ime the poor animal was dead. The commandant
afterwards took us round the fort, remarking--

"Perhaps before the night is over we may be attacked, and it is as well
that you should know the localities."

In the centre were the barracks with the officers' quarters' on one
side, the stables on the other, and a barn for the stowage of hay and
other stores. Behind us was a yard in which the horses could be turned
loose.

From these buildings, four subterranean passages, about three feet wide
and five high, led each to a rifle-pit beyond the stockades, about
twelve feet long and ten wide, roofed over with stone supported by
wood-work.

Just on a level with the ground, below the roof, were loop-holes opening
on all sides. In racks round the walls of these pits were placed a
number of rifles, all loaded and ready for immediate use; so that, as
the commandant explained, should a whole army of redskins approach, the
garrison would be at once prepared to give them a warm reception.

The account he gave us of trains stopped and emigrants massacred
increased my eagerness to set out to the assistance of our friends. By
his advice, therefore, we turned in to try and get some rest. I could
not sleep, however, but lay awake listening for the return of the
soldiers who had been sent to bring in the cattle; for as the distance
was not great, I calculated that they ought to have arrived not long
after us, and I began to fear that they must have encountered the
Indians, and perhaps themselves have been cut off. Overcome, however,
with fatigue, I at length dropped off into a troubled slumber.

CHAPTER NINE.

THE RELIEF PARTY SET OFF--ON THE PRAIRIE--INDIANS DISCOVERED ATTACKING
THE TRAIN--OUR CHARGE--NO QUARTER ASKED NOR GIVEN--MY FATHER AND UNCLE
WOUNDED--THE TRAIN DELAYED AT FORT HAMILTON--PROVISIONS RUN SHORT--A
HUNTING-PARTY ARRANGED--A HERD OF WAPITI--DOG TOBY ON THE SICK-LIST--
CHASING THE DEER--A GAME AT FOLLOW MY LEADER--A FIGHT BETWEEN STAGS--THE
MYSTERIOUS SHOT--THE SOLITARY HUNTER.

I was aroused by feeling a hand on my shoulder, and looking up, I saw
Mr Tidey by the light of a lamp which burned on the table.

"It will soon be dawn," he said; "the troopers are preparing to set off.
But you are knocked up, Mike, and had better sleep on. I should have
let you do so, but I did not like to set off without telling you that I
was going. I hope, however, that we shall soon meet our friends, and
find them all safe