proud of the responsibility that had
been placed on him. He had not gone far before he discovered that the
place of ambush was much nearer than he had thought, an error wholly
excusable, considering the conditions under which he had first seen
the country.

He ran at top speed, but was too late, otherwise he might have been
among the men who fell under the volley which a band of about fifty
Indians, lying in ambush at the very place indicated by the boy,
poured into the ranks of Captain Wood's men.

Rodney hesitated and then ran forward, joining in the melee.

A moment later there was yelling and commotion behind, and Morgan and
his men came running to their support. A heavy hand was laid on the
boy's shoulder, and Captain Morgan demanded of him, "Do you know of
any place where we can get behind the red devils and dislodge 'em?"

"This way, Captain," and Rodney ran to the right. He recalled the way
he had left the hiding place. Up that bluff they might attack the
Indians in the rear.

"Come on, boys," Morgan shouted, and a rush was made upon the heels of
young Allison.

A shot from above warned them that the Indians had discovered their
approach. Rodney heard the bullet singing. The next instant Morgan
seized him by the shoulder, saying, "Go back! You are ordered to the
rear;" then, with a yell, the leader charged up the hill, his men
close at his back. The charge dislodged the Indians and they fled.

The troops advanced toward the town more cautiously, but found the
Indians had deserted it, carrying away everything movable.

"Why ain't we chasin' 'em, I'd like to know?" asked an ensign with an
important air.

"We first better find out whether they're running or hiding," replied
Rodney, nettled at the fellow's importance.

"Sensible remark," said Captain Morgan, who had come up and heard the
conversation. "You know something about this country, also about
Indians. Suppose you slip along behind the trees an' cross the creek
half a mile up stream and see what ye can find. Don't shoot unless
obliged to and don't hurry. Don't leave shelter until you are sure
there ain't a redskin behind the trees in front."

It was a perilous task, and some might blame Morgan for assigning the
boy to it. As it has already appeared, he would ask no one to attempt
that which he wouldn't do himself, and the conclusion must be that he
thought the boy the best one he could send on the duty which some one
must do.

The boy had li