d against any number of Redskins, unless the garrison ran short
of ammunition."

"That's just what I suspect they did," I answered, examining the pouches
of two of the men who lay nearest me. They were both empty.

We had, however, no time to discuss the matter, as it was our duty to
hurry back and report what we had discovered. On hearing it, Captain
Norton resolved to occupy the fort. Our first business on entering was
to carry out the bodies of the late garrison. It was a mournful task,
as we had no means of burying them, or, at all events, no time to devote
to this object. As soon as this duty was performed, we set to work to
repair the fort. Most of the men had axes, which they vigorously plied,
and soon cut down a sufficient number of trees for our purpose. The men
laboured hard, knowing that their lives might depend on their getting
the fort into a fit state to resist the enemy. Not until every breach
was repaired, the gate strengthened, and the centre hut--for it was
little more--roofed in with the split trunks of trees, did we cease from
our toil. It was nearly morning by the time our work was accomplished.
Not until then did the captain or any of the men lie down to snatch a
short sleep. Fortunately, the storehouse had escaped, and in it we
discovered a supply of salt provisions sufficient to last us several
days, while a well dug within the stockade afforded an ample supply of
water. We might thus hold out for a considerable time, without the
necessity of venturing far from the fort to obtain game.

The captain was still unwilling to make it impossible for Spotted Wolf
to escape, by shooting him or binding his limbs; but he charged two of
the most intelligent of the men to keep a constant watch over the
Indian, and not to allow him on any pretext to leave the fort. It was
necessary to send out a few men to cut grass for the horses, as it was
important to keep them in good condition. Those who went, however, were
ordered not to venture beyond the immediate vicinity of the fort, into
which they could escape should an enemy appear. We had reason to be
thankful that we had not been disturbed. But we had made no progress,
as far as we could judge, in the object of our expedition; neither
Rochford nor Juanita had been discovered, and they might still be
leagues away.

Two days passed. Captain Norton and my father were constantly talking
over plans for our future proceedings. The captain even ask