Part 37 (1/2)

The intervieas shorter than the captain had anticipated

”Well, is it surrender or not?” asked Matt Gilroy

”We must have more time,” answered Captain Moore ”Cannot you wait until to-ry reply ”Is it surrender or not?

Answer yes or no”

”We will not surrender--at least not yet,” ca captain firmly

”Then your time is up, and we shall attack at once,” returned the leader of the desperadoes ”Aht, White Ox?”

”You have spoken truly,” came from the Indian chief ”Soon the blood of the white soldiers will flow freely”

Without another word White Ox galloped away, and Matt Gilroy went after hiainst a battle now!” exclaimed Lieutenant Bacon

”I have done my best to delay the contest--I can do no more,” said Captain Moore

When he returned inside of the stockade he was iht,” he said in a loud, clear voice ”They ait no longer But re-enforcements must be on the way by this ti by me?”

”Yes! yes!” was the cry

”We kno to do our duty to Uncle Sa!”

”Let the desperadoes and the Indians coot!”

While the soldiers were taking their way to the several defenses of the fort there was the beating of Indian drule in the ca ca, sure enough!” exclai it will be before they fire the first shot?”

”They'll not be rash--be sure of that,” answered Darry ”Theyplace”

A little later one of the guards announced that bodies of Indians werefrom the south of the fort to the ard

Here there was a fringe of trees at a distance of not over a hundred yards froht to have the belt of timberland cut down, but had never put the plan into execution

”They et as close as possible before they expose themselves,”

said the captain ”Dilberry, have the four-pounder trained on that spot”

”I will, Captain Moore,” said the head gunner, and saluted