, putting my mouth to the
chink where the shutters joined.

"What! Massa Mike!" exclaimed Peter, "is dat you?"

"Yes, yes, open at once," I answered, almost losing patience and
speaking louder than I had hitherto done.

At that moment Boxer had ceased barking. Scarcely had the words left my
mouth than I feared that we might have been heard by the Kentuckians.

Boxer again burst out into a furious bark, very much nearer to us,
showing that he was retreating before the foe. By this time Peter had
opened the shutter, and, assisted by the black, Dan and I scrambled in
at the window. As we did so we heard footsteps, when Boxer, who was a
prudent dog, as well as a brave one, feeling that he had done his duty
in warning us and should be safer inside the citadel than outside, with
one bound followed us into the room.

CHAPTER FIVE.

THE ATTACK ON UPHILL--MY FATHER'S WARNING--THE BEGINNING OF THE FIGHT--
OUR VICTORY--A COWARDLY REVENGE--MR. TIDEY ACTS AS SCOUT--MR. MCDERMONT
RENEWS HIS PROPOSAL TO PURCHASE OUR FARM--WE RESOLVE TO GO WEST--UNCLE
DENIS DECIDES TO JOIN US--AN EXPEDITION TO DIO'S RELIEF--WE DISCOVER THE
CAVE--WE FIND DIO--HIS DELIGHT AT THE PROSPECT OF RETURNING--TOO WEAK
FOR THE JOURNEY--OUR ARRIVAL HOME--PREPARATIONS FOR DEPARTURE--UNCLE
DENIS WITH US AGAIN--THE MARCH COMMENCED--CROSS THE ILLINOIS RIVER--ON
THE PRAIRIES OF MISSOURI--"WESTWARD HO!"--POSSIBILITIES OF DANGER--THE
PROPER PLACE TO CAMP--THE WAY TO BIVOUAC--THE REAR-GUARD.

No sooner was Boxer safe inside the room, than Peter began hurriedly to
close the shutter, when we heard the report of a gun, and a bullet with
a loud thud struck it. Fortunately the wood was thick, or one of us
might have been shot. Peter, quick as lightning, closed the shutter and
put up the bar.

"Dem rascally Kentuckians do dat!" he exclaimed; "hand me your rifle,
massa, and me pay dem back. Stan' by to open de shutter for me to
fire."

"No, no, Peter," I said; "the men are not likely to show themselves, and
the other is sure to fire the instant he sees the window open."

The shot had aroused my father and mother and the rest of the household,
and we heard my father and Uncle Denis calling to each other. Peter
having struck a light, we went into the hall, where we all soon
assembled, with the exception of my mother and Kathleen, when I narrated
what had occurred.

"The fellows are bent on mischief, there can be no doubt about that,"
said my father. "The