that they were discovered, were making their way in the direction of our
camp, evidently endeavouring to keep themselves concealed. He advised
that we should gallop off on our horses, and leave our baggage and the
other animals to their fate, as it would be impossible to defend the
camp against so overwhelming a force. To this neither Dick nor I was
inclined to agree, though of course it made us anxious for the arrival
of our friends, when we hoped, by showing a bold front, to drive back
the enemy.

We at once brought in our horses and mules, and tethered them in the
rear of the camp; then calling on our Indians to assist us, we felled a
couple of trees, which we placed so as to form a barricade in front. It
would afford us but a slight protection, but it was better than nothing.

We now looked out with more anxiety than ever for our friends, for they
certainly ought to have returned to the camp some time before this. It
was important not to be surprised, and knowing the stealthy way in which
the savages were likely to approach, we were aware that any moment we
might hear their fearful war-whoops, and find ourselves engaged in a
desperate struggle for life. To prevent this, Dick proposed sending out
the Indians to scout and ascertain the exact position of the enemy.
They went more willingly than I should have supposed; but I remembered
not being very well satisfied with the expression of their countenances.
Dick and I were thus left alone in camp. To save ourselves from being
shot down without warning, we took up our position behind the logs, with
the spare rifles by our sides. Here we sat, expecting every moment the
return of our Indians. We waited in vain. Darkness was coming on. Our
position was indeed critical. If the savages, as reported by the scout,
were in the neighbourhood, at any moment they might be down upon us. We
now began to fear that our Indians had fallen into their hands.
Perhaps, also, such might have been the fate of our friends. We had
been sitting thus for an hour or more, and had become very hungry, when
Dick proposed going to the fire to obtain some venison which had lone
been roasting there. He brought it, and I need not say that it was
devoured with considerable satisfaction. "Another piece won't do us any
harm," I observed, as I made my way towards the fire. I was returning,
when what was my dismay to see half-a-dozen dark forms leap over the
barricade and place themselves bet