I pointed to the intervening sand-ridge.

"They move parallel with us, but prefer to walk upon the prairie grass
rather than these beach pebbles. For my part, I would willingly
dispense with their guard altogether; for in my judgment we are of
sufficient strength to defend ourselves."

"Ay, strong enough against savages," interposed De Croix, his eyes upon
the straggling line ahead; "yet if by any chance treachery was
intended, surely I never saw military formation less adapted for
repelling sudden attack. Mark how those fellows march out yonder!--all
in a bunch, and with not so much as a corporal's guard to protect the
wagons!"

I was no soldier then, and knew little of military formation; but his
criticism seemed just, and I ventured not upon answering it. Indeed,
at that very moment some confusion far in front, where Captain Wells
led his scouts, attracted my attention. We must have been a mile and a
half from the Fort by this time, and I recalled to memory the little
group of trees standing beside the trail where we had halted on our
journey westward to enjoy our earliest glimpse of Dearborn. At first I
could make out little of what was taking place ahead; then suddenly I
saw the squad of Miamis break hastily, like a cloud swept by a whirling
wind, and the next instant could clearly distinguish Captain Wells
riding swiftly back toward the column of infantry, his head bare, and
one arm gesticulating wildly. In a moment the whole line came to a
startled and wondering pause.

"What is it?" questioned Mademoiselle anxiously, shading her eyes.
"Have the Indians attacked us?"

"God knows!" I exclaimed, clinching my rifle firmly. "But it must
be,--look there!"

Wheeling rapidly into line, as if at command, although we could hear no
sound of the order, the soldiers poured one quick volley into the
sand-ridge on their right, and then, with a cheer which floated faintly
back to us, made a wild rush for the summit. This was all I saw of the
struggle in front,--for, with a cry of dismay, the Miamis composing the
rearguard broke from their posts beside the wagons and came running
back past us in a panic of wild terror. I saw Sergeant Jordan throw
himself across their line of flight, striking fiercely with his gun,
and cursing them for a pack of cowardly hounds; but he was thrown
helplessly aside in their blind rush for safety.

"Wayland! De Croix!" he shouted, staggering to his knees, "help me
stop these curs,