Part 38 (1/2)

”Doith them!” shouted Captain Moore ”Heave the plank off!”

A dozen soldiers started to do his bidding The first that showed himself was shot down, and the second shared a similar fate But others were more successful, and into the ditch went the board with a loud splash, carrying the Indians with it

The soldiers set up a shout of triuain a point of vantage fired on the enemy By this movement three Indians were left in the ditch dead and several others ounded A desperado was also brought down Those that were uninjured lost no ti cover; and thus the first advance on the fort came to an end

All told, the attack had lasted nearly an hour, and when it was over it was found that everybody was hot, dry, and dusty But, fortunately, water was to be had in plenty, and a drink refreshed all The dead and wounded were carried away, and the latter were made as comfortable as the limited means of the fort afforded

”They won't co captain ”The Indians have had their eyes opened”

”How soon can those re-enforceet here before to- journey before them, and a body of several hundred soldiers can't travel as fast as a single person”

”Of course they'll be cavalry,” put in Darry

”I hope so--if the cavalry was at Fort Prescott when Leeson got there”

Colonel Fairfield wasup and hearing the particulars

”Good!” he murmured ”Keep them off another twenty-four hours and we shall be saved,” and then he went off in another stupor

All was now as quiet as if not an enemy ithin a uard, and this vigilance was increased as the sun went down in the west

”This night will tell the tale,” was old Benson's coet it!”

Whether or not the old scout was right we shall soon see

CHAPTER xxx

SIGNALS IN THE DARK

”Joe, I've got a scheood mind to propose it to Will”

It was Darry who spoke, as he and Joe were eating an early supper that night, in one corner of thelet Will have it by all means,”

answered his cousin ”Heaven knoe need all the help we can get!”

”My scheme is this,” went on Darry ”Those Indians and the desperadoesoff for re-enforcements Nohy can't Will send out old Benson and a few others, to steal off for several les, and all that, to make the enemy think the re-enforcements are close at hand?”

Joe clapped his hands ”That's a grand scheme!” he cried ”Let's speak to Will about it at once”

The supper was soon finished, and they sought out the young captain, as dividing up his force for guard duty during the night

”I was thinking of such a scheme ested it, too Perhaps I'll do it”