e fort, probably from one of the
hunters, who, under torture, might have confessed the state of the case.

The early part of the morning had passed quietly away, when a movement
was observed in the camp of the Sioux. The white sheet of snow which
intervened was soon clotted over with their dark forms as they advanced
towards the fort in a long line, extending from east to west, the
extreme ends moving at a more rapid rate than the rest, as if they
purposed to surround it. On they came, increasing their speed as they
drew near, shrieking, and shouting, and frantically brandishing their
weapons. Their cries and gestures were terrific in the extreme. They
seemed to be working themselves up into a fury, as if preparing to
attack the fort, and to destroy the hapless defenders. Mr Ramsay again
urged those under his command to die at their posts rather than yield,
or to trust to any terms the savages might offer. Mrs Ramsay and her
daughter, though pale from hunger, showed no signs of alarm. Their
usual morning avocations having been performed, they sat together with
the Bible before them, and then kneeling down, with calm confidence
offered up their prayers for protection to that merciful God whom they
well knew heard all their petitions.

Laurence, now perfectly recovered, was on the platform, where most of
the garrison were stationed. He there stood, with several guns by his
side, prepared to fire on the advancing savages. Mr Ramsay had given
orders that not a shot should be discharged till the last moment.
Although the men had hitherto shown no lack of courage, when they saw
the overwhelming numbers of the expected assailants some of them cried
out that it would be impossible to defend the fort against their
assaults. Mr Ramsay rebuked them severely, and charged them not again
to express such an idea. Their courage, was, however, put to a great
test; for the savages, rushing on, fired their rifles, sending showers
of bullets rattling against the stockades. Happily, none of the
defenders were struck. Still, not a shot was discharged in return, and
the savages, surprised at this, instead of continuing to rush on,
halted.

They had now got so near that even their faces as well as their
head-dress, by which the different tribes are distinguished, could
clearly be discerned. Mr Ramsay, though unwilling to shed blood, was
about to give the order to fire should they again advance, when Laurence
exclaimed, "I know