ands. Into the canoe with you!"

We obeyed the order without delay, more particularly since the flames
were already coming out of the Scorpion's after companion-way, and
while paddling for the shore I saw that our people were drawn up in
line ready to meet the enemy in case it became necessary to prevent
them from interfering with the work of destruction.

"Are we the only ones to go unarmed?" I asked, noting that all of
those ashore appeared to have weapons in their hands.

"I reckon we'll find what may be needed when we join our people,"
Darius replied. "The guns an' ammunition were taken out of the vessels
last night, for powder ain't a nice thing to have around when you're
foolin' with fire."

It must be borne in mind that while we were thus speaking the cannon
on the barges were being served with spirit, and more than one solid
shot had gone crashing through a burning vessel; but none had come
near enough to us to cause any particular alarm.

When we were ashore I saw that there would be no scarcity of weapons
among us, and, in fact, several of the men were forced to carry two
muskets because of the supply which had been left behind by those who
marched away under the immediate command of Commodore Barney.

We lads succeeded in getting a good outfit, with quite as much
ammunition as could be carried comfortably, and by the time we had
taken our places in the line, the enemy's shots were beginning to come
dangerously near some of us.

A cannon ball cut down a sapling within four feet of where Lieutenant
Frazier was standing, and another crashed among the splintered canoes
on the bank, while from the distance came those sounds which told of
bullets striking amid the foliage.

The soldiers were almost within effective range, and the shot from the
barges was by no means comforting, while we could accomplish nothing
by remaining idle.

I wondered why the retreat was not begun, if we were to make one, and
felt as if I had a personal grievance against the lieutenant because
he failed to give that order which would permit of our getting away
from such a disagreeable situation.

"Growin' uneasy, lad?" Darius asked with a grin, as I involuntarily
ducked my head when a solid shot passed over us.

"It strikes me that we can't do any great amount of good by standing
here," I replied irritably.

"The lieutenant is a reg'lar little man who believes in obeyin'
orders, no matter what happens. Joshua Barney left word