would induce them to scamper off on perceiving the approach of
the Indians.

We had a well to supply us with water, and abundance of provisions, with
arms sufficient for six times the number of our present garrison. These
we had loaded, and placed some in each of the four towers, and others at
different spots near the walls, so that one man might fire several in
succession. A lookout was also stationed at the top of each of the
towers, to give due notice of the approach of the enemy, as we could not
tell on which side they might attack us.

We were well aware of the cunning they would exercise, and that they
would employ every trick and stratagem to take us by surprise. Possibly
they would creep along the bank of the river during the hours of
darkness and try to scale the walls on that side, or one party might
come boldly to the fort to attract our attention, while another might be
stealthily approaching from an opposite direction. We had at all
events, we knew, to keep very wide awake.

The hunters who had been pursued, overcome with fatigue, were not likely
to be of much use in keeping guard, so Alick told them to lie down and
rest till they were wanted for the protection of the fort. We anxiously
looked out for the return of Sandy and his party, and our fear was that
they might be discovered before they could reach us, and be attacked by
the Sioux.

The enemy were now seen drawing nearer and nearer, coming over the hill
in the distance. We could distinguish even the war-plumes of the chiefs
waving in the wind, and the glitter of their arms and ornaments. They
formed a large band; indeed, we knew that no Sioux, except in
considerable numbers, would venture to cross the Cree country--feeling
themselves strong enough to fight their way back, should they be
attacked, as they might expect to be, by their hereditary enemies.
There is no peace between the Sioux and the Crees.

These we knew from their plumes and war-paint to be Blackfeet, the most
savage and warlike of the northern tribes.

They approached till they reached a spot just beyond musket range. They
there began forming a camp, so that we knew they intended regularly to
besiege the fort. None of our little garrison, however, were in the
slightest degree daunted. We had all the requisites for standing a
siege--water, provisions, and an abundance of arms and ammunition. A
few small field-pieces in our towers would have been of use, but it had
not