“We have Michael O’Hearn, Jamie Allen, the two carpenters, the three niggers, Joel, and the three Dutchmen that last came into the settlement, and the two lads that Strides engaged at the beginning of the year, left,” was the answer.  “These, counting your honour and myself, make just fifteen men; quite enough yet, I should think, to make good the house, in case of an assault—­though I fear everything like an outwork must be abandoned.”

“On the whole, these are the best of our men,” returned the captain; “I mean the most trustworthy.  I count on Mike, Jamie, and the blacks, as being as much to be relied on as we are ourselves.  Joel, too, is a man of resources, if he will but do his duty under fire.”

“Corporal Strides is still an untried soldier, your honour; though recruits, even, sometimes do wonders.  Of course, I shall reduce the guard to half its former strength, as the men must have some sleep, sir.”

“We must depend very much on your vigilance and mine, to-night, Joyce.  You shall take the guard till one, when I will stand it for the rest of the night.  I will speak to the men before you dismiss them.  An encouraging word, just now, may be worth a platoon to us.”

The serjeant seldom dissented from any suggestion of his commanding officer, and the scheme was carried out on the spot.  The lantern was so placed as to permit the captain to see the heterogeneous row of countenances that was drawn up before him, and he proceeded: 

“It seems, my friends,” he said, “that some of our people have been seized with a panic, and have deserted.  These mistaken men have not only fled themselves, but they have induced their wives and children to follow them.  A little reflection will show you to what distress all must be reduced by this ill-judged flight.  Fifty miles from another settlement of any size, and more than thirty from even a single hut, beyond the cabin of a hunter, days must pass before they can reach a place of safety, even should they escape the savage foe that we know to be scouring the woods.  The women and children will not have sufficient art to conceal their trail, nor sufficient strength to hold out against hunger and fatigue many hours.  God forgive them for what they have done, and guide them through the difficulties and pains by which they are menaced!  As for us, we must determine to do our whole duty, or, at once to retire, with the consent of each other.  If there is a man among you, then, who apprehends the consequences of standing to his arms, and of defending this house, let him confess it frankly; he shall have leave to depart, with all that belongs to him, taking food and the means of subsistence and defence with him.  I wish no man to remain with me and mine, but he who can do it cheerfully.  The night is now dark, and, by quitting the Hut at an early hour, such a start might be gained over any pursuers, as to place him in comparative security before morning.  If any such man is here, let him now speak out honestly, and fear nothing.  The gate shall be opened for his march.”