on at the sport. Laurence
carried the sleigh on his shoulders, a number of other boys being
similarly provided.

Proceeding round outside the fort, they soon reached the steep part of
the hill. In another minute, a merry laughing party were gliding down
the side, one after the other, with headlong speed, the impetus sending
them several hundred yards over the smooth hard surface of the snow
beyond. Laurence, who sat in front, guiding Jeanie's sleigh, was
delighted to find that it went further than any of the others. Up the
hill again they soon came, the boys carrying the sleighs, and the girls
scrambling up by their sides.

Laurence and Jeanie had coasted down the side of the hill, followed by
their companions, and had been carried some distance from the fort, when
they heard a shout from the watch-tower nearest them. It was repeated
again and again in more urgent tones, calling them back to the fort.

"What can it mean?" asked Jeanie. "We must go, at all events; and, see,
there's mamma on the top of the hill beckoning to us."

Laurence proposed to make another trip, saying he was sure there was no
necessity to be in a hurry.

"If we are called, we ought to go, we must go," said Jeanie. "It would
be very wrong to delay a minute."

Thus urged, Laurence took up the sleigh, and the whole party reached the
top of the hill, where they found Mrs Ramsay, who told them to hurry
back with her to the fort. On reaching the gate, they were informed
that a large party of Indians had been seen in the far distance, and
were still hovering just within sight of the fort. At first it was
hoped that they were the hunters returning; but from their numbers and
the way they were moving it was suspected that they must be a band of
Sioux said to be out on a war-path, and that it was very probable they
would attack the fort. The gates were accordingly shut, a drawbridge
over a deep cutting in front of them was drawn up, arms and ammunition
were placed on the platform inside the stockade, ready for use, and
every other preparation made for the reception of the foe. Mr Ramsay
urged his little garrison to fight bravely in defence of their wives and
children, and the property committed to their charge. For some time the
Indians had not approached nearer than when they were first seen, and
hopes were entertained that they would not venture on an attack. Mr
Ramsay had always endeavoured to avoid hostilities with the natives, and
h