George," said Morgan, quietly.
"That's what we all say, and perhaps we never are in spirit, but our
bodies aren't much stronger than other men's bodies, and there are times
when the enemy gets too strong for us. I've been beaten many a time,
and I've beat many a time. This is one of the times when I've been
beat."

"But we are not beaten yet," I said, excitedly. "When the Indians come
and attack we shall drive them off."

"If we can, my lad--if we can. Eh, my lads?"

"Yes, yes," came in a loud murmur.

"Don't you be afraid about that. As long as our officers can lead us we
shall fight, and some say we shall do our best when we haven't one left
to lead us. In plain honest English, Master George, we shall fire as
long as we can load; when we can't use our guns we shall use our fists,
and when we can't raise an arm we shall kick."

"Yes, I know, I know," I said, excitedly. "But what you are thinking of
it so dreadful."

"So's lying down beat out to let savages knock out your brains, my lad;
and so we've all made up our minds that when the worst comes to the very
worst, it will be an act of kindness to everybody and a big lesson to
the Indians to let settlers alone, and perhaps be the means of saving
the lives of hundreds of poor creatures in times to come, if one of
us--"

"Yes, I know," I half groaned--"sets fire to this powder and blows
everything away."

"That's it, Master George, and the right thing too."

"Oh!" I cried, with a shudder.

"Don't take on, my lad," said Morgan, gently. "It's fate, that's what
it is. We shan't do it till the place is full of Indians, and they've
begun their terrible work; then one touch with a spark and it'll be all
over."

"Morgan!" I cried.

"Ay, my lad, it seems very horrid, and I don't want to have it to do;
but when we're all half dead, and can't lift a hand, it will be a mercy
to every one; and I know if your poor father was here and listening to
what we say, he'd think so too."

"But--but--" I faltered, despairingly, "I don't want to die."

"More don't I, my lad," he said, taking my hand; and I saw by the light
of the burning building that the tears stood in his eyes. "I'd give
anything to live, and go back yonder and work like a man to put
everything straight again, and see my trees and plants growing more
beautiful every day in God's bright sunshine; but if it aren't to be,
Master George, why, it aren't. I haven't been a man who hasn't done his
dut