er device of the
enemy. Boone, on the contrary, was unusually grave, and requested his
companions to be on the alert, or they would yet be the victims of the
savages.

"I like these kind of arrows the best," said Joe, "for I can see how
to dodge them."

"But the wooden slabs can't dodge--dod! they're afire on the outside
now!" cried Sneak, truly discovering a flame reaching above the
inclosure from without.

"Watch well from the loopholes!" cried Boone, throwing open the gate
and rushing out, and running round to where the fire was crackling.
"Come, Sneak!--I want your assistance--quick!" he exclaimed, finding
the flames making rapid progress.

"Keep your eye skinned now!" said Sneak, as he left Joe alone to watch
for the Indians, and ran out to aid in subduing the fire.

The savages could evidently see what was transacting, although unseen
themselves, for most of their arrows now seemed to be directed at
those without.

"Look sharp!" said Boone to Joe, through the loophole.

"Let me assist!" cried Glenn, imprudently leaving his post in his
eagerness to share the danger, and coming out with a spade.

"Go in, my friend--we are sufficient here," said Boone, addressing
Glenn.

"Come in! come in! come in!" cried Joe.

"I see no Indians," remarked Boone.

"The house is on fire! Fire! fire! fire!" screamed Joe, falling into
his old habit when in the city.

Glenn ran back in this emergency, but when he arrived within the
inclosure, he found that this service had been anticipated by Mary,
who had quietly thrust her hands into the snow, and with balls thus
made, easily extinguished the fire on the roof.

When Boone and Sneak had effected their purpose, they repaired to
their former positions, assured that the utmost caution must be
observed to prevent a surprise from some unexpected quarter, while
their attention was naturally directed to one particular point. But
they had hardly resumed their stations before their ears were saluted
by the joyful report of rifles in the valley. Relief was at hand.
Roughgrove had recrossed the river, with a party of recruits, and
fallen upon the rear of the savages, at a moment when success seemed
to smile on their sanguinary purpose. Their shouts of exultation at
the prospect of firing the premises were now changed to howls of
despair, and they fled in all directions. But Roughgrove, aware of the
impolicy of pursuit, led his men directly to the gallant little
garrison; and the