much required, Captain Mackintosh promising to call them should
any signs of the approaching enemy be discovered. Each man on the
ramparts was provided with a lantern, kept shaded until required, to
throw a light on the ground round the fort, which, as was rightly
expected, would tend greatly to disconcert the assailants, should they
creep up with the expectation of effecting a surprise.

Hour after hour went by.

"They intend, I suspect, as I thought they would yesterday morning, to
make their attack a short time before daylight, when they fancy we shall
be weary with watching, and off our guard," observed Captain Mackintosh
to Loraine, who had joined him on the platform.

"Then we may expect them before long," said Loraine, looking at his
watch by the light of a lantern.

Scarcely had he spoken, than an arrow flew between him and Captain
Mackintosh. He had just time to shout to his people to get under cover,
when a whole flight came whistling over their heads, followed by a
terrific war whoop, the most fearful sound of which the human voice is
capable.

The men in the garrison shouted in return, several of them well
accustomed to the noise giving vent to derisive laughter.

"The painted savages fancy that we are to be frightened by yells like
yon," cried Sandy Macpherson, an old Scotchman, who had been since his
youth in the service of the company. "They may shoot their arrows and
shout as loud as they like, but it won't help them to get inside the
fort, lads, I ken. Wait till we can see their heads, and then send a
shower of bullets among them, but dinna fire till the captain gives the
word, an' then blaze away as fast as ye can load."

"Bravo, Sandy! That's just what we must do," cried Hector, who was
passing at the moment, having been sent round by his father to see that
the men were at their proper stations.

A shout from Sandy, of "There they are!" and the word to fire, produced
a blaze of light round the fort.

The Blackfeet, many of whom had muskets, fired in return, and then
countless dark forms were seen dashing forward, some to attempt to scale
the walls, others to force open the gate.

CHAPTER NINE.

So resolutely carried on was the attack of the Indians, that Captain
Mackintosh could not help fearing that it must succeed. Two of his men
had been killed,