“I thank you for this short enumeration of my strength, Blodget, since it gives me new assurance of my people’s fidelity.  You I will not distrust; the others I cannot, and there is a feeling of high confidence—­What do you see?—­why do you lower your piece, and stand at guard, in this manner?”

“That is a man’s form, sir, on the right of the gate, trying to climb the palisades.  I have had my eye on it, for some time, and I feel sure of my aim.”

“Hold an instant, Blodget; let us be certain before we act.”

The young man lowered the butt of his piece, waiting patiently and calmly for his superior to decide.  There was a human form visible, sure enough, and it was seen slowly and cautiously rising until it reached the summit of the stockade, where it appeared to pause to reconnoitre.  Whether it were a pale-face or a red-skin, it was impossible to distinguish, though the whole movement left little doubt that an assailant or a spy was attempting to pass the outer defences.

“We cannot spare that fellow,” said the captain, with a little regret in his manner; “it is more than we can afford.  You must bring him down, Blodget.  The instant you have fired, come to the other end of the stage, where we will watch the result.”

This arranged, the captain prudently passed away from the spot, turning to note the proceedings of his companion, the moment he was at the opposite angle of the gallery.  Blodget was in no haste.  He waited until his aim was certain; then the stillness of the valley was rudely broken by the sharp report of a rifle, and a flash illumined its obscurity.  The figure fell outward, like a bird shot from its perch, lying in a ball at the foot of the stockade.  Still, no cry or groan gave evidence of nature surprised by keen and unexpected anguish.  At the next instant Blodget was by captain Willoughby’s side.  His conduct was a pledge of fidelity that could not be mistaken, and a warm squeeze of the hand assured the youth of his superior’s approbation.

It was necessary to be cautious, however, and to watch the result with ceaseless vigilance.  Joyce and the men below had taken the alarm, and the serjeant with his companions were ordered up on the stage immediately, leaving the negro, alone, to watch the gate.  A message was also sent to the females, to give them confidence, and particularly to direct the blacks to arm, and to repair to the loops.

All this was done without confusion, and with so little noise as to prevent those without from understanding what was in progress.  Terror kept the negroes silent, and discipline the others.  As every one had lain down in his or her clothes, it was not a minute before every being in the Hut was up, and in motion.  It is unnecessary to speak of the mental prayers and conflicting emotions with which Mrs. Willoughby and her daughters prepared themselves for the struggle; and, yet, even the beautiful and delicate Maud braced her nerves to meet the emergency of a frontier assault.  As for Beulah, gentle, peaceful, and forgiving as she was by nature, the care of little Evert aroused all the mother within her, and something like a frown that betokened resolution was, for a novelty, seen on her usually placid face.