egardless of possible
consequences.

Once more I take this opportunity to thank my young friends for the
kindness with which they have received my former stories, and I
earnestly hope this present tale merits equal commendation.

CAPTAIN RALPH BONEHILL.

_July 1, 1901._

CONTENTS.

I. BOUND FOR THE FORT

II. CAVES IN THE MOUNTAIN

III. AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION

IV. LOST IN THE FOREST

V. THE BIG BLACK BEAR

VI. DARRY MAKES A DISCOVERY

VII. AT HANK LEESON'S CABIN

VIII. THE STEALING OF THE HORSES

IX. ARRIVAL AT THE FORT

X. THE RESULT OF A SWIM

XI. SOMETHING ABOUT DRILLING

XII. DEER HUNTING

XIII. A FISH AND A SNAKE

XIV. OVER THE MOUNTAIN TOP

XV. THE RESULT OF A HURRICANE

XVI. CAPTAIN MOORE'S ADVENTURE

XVII. THREE PRISONERS

XVIII. BENSON PUTS SOME MEN IN A HOLE

XIX. ESCAPING IN THE DARKNESS

XX. SOMETHING ABOUT WHITE OX

XXI. A TRICK OF THE ENEMY

XXII. IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY

XXIII. A PANTHER IN CAMP

XXIV. THE SKIRMISH IN THE BRUSH

XXV. A LUCKY MEETING

XXVI. THE ENEMIES WITHIN THE FORT

XXVII. SIGNALS AND WHAT FOLLOWED

XXVIII. THE DEMANDS OF THE ENEMY

XXIX. OPENING OF THE BATTLE

XXX. SIGNALS IN THE DARK

XXXI. BURNING OF THE STOCKADE

XXXII. RELIEF AT LAST--CONCLUSION

List of Illustrations

DEFENDING THE FORT.

"NOW DARRY'S RIFLE SPOKE UP, AND THE BEAR WAS HIT AGAIN"

"AT LAST HE PUT THE GUNS IN THEIR HANDS AND LET THEM MARCH WITH THE
PIECES."

"HE LEAPED BETWEEN THEM AND CAUGHT THEIR RIFLES."

BOYS OF THE FORT.

CHAPTER I.

BOUND FOR THE FORT.

"How many miles have we still to ride, Benson?"

"About fifty, Joe. But the last half is pretty much uphill, lad."

"Can we make the fort by to-morrow night?"

"Well, we can try," answered the old scout, who sat astride of a
coal-black horse and rode slightly in advance of his two youthful
companions. "It will depend somewhat on what the weather does."

"Why, do you think it is going to rain?" put in Darry Germain. "I'm sure
it looks clear enough."

"Aint no telling what the weather will do in this valley," answered Sam
Benson. "It may stay clear for a week, but to me the signs don't exactly
p'int that way," and he shook his head gravely.

"A little rain wouldn't hurt," said Joe Moore. "A couple of miles