of you catch sight of a
moving object, do not fire till you hail, and then, if you get no
answer, take good aim, and do not throw a shot away."

The men promised obedience. There was little chance, while Roger Layton
was on watch, of the fort being surprised. The first watch went by
without the slightest sound being heard, or an object seen outside the
camp. The second was drawing to a close, when Ben Tarbox exclaimed:
"Who goes there? Stand up like a man, or I'll fire at you!" His shout
caused all the sleepers to raise their heads. The shot which followed
made them seize their weapons and start to their feet! Scarcely had the
sound of the shot died away, when the most terrific cries and shrieks
rent the night air, followed by a flight of arrows which whistled over
the heads of the garrison as they hurried to the stockades, and a
hundred dark forms showed themselves endeavouring to make their way amid
the rocks up the hill.

"Let each of you take good aim," cried Roger, "and load and fire as fast
as you can."

The order was obeyed; the officers, who had also firearms, setting the
example. The Indians, who had expected to surprise the white-faces,
found themselves exposed to a blaze of fire from the whole side of the
hill, up which they were attempting to climb. Still, urged on by their
leaders, they mounted higher and higher, in spite of the many who fell,
till they reached the stockades. Some of the more daring, attempting to
hack at the English with their tomahawks, were pierced with pikes and
swords wielded by the stout aims of Rolfe, Roger Layton, the Audleys,
and Fenton; while their men kept firing away as rapidly as they could
reload their weapons. The Indians fought bravely, but unprepared for so
determined a resistance, they at length gave way, and retreated, one
driving back the other down the hill. Some were hurled over the rocks
by the victorious garrison, who, led by Roger, sprang out beyond the
stockades, and in another minute not a living Indian remained on the
hill.

"Hurrah, lads! we've beaten them!" shouted Ben Tarbox, giving a hearty
hurrah, such as he would have raised on seeing the flag of an enemy come
down in a battle at sea.

"Let no one go beyond the stockades," cried Rolfe, "we know not what
trick they may play us; let us not lose the advantage we have gained."

He spoke in good time, for Roger and Gilbert were on the point of
rushing down the hill in pursuit of the flying ene