arnival.
Already a gush of music, elicited by fair fingers from a richly-toned
piano, was borne through an open window into the court below. Then a
clear, sweet voice accompanied the instrument.

"Pooty as a bird, and a plaguy sight nicer," exclaimed the little man
as he frisked about, hitching his horse to an iron-ringed post.

Tom and his friend were shown into the dining-room of the commander
of the fort. The officer was an early riser, and breakfasted betimes.
The mahogany extension table was set with an elegant service.
General McElroy was a tall, slender man, with iron-gray hair and
weather-beaten face. His wife, a richly-dressed, stately lady, sat at
the head of the table, and a boy of seven, in Highland costume, was
at her side, while black Nancy flitted in and out with viands in her
hands.

"Well, my lad," said the general, sedately, "what do you want of me?"
motioning his callers to be seated.

Tom commenced to state the occasion of his calling, and the general's
stolid features lighted up with growing interest; and he said,--

"Wait a moment, my boy; I guess you've a message important enough, and
it will save time for you to relate it to two of us at once;" and
pulling a bell-rope, a soldier appeared, to whom he said,--

"Tell Captain Manly that I wish to see him."

In a moment the last-named personage came in. He was about forty, of
frank, open face, and soldierly bearing. Tom liked him at the first
glance.

"Captain," said the general, "I want you to hear this boy's story.
Commence again, my lad, and state the whole as briefly and connectedly
as you can."

When Tom finished his recital, "You are a brave little fellow," said
the general, "and in my opinion, if you were in the ranks, you would
be sure to be well spoken of;" then turning to the captain, he added,
"This is grave business, Manly, and something should be done for the
settlers whom this boy represents. I heard that an Indian called at
the fort, and tried to make us understand that there was an uprising;
and I suppose it was this Long Hair that the lad tells about, but I
did not attach much importance to what he said. And now, Manly, I want
you to take a detachment of men,--for I think I can depend on you to
do it up right. See that they are well mounted and provisioned, and
that their arms are in good order,--but you understand all about
that,--and go to the relief of the settlement that these villains have
beset."

Then turning to T