he trapper, an' bring him here
to help us. One stout arm 'll do us more good this night than ten
battered bodies sich as yours, poor feller."

March felt the truth of this, so without delay turned to obey. Just as
he was about to leave he heard a deep groan, and turning round, saw
Macgregor fall to the ground.

"You're ill," he cried, running to him and kneeling down.

"No--not ill, just a scratch from an arrow," gasped the trader with an
oath. "I believe the head's stickin' in my back."

"Away, March," cried Redhand, "we'll look to this. Waller, out wi' the
fire, man; ye used to be more spry when--ah! too late, there they are,
they've seen us."

"Into the fort, boys!" cried Bounce, alluding to the breastwork, "we
don't need to care; with plenty o' powder and lead, we can keep five
thousand redskins off."

March heard no more. Dashing up the glen at full speed, he disappeared
from the spot, just as the distant yell of the savage host came floating
upon the wings of the night air, apprising the trappers that their fire
had been observed, and that they would have to fight manfully if they
hoped to carry their scalps home with them.

In a few minutes the Indians drew near, and scattering themselves round
the little entrenchment, began to discharge clouds of arrows at it, but,
fortunately, without doing any damage. An inaccessible cliff protected
their rear, and behind a projection of this the trappers' horses were
secured. The breastwork lay immediately in front.

Again and again the savages let fly their shafts, but without drawing
any reply from the trappers, who kept close under cover and reserved
their fire. This tempted their enemies to approach, and, when within
short range, they seemed about to make a rush, supposing, no doubt, that
the party concealed behind the breastwork must be Indians, since they
did not use firearms. Just then Redhand gave a preconcerted signal;
three sheets of flame spouted from their guns, and three of the foremost
Indians fell dead from their horses.

With a terrible yell the others turned to fly, but before they had
retreated a yard three more shots were fired with deadly effect. They
now took shelter behind trees and rocks, and attempted to dislodge the
trappers by discharging arrows into the air at such an angle that they
should drop into their fortress. One or two endeavoured to ascend the
steep cliff, but the instant an arm or a shoulder appeared, a ball from
Redh