n cautiously to descend the
mountain. Of necessity our progress was very slow. Sometimes we had to
place the litter on the ground, not for the sake of resting ourselves,
but that we might lower it with more caution. Thus proceeding, we at
last reached the plain, where, as the day had closed, we encamped.

Next morning, Bartle, although better, was still unable to walk; we
therefore carried him the whole way to Roaring Water. We found Uncle
Jeff standing in the midst of the ruins of the old house,--in no
desponding mood, however,--and he welcomed Bartle as he would have done
a beloved brother.

"You will soon come round, Bartle," he said, as he took his hand; "and
we will get a house up as big and as strong as the old one."

"Ay! that we will," answered Bartle; "and if the Redskins pay us another
visit, we will take good care that they shall never get inside it."

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The hut had been thoroughly cleaned out, and Clarice, Maysotta, and
Rachel had taken possession of it, while the rest of the party occupied
the mill.

Lieutenant Broadstreet had, in the meantime, fixed on a good site for a
fort on the summit of a precipice by the river-side, and his men were
busily engaged in cutting and filing up the palisades which were to
surround it. So much was he occupied in the duty he had to perform,
that he could rarely come over to Roaring Water; while I was so fully
employed that I had no time to visit him.

We were greatly in want of labourers to supply the places of the poor
fellows who had been killed when the Indians attacked the house, and at
last Uncle Jeff told me to go over to the fort and ascertain if any men
were likely to obtain their discharge, and if so, to offer them good
wages.

"You can tell the lieutenant that we shall be glad to see him over here
whenever he can come," said Uncle Jeff, "although we have not the best
accommodation in the world to offer him."

I had little doubt that Manley would not be influenced by the latter
consideration; so, mounting my horse, I rode off to the fort, and gave
him Uncle Jeff's message.

"I can afford you two hands, at all events," he answered, and I saw a
twinkle in his eyes. "They know the place, and perhaps you may get more
work out of them than I can; only take care they do not run away."

I guessed to whom he alluded; nor was I mistaken. We went out together,
and he summoned Klitz and