ng to the quick orders and the curious ringing sound made
by the ramrods as the men reloaded.

The firing was not rapid, our men seeming to have had instructions to be
very careful and only fire when they saw a good chance; but it was kept
up steadily, and it was evident that the Indians had not succeeded in
gaining a footing as yet.

"Let's run and tell my father what's going on," I said. "He'll be so
anxious."

I made for the tent, with Pomp following, and found my father standing
at the entrance, supporting himself on Hannibal's arm.

"Ah, George, my boy," he said, excitedly. "It's hard not to be able to
help. Who is at the front?"

"At the front?" I said, wonderingly.

"Yes. Is any one protecting the palisade between the two points
attacked? Go and see how many are there; and if few, tell Colonel
Preston to draw the General's attention to the fact. If there are
people there, ask his forgiveness for my interference. It is solely
from anxiety for our safety."

I ran off, followed by Pomp, and soon found Colonel Preston and gave him
my father's message, as he was leading some more men to where the firing
was fiercest.

"Yes, yes, of course," he said, angrily. "It is not likely it has been
forgotten."

I drew back at his words, and felt that I should like the General to
have heard my father's message; and just then I came upon Morgan
running, loaded with ammunition, to the other side.

"Where is the General?" I asked.

"Over here, lad, where I'm going. Don't stop me."

But I did stop him to tell him my father's words.

"Of course it is!" replied Morgan, as sharply as the Colonel had spoken.
And I have often thought about it since--that such a slip should have
been made by two gentlemen, both of whom had had great experience in
military matters. But, of course, in the excitement of the double
advance, and with so few men at their call, it was easy to think of
nothing but repelling that attack, the more especially as there were men
posted all round.

My answers were so unsatisfactory for taking back to where my father
was, that I determined to go over to the part in question, and see how
it was for myself.

As I hurried on, my course lay round the heap of ashes and burnt wood
which had formed the block-house; and curiously weird it all seemed to
be, with the flashes and heavy reports of the pieces to right, and left,
mingled with the savage yells of the attacking Indians, who, as far as I