not venture to attack it, if such was their intention, until
the following night. He therefore ordered Jules Buffet, an active and
intelligent scout, to cross the river and hasten as fast as his horse
would carry him after the party.

"They will not hesitate about returning when they hear what is likely to
occur," he observed.

Jules, stuffing some pemmican and bread into his pouch, without loss of
a moment set off.

It was still too dark to observe his movements; but the man who had gone
to assist him in catching and saddling his horse, reported that he had
started in safety, and that knowing the country, in spite of the
obscurity, he would have no difficulty in carrying out his instructions.

Captain Mackintosh laid strict injunctions on Sybil and his wife and
daughter, on no account to leave the shelter of the house, observing,
"It will become still darker than it is at present before day breaks,
and it is possible that during the time the savages may take the
opportunity of sending a shower of arrows into the fort. With our
reduced numbers, I must not venture to send out scouts to ascertain
their position; they may be still at a distance, or they may be creeping
up towards the fort hoping to take us by surprise."

The ladies exhibited the courage that might have been expected of them
when they, without fear, came to live in that remote fort, situated, as
they well knew, in the neighbourhood of hostile tribes.

Mrs Mackintosh got lint and bandages and cordials ready, in case any of
the garrison should be wounded.

Captain Mackintosh then went round the fort to encourage the scanty
garrison, and to see that they were on the watch. He endeavoured to
pierce the gloom, but could distinguish no objects moving on the
prairie. Still, he knew well the various tricks to which the Redskins
were likely to resort. They might be close by, creeping up on hands and
knees among the grass, or along the bank of the river so as to attack
the fort at the real as well as in front. He prepared for both
contingencies, posting careful men at every assailable point.

The minutes went slowly by. He greatly missed his sons, and Loraine,
who would have been of essential service in watching the more dangerous
points. Le Brun, a most trustworthy man, was away, and two of his best
hunters and scouts had been killed, while another lay wounded and
useless. Still he endeavoured to make up for the limited number of his
men by his ow