elcome which the rest of the party, including
Lejoillie, gave him. We had, however, but little time for conversation.
As a large body of the enemy was approaching the fort, it was necessary
at once to make preparations for their reception. The captain addressed
a few words of encouragement to the garrison, telling them what he had
heard, and urging them to hold out bravely, expressing his confidence
that we should drive back the Indians, however numerous they might be.
Ammunition was then served out, and each man went to his station to
await the attack, which, from the intelligence brought by Rochford, we
believed might at any moment be commenced.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN.

THE LULL BEFORE THE STORM--ADVANCING TO THE ATTACK--THE ENGAGEMENT--WORK
FOR MARKSMEN--TIM'S SHOT--A CAPTURE--ROCHFORD UNDERTAKES A PERILOUS
ENTERPRISE--A HUNTING EXPEDITION--OUR SUCCESS--WE GO BACK TO THE FORT--
SPOTTED WOLF JOINS THE PARTY--ENCAMPED FOR THE NIGHT--LEJOILLIE NODS
DURING HIS WATCH--AN ADVENTURE--THE INDIAN DISAPPEARS WITH OUR HORSE--
SUPPLYING THE GARRISON WITH PROVISIONS--CARLOS'S SUSPICIONS CONFIRMED--
THE PARTING--REDUCED TO EXTREMITY--PREPARATIONS FOR RETREAT--THE WOUNDED
SOLDIER--DEATH OF THE TROOPER--THE MARCH COMMENCED.

An unusual silence appeared to reign in the woods surrounding the fort;
even the birds, whose notes were wont to be heard, were silent. The sun
had already risen above the tops of the trees, and shone down with
intense force into the confined space which enclosed us. Not a breath
of air stirred the leaves. It seemed as if all nature had gone to
sleep. The sentries paced up and down on the platforms, watching on
either side, for it was impossible to say on which the Indians would
make their threatened attack. I asked Rochford if he did not think,
after all, that they had changed their minds, and would not venture
near.

"I am very sure that they have not," he answered. "They know that you
are but ill supplied with provisions and ammunition; besides which, they
have vowed that they will drive all the Palefaces into the sea, and
their late success in destroying a large detachment has encouraged them
to continue their efforts to liberate their country. I acknowledge that
they are vain, for they are ignorant of the vast resources we possess,
and fancy that the power of the whites is represented by the few
hundreds of troops which they have seen. It would have been more
merciful if the United States Governmen