part of the world."

Unwillingly, the two friends had at length to bid the ladies goodnight
and return to their posts at the batteries. Just as they reached them,
the signal was made that the enemy was approaching, and the silence
which had hitherto reigned in the fort was suddenly broken by the loud
report of the guns as they sent forth their doses of canister,
scattering death amid the advancing columns. The musketry opened at the
same time; and now the rebels, finding that they were again disappointed
in their expectation of surprising the fort, began firing away in
return. As gun after gun was discharged, Colonel Ross knew that their
slender store of powder was becoming more nearly exhausted. It might
hold out till the enemy took to flight; but they might persevere longer
than usual--and if so, finding that the guns no longer thundered forth,
they would in all probability storm the fort.

He at length sent for Burnett and Reginald. "My friends," he said,
speaking quite calmly, "if in half an hour more the enemy are not
beaten, we must fight our way out through their midst, unless we can
hope to defend our position with our swords and bayonets."

Burnett proposed making a sortie with his cavalry, in the hope of
creating a panic by the suddenness of his attack. But from this Colonel
Ross dissuaded him. He could scarcely hope to produce any material
effect, and would only weaken his strength by the loss of several of his
men.

Rapidly that half-hour went by; when, just as it was found that the last
charge of powder had been expended, the cry arose, "They run! They
run!" On this Burnett ordered his bugler to sound the call "to horse;"
and in less than two minutes every man of his troop was mounted, and,
following their leader, had dashed out in pursuit of the retreating foe.
Immediately he had gone, Colonel Ross ordered every animal in the camp
to be prepared for carrying the sick and wounded. Horses had been kept
for the use of the ladies,--who, having been warned of the possible
emergency, were quickly ready. Not a word of alarm or anxiety was
expressed. The whole force was quickly drawn up in close column:
Reginald's cavalry, with the ladies in the centre, leading; the trained
villagers following, guarding the wounded; the British soldiers and
Reginald's guards on either flank; while the other native troops brought
up the rear.

The instant the scouts returned with the satisfactory report that they