alert as
before. We felt confident that as long as they should assault the fort
in the same manner as at first we could drive them back, but should they
change their tactics the case might be different.

If the chiefs could restore the courage of their followers, they might
completely surround the fort; and should they venture to climb over the
palisades on all sides at once, we might have great difficulty in
driving them back.

Suspecting that they might make an attempt to get in in the way I have
last mentioned, Alick sent men to each of the other angles to be ready
should the Indians appear.

The remainder of the night went by. It was one of the most anxious
times I ever passed in my life. When morning dawned the Indians could
be seen in the far distance in as great numbers as before, but none of
their bands were visible near the fort. We had little fear of their
renewing the attack during the daytime, and Alick gave orders to all the
garrison, except a few men at a time required to keep watch, to lie down
and get some sleep. He directed me to do the same, promising to summon
me when he required to be relieved.

After I had rested about three hours he called me up, and I was very
glad to get some breakfast before going on watch. I spent all the
morning in one of the towers, keeping a constant lookout on the enemy,
who seemed in no way inclined to move, while I frequently turned an
anxious eye in other directions, hoping to see Robin with Sandy and his
companions returning to the fort.

In vain, however, I looked. No human being could I distinguish, either
on the more open prairie or among the trees in the distance. The day
drew on; perhaps, if our friends had discovered the vicinity of the
Indians, they might wait under cover till dark, but if they had not seen
them they would make at once for the fort. Still they did not come, and
darkness closed in upon us. We had another night before us of anxiety
and watchfulness. The same arrangements were made as on the previous
night, and Alick and I, assisted by Martin, were continually making the
round of the fort. At any moment we might have the whole horde of
savages upon us; yet, in the meantime, we could do nothing to defend
ourselves, except to keep our muskets loaded and ready for action. Even
though we could tell the direction in which the Indians had retreated,
there was no use in firing into the empty air.

The silence we maintained would, howeve