hing the destruction going on.

"Better seek cover, my lads," cried Colonel Preston. "Get your pieces,
and be ready. We can do no more there. It must burn."

The men showed their military training by rapidly getting their piled
weapons, and taking their positions behind the barricades which
surrounded the temporary quarters of the women and children.

"I don't think they'll attack," said Colonel Preston to the General, who
came up now.

"No," he said, calmly. "The men are standing well to their places round
the palisades, but I have no fear of an assault to-night. By the way,
how is Bruton?"

I heard the words, and my throat seemed to grow dry.

"Bruton? I don't know. Tired out, I suppose."

"What!" said the General; "didn't you know?"

"Nothing; only that we have all been working like slaves to put that
fire out."

"Great heavens, Preston, didn't you hear?"

"Hear?" cried the colonel, excitedly; "is he wounded?"

"Not wounded, but badly hurt, I fear. Didn't you see a man fall from
the roof right into the flames?"

"Yes, but--"

"It was Bruton."

"Ah!"

I felt as if I should have dropped, but at that moment, as I was trying
to get over the horrible feeling of sickness, and to make my way to the
place the doctor had been forced to take as his temporary hospital, I
felt a thrill of delight run through me, for a voice exclaimed--

"Gentlemen, are you all mad?"

"Bruton!" exclaimed Preston, hoarsely; "then you are not badly hurt?"

"Badly enough," said my father; "but look--look! Of what are you
thinking?"

"Thinking?" cried the General. "We can do no more; the place is
doomed."

"But are we to be doomed too, man?" cried my father, furiously; and he
looked as if he might have had the question he had first asked put to
him. For his face was blackened and wild, his long hair burned, and a
terrible look of excitement was in his starting eyes.

"Doomed?" exclaimed the General and the colonel in a breath, as the men
gathered round.

"Yes; the women--the children. This enclosure will be swept away. Have
you forgotten the powder--the magazine?"

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR.

There was an involuntary movement amongst those within hearing at this,
and for the moment it was as if every one present was about to seek
safety in flight, as my father stood pointing wildly toward the blazing
fort. Then, recovering himself from the shock of my father's words, the
General exclaimed, hoarsely--

"I