never get inside it."

* * * * *

The hut had been thoroughly cleaned out, and Clarice, Maysotta, and
Rachel had taken possession of it, while the rest of the party occupied
the mill.

Lieutenant Broadstreet had, in the meantime, fixed on a good site for a
fort on the summit of a precipice by the river-side, and his men were
busily engaged in cutting and fixing up the palisades which were to
surround it. So much was he occupied in the duty he had to perform, that
he could rarely come over to Roaring Water; while I was so fully
employed that I had no time to visit him.

We were greatly in want of labourers to supply the places of the poor
fellows who had been killed when the Indians attacked the house, and at
last Uncle Jeff told me to go over to the fort and ascertain if any men
were likely to obtain their discharge, and if so, to offer them good
wages.

"You can tell the lieutenant that we shall be glad to see him over here
whenever he can come," said Uncle Jeff, "although we have not the best
accommodation in the world to offer him."

I had little doubt that Manley would not be influenced by the latter
consideration; so, mounting my horse, I rode off to the fort, and gave
him Uncle Jeff's message.

"I can afford you two hands, at all events," he answered, and I saw a
twinkle in his eyes. "They know the place, and perhaps you may get more
work out of them than I can; only take care they do not run away."

I guessed to whom he alluded; nor was I mistaken. We went out together,
and he summoned Klitz and Barney, who were slowly working away with
pick, axe, and spade.

"Men," he said, "you have claimed your discharge; you shall have it, if
you are willing to go and take service at Roaring Water."

"Sure, with the greatest pleasure in me life; there's not a finer
gintleman on this side of the Atlantic than Mr. Crockett," said Barney.

Klitz simply gave a grunt of acquiescence.

The whole matter was arranged; and they were to return with me the next
day. I was also glad to obtain two more men, who, though they belonged
to that class of individuals known as "Uncle Sam's bad bargains," and
might be lazy rascals when labouring for a Government for which they did
not care a cent, turned out to be very ready to serve a master who
treated them kindly and paid them well. As we travelled along they
showed no inclination to decamp, but chatted and laughed, each in his
own style--Barney be