“Thar’s not more nor a hundred o’ the varmints, any how,” cried Isaac; “and I reckon as how we can jest lick them, and no mistake.  Hurray for a fight.”

“Hurray for a fight!” echoed a dozen voices, as they rushed back to remount their horses.

“Hold!” cried the deep voice of Father Albach.  “Hold! lads; don’t do things rash!  Them Indians wouldn’t be dancing and sky-larking round that way, ef thar warn’t some object in it, you may depend on.”

“And that’s my opinion too,” answered another gray-headed veteran.  “The fact is, they’re only a decoy party, sent our thar from the main body, jest to draw us out, so that the others can rush on and make an easy conquest on’t.  I tell you, friends, thar’s no mistaking it; we’re surrounded by a tremendous body o’ the red heathen, and we’re likely to have warm work on’t.  I’ve lived in the woods all my life, and I know the nater of the painted varmints as well as I know my own.  Ef them war all thar war on ’em, we’d have seen very different proceedings, I assure you.”

“But what’s to be done?” cried several voices in consternation.

“I would suggest that we send immediately to Lexington for a reinforcement,” spoke up Reynolds, in reply.

“Who’ll volunteer to go with me on the dangerous mission?” cried a young man, by the name of Bell.

“I will!” instantly responded another, called Tomlinson.

“Brave lads!” returned Father Albach.  “You’ll be doing us and your country a service, which we at least will ever gratefully remember.  I’d advise your leaving by the western gate, riding round the station, and keeping away to the right, and you’ll maybe pass them without trouble.  But ef you go, now’s your only chance.”

As he spoke, the young men in question sprung forward to their horses, and immediately quitted the fort, amid cheers for their gallantry and courage, and prayers for their safety and success.

A council of the leading men was now speedily convened to deliberate upon the best means of insuring the safety of themselves, their wives, and children.

“They’ll no doubt attack us on the western side,” said Father Albach, “where the pallisades are somewhat out o’ kilter; and it’s my opinion, that we’d better repair them as soon as possible, and station the main part of the garrison thar, ready to receive ’em with a military salute, while we send out a few o’ our young men to fire on them as is in sight, to deceive the others; for I believe with neighbor Nickolson, here, that thar’s a large party in ambush close by.”

“Ay, and doubtless led by the renegade,” said Reynolds; “as I presume this Indian army is the same whose approach I have foretold.  Thank God!” added he, with energy and emotion, as his mind reverted to Ella, “that they came as they did; for an hour later, and they would have found the fort defenceless, when all within would have been food for the tomahawk and scalping knife.”