“And a mighty tough time you’ve had on’t Mr. Reynolds, for sartin, and no mistake,” rejoined Mrs. Younker, with a sigh, wiping her eyes.  “Ah! me—­poor Ben!—­poor Ben!—­I’m a widder now in arnest.  Well, the Lord’s will be done.  The good Book says, ’The Lord giveth, the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord;’ and them good words, my children and friends, must be our consolation.”

But little more was said; for each of the party felt oppressed with a weight of sadness, at the thought of the many mournful events a year had brought forth; and as the hour was late, each and all presently betook themselves to rest.

Meantime, the preparations of the garrison for the morrow had been going forward in every part of the station; lights were moving to and fro; and all within the cabins, and on the common, was bustle and activity.  At last the sounds gradually ceased, the lights went out one by one, and all finally became tranquil for the night.

About an hour before day-break, the sleepers began to rouse themselves, and all was soon again in commotion.  Horses were led forth, saddled, returned and fed, and every thing got in readiness to throw open the gates and march forth so soon as it should become sufficiently light for the purpose.

At last came the exciting moment of all.  Some were standing in groups, and weeping bitterly at the thought of parting, perhaps for the last time, with their fathers, husbands and sons; some were running to and fro with anxious messages; some were clasping each other to their hearts, in agonizing silence, and praying in secret that the Great Ruler of all might preserve and happily restore them again to the idols of their affections; some had mounted their noble steeds, or were leading them forth for the purpose—­and all was in Babel-like confusion.

“Farewell, my friends,” said Algernon, as he stood in the door of Mrs. Younker’s cottage, grasping one after another the proffered hands of its weeping inmates, among whom was the wife and mother-in-law of Isaac.  “Farewell, dearest Ella; we may never meet again on earth.  Farewell—­farewell!” and pressing her hand to his lips, he rushed forth with a heaving heart, not daring to trust himself longer in her presence.

Isaac and his father-in-law followed the example of Reynolds, moved away with weeping eyes, and all were quickly in their saddles.

A few minutes later the roll was called, and the order given by the commanding officer to form in double file and throw open the eastern gate.  Scarcely were the words uttered, when there arose a series of terrific Indian yells, accompanied by a volley of firearms, and every face became blanched with surprise and dismay, and looked from one to the other in astonishment.

“By heavens!” cried a voice; “our fighting ’ll be at home, I reckon, judging by the specimen before us.”

Dismounting from their horses, the garrison, together with many of the women and children, now rushed to the southern pickets, where, through loop-holes and crevices, they beheld, only a few rods distant, about a hundred savages, running to and fro, jumping up and down, whooping, yelling, screeching and firing at the station, accompanied with all the wild, fantastic gestures of loosened madmen.