feel well enough to get up."

At that moment a shadow darkened the door, and my father came in
quickly, followed by Hannibal.

"George? Hurt?" he exclaimed, huskily.

"Not much, father," I said, "and the doctor says I may get up."

"Thank Heaven!" muttered my father. Then aloud, "I have only just heard
from Hannibal here. You gave me a terrible fright."

My father took hold of my hands to hold them in his for a few moments,
as he looked full in my eyes; and I wondered at it, for I was not old
enough then to understand his emotion, nor to think I was bad enough to
stop in bed.

Ten minutes later I was out in the enclosure, and learned a little more
about what had taken place after I was knocked down insensible. How
there had been several hand-to-hand encounters where the Indians had
determinedly climbed over and gained a footing, from which they were
dislodged directly, with the result that several were killed and
wounded--four of our party also having ugly wounds.

As I was going across the enclosure, hearing how the enemy had been
finally beaten off, and had retreated into the forest, where it was not
considered safe to follow them, Colonel Preston met us, looking jaded
and anxious, but his face brightened up as he saw me, and he came up and
shook hands.

"Why, George Bruton, you are a lucky fellow," he cried, laughingly.
"Two wounds. This is grand. Of course he must be promoted, Bruton, as
soon as peace is proclaimed."

"Why, George," said my father, as we went on, "what's the matter?"

"I don't like to be laughed at, father," I said; "and Colonel Preston
was making fun of me, as if I were a little child."

"He did not mean it unkindly. There, come and have some light
breakfast, and you must keep out of the sun."

CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN.

That day passed quietly enough, with scouts going and coming to report
that the Indians' trail was plainly to be seen going along the north
bank of our little stream, as if they were making right away for their
own country, and after the scouts had gone as far as they dared, they
had returned with their good news. This was quickly debated in a little
council, and the result was a firm determination not to put any faith in
appearances, but to keep everything on a war footing, scouting carefully
so as not to be surprised by an enemy full of cunning and treachery; and
though there was some little demur amongst those whose houses and
plantations were farthest fr