contrary was to be considered a dishonorable and cowardly act.

The North-Enders, on the other hand, agreed to give up the fort whenever
ten of the storming party succeeded in obtaining at one time a footing
on the parapet, and were able to hold the same for the space of two
minutes. Both sides were to abstain from putting pebbles into their
snow-balls, nor was it permissible to use frozen ammunition. A snow-ball
soaked in water and left out to cool was a projectile which in previous
years had been resorted to with disastrous results.

These preliminaries settled, the commanders retired to their respective
corps. The interview had taken place on the hillside between the
opposing lines.

General Harris divided his men into two bodies; the first comprised the
most skilful marksmen, or gunners; the second, the reserve force, was
composed of the strongest boys, whose duty it was to repel the scaling
parties, and to make occasional sallies for the purpose of capturing
prisoners, who were bound by the articles of treaty to faithfully serve
under our flag until they were exchanged at the close of the day.

The repellers were called light infantry; but when they carried on
operations beyond the fort they became cavalry. It was also their duty,
when not otherwise engaged, to manufacture snow-balls. The General's
staff consisted of five Templars (I among the number, with the rank of
Major), who carried the General's orders and looked after the wounded.

General Mat Ames, a veteran commander, was no less wide-awake in the
disposition of his army. Five companies, each numbering but six men,
in order not to present too big a target to our sharpshooters, were to
charge the fort from different points, their advance being covered by a
heavy fire from the gunners posted in the rear. Each scaler was provided
with only two rounds of ammunition, which were not to be used until he
had mounted the breastwork and could deliver his shots on our heads.

The drawing below represents the interior of the fort just previous to
the assault. Nothing on earth could represent the state of things after
the first volley.

(Fort Slatter detail graphic)

The thrilling moment had now arrived. If I had been going into a real
engagement I could not have been more deeply impressed by the importance
of the occasion.

The fort opened fire first--a single ball from the dexterous band of
General Harris taking General Ames in the very pit of his stomach.