the
ground a moment in the direction of the end of the reed; but at the
instant when all expected to see the powder ignited, the flames seemed
to die away, and the darkness which succeeded impressed them with the
fear that the damp snow had, indeed, defeated their purpose.

"Split me if it _shan't_ go off!" cried Sneak, running out with a
torch in his hand, that he snatched from the fireplace. When he
reached the trench that had been dug along the palisade, and in which
the slow match was placed, he looked down but once, and dashing his
fire-brand behind him, sprang back to the house, with all the celerity
of which he was capable. "Dod!" said he, "it's burning yet, but we
couldn't see it from here. It'll set the powder off in less than no
time!"

"I trust it will!" said Boone, with much anxiety. And truly the crisis
had arrived, beyond which, if it were delayed a single minute, it
would be too late! The _voices_ of the Indians could now be heard, and
the sounds of the tomahawks had ceased. They were evidently on the eve
of breaking through the icy barrier, and rushing upon their victims.
Boone, with a composed but livid brow, placed his hand upon the
ponderous door, for the purpose of retreating within, and barring out
the ruthless assailants. The rest instinctively imitated his motions,
but at the same time their eyes were yet riveted on the dimly burning
match. A small flash was observed to illumine the trench--another and
a larger one succeeded! The first train of powder was ignited--the
Indians were bursting through the snow-crust with direful yells--the
blaze ran quickly along the plank--it reached the end of the reed--a
shrill whizzing sound succeeded--a sharp crash under the snow--and
then all was involved in a tremendous chaotic explosion! An enormous
circular cloud of smoke enveloped the scene for a moment, and then
could be seen tomahawks, bows, and arrows, and even _savages_, sailing
through the air. The moon was darkened for the space of several
minutes, during which time immense quantities of snow poured down from
above. The startling report seemed to rend both the earth and the
heavens, and rumbled far up and down the valley of the Missouri, like
the deep bellowing of a coruscant thunder-cloud, and died away in
successive vibrations until it finally resembled the partially
suppressed growling of an angry lion.

When the inmates of the house sallied forth, the scene was again
quiet. After clearing away