lds, 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."

He shuddered at the thought, and placed his hand to his eyes.

"Indeed, it seems like a direct Providence in our favor," rejoined
another.

"But thar's one thing you've overlooked, in your proposition, Albach,"
said the old veteran called Nickolson. "Ef the seige be protracted, what
are we to do for water?"

Each face of the company blanched, and turned toward the speaker with a
startled look. It was a question of the most grave importance, and all
felt it to be so. The spring was without the pallisades, as we have
previously mentioned, on the northwestern side of the station. The path
to it was through a rank growth of tall weeds, wherein the main body of
the Indians was supposed to be concealed--so that, should the garrison
venture forth in