he Indians
were now at the ditch, and one had advanced as far as the stockade
itself. They were yelling like demons, and now the desperadoes began to
show themselves, confident that the fort would soon be taken.

"They haven't got a corporal's guard to defend it!" cried Matt Gilroy.
"Nearly everyone of those inside is sick. Come on!"

The noise was now deafening, for soldiers and Indians were discharging
their weapons as rapidly as possible. The red men had brought with them
a long board, to which cross-pieces were nailed. This board was now set
slantingly against the stockade, and a dozen warriors rushed upon it.

"Down with them!" shouted Captain Moore. "Heave the plank off!"

A dozen soldiers started to do his bidding. The first that showed
himself was shot down, and the second shared a similar fate. But others
were more successful, and into the ditch went the board with a loud
splash, carrying the Indians with it.

The soldiers set up a shout of triumph, and as the red men fell back
those who could gain a point of vantage fired on the enemy. By this
movement three Indians were left in the ditch dead and several others
were wounded. A desperado was also brought down. Those that were
uninjured lost no time in seeking cover; and thus the first advance on
the fort came to an end.

All told, the attack had lasted nearly an hour, and when it was over it
was found that everybody was hot, dry, and dusty. But, fortunately,
water was to be had in plenty, and a drink refreshed all. The dead and
wounded were carried away, and the latter were made as comfortable as
the limited means of the fort afforded.

"They won't come back in a hurry," said the young captain. "The Indians
have had their eyes opened."

"How soon can those re-enforcements come, Will?" asked Joe.

"I don't think they can get here before to-morrow noon, if as soon.
They'll have a long journey before them, and a body of several hundred
soldiers can't travel as fast as a single person."

"Of course they'll be cavalry," put in Darry.

"I hope so--if the cavalry was at Fort Prescott when Leeson got there."

Colonel Fairfield was much disturbed by the shooting, and he insisted
upon sitting up and hearing the particulars.

"Good!" he murmured. "Keep them off another twenty-four hours and we
shall be saved," and then he went off in another stupor.

All was now as quiet as if not an enemy was within a mile of the fort.
But the soldiers remained on guard,