shed
in at full gallop.

"Open the back gate wide, Loo, and leave this one open, too," shouted
MacFearsome, as he flew past like an enraged thunderbolt.

Our bride possessed that most valuable quality, a tendency to prompt,
unquestioning obedience. Running lightly to the other side of the Fort
she undid the fastenings and forced the back gate wide open. Meanwhile
her father and our bridegroom, with his friend Jacob and the six men,
charged down on the savages with wild yells of fury. The sight of them
was sufficient! The Blackfeet turned and fled through the open gates in
consternation. As they coursed towards the woods like hares the
blacksmith managed to turn on them a small ship's-cannon loaded with
buckshot, which awoke the echoes of the wilderness with a deafening
roar. The horsemen also pursued and scattered them right and left.
Then the gates were reclosed, while the bright flame of the burning
buildings lit up the scene as at noon-day.

"Hold your hands now, boys," shouted MacFearsome, drawing rein.

Those nearest to the chief obeyed, and the others, soon perceiving what
was being done, rejoined their comrades.

"Where is Reuben?" asked MacFearsome, as they were turning towards the
Fort.

Each looked at the other, but none could answer.

"I saw him down in the hollow, charging the Indians," said one.

"And I saw him coming back by the stable-fence," said another.

"Off with you to both places and look for him," cried the chief, "and
the rest of you follow me."

They searched swiftly to and fro for some minutes, and soon found his
riderless horse. Then a cry from one of their number was heard from the
hollow. Galloping thither they found Reuben lying on his back,
apparently dead, with an arrow in his chest.

In a moment Jacob was on his knees at his friend's side, and soon the
arrow was extracted, but it was found that blood gushed freely from the
wound. Stanching this as best they could they bore the wounded man
carefully to the Fort.

"Oh, father! I hope the fight is over now," exclaimed Loo, as her sire
rode through the gateway.

"Yes, the fight is over," replied the Highlander, sternly, "but it has
cost us much. Our house is on fire and Reuben is--"

He did not finish the sentence. Indeed, there was no occasion to do so,
for, while he spoke, the men advanced who bore Reuben's all but lifeless
body.

Loo did not scream or utter a word, but her white face and compressed
lips told