eath his axe. The rest of the
men, put to shame by his zeal, followed his example, and we soon had
timber sufficient for our purpose.

Our next business was to drag it into the required position.

This we did with the help of the oxen, for without them we should have
been unable to accomplish the undertaking.

At length we got up a rough breastwork on two sides of the camp, while
our waggons and their cargoes, with the aid of a few additional posts,
served to strengthen our position.

We surveyed our fort with considerable satisfaction. One side we might
consider impregnable; the second, that along the edge of the ravine, was
not likely to be attacked, and we had a sufficient force of rifles to
defend the other two against a whole horde of savages without fire-arms.

"Yes, our fort is a strong one," observed the Dominie, "but many a
stronger has been captured when the garrison thought themselves secure.
We must still be on the watch against surprise or treachery. Depend
upon it, the red-skins will employ their usual cunning rather than run
the risk of losing their lives by an open assault on our position. Your
father is too old a soldier not to think of that, but I want to impress
the importance of the matter on your uncle and the rest of the men, who
appear to fancy that all we shall have to do is to remain here quietly,
until the captain thinks fit to move on again."

"I'll promise you to keep my eyes open, and to impress the same duty on
the other men," I answered.

"Especially keep them open towards the very point which you fancy so
secure, down that cliff. You or I might find it a tough job to climb up
it with our boots and gaiters, and heavy coats, but a half-naked savage,
with his scalping-knife in his teeth, would not think it so hard a
matter, and hard or not hard, if mortal man can do it, he'll try, if he
hopes to catch us napping when he gets to the top."

We were now summoned to the supper which had been in the meantime
preparing, and my mother, with Kathleen and Lily, followed by Biddy and
the nurse Rose, joined us round the camp-fire. The security which we
now enjoyed made us forget the dangers we had passed, and those we might
anticipate, and put us all into good spirits.

Of course the usual number of men were on the watch, but I observed that
my father was constantly in the attitude of listening; and both he and
the Dominie frequently got up and walked round the camp, the Dominie
especia