HOUSE--DISAPPEARANCE OF THE INDIAN--BARTLE GOES
OUT TO RECONNOITRE--APPROACH OF THE ENEMY--A DETERMINED ATTACK--SEVERE
LOSSES--THE OUT-BUILDINGS SET ON FIRE--OUR AMMUNITION RUNS SHORT--THE
ROOF TAKES FIRE--HOW ARE WE TO ESCAPE?--UNCLE JEFF'S RUSE, AND HOW IT
SUCCEEDED.

The Indian girl readily undertook the charge of our baggage-mules and
property, as well as of the deserters' wheel-barrow, which she promised
should be sent back to the farm. Having secured the muskets of the two
men to our own saddles, we made them mount and ride on before us, so
that they might have no opportunity of running away. Gillooly pulled as
long a face as his jovial countenance was capable of, while that of
Klitz elongated even more than was its wont.

"We shall probably have some sharp fighting, my lads; and if you behave
well I intend to overlook your conduct; but if not, you must take the
consequences," said the lieutenant.

"Sure, if we get sight of an inemy, I will do nothing to disgrace the
name of Gillooly," answered Barney.

Klitz muttered something in German, but what it was I could not make
out. They were neither of them likely to fight for honour and glory; at
the same time, I had little doubt but they would blaze away at an enemy,
when they knew that by failing to do so they would lose their scalps.

"Tell the `Fair Lily' that I have heard of the danger by which she is
threatened, and that if she will come here Maysotta will take care of
her, and cherish her as a sister," said the Indian girl, as I was about
to vault into my saddle.

I thanked her, and told her that I was sure Clarice would be glad to
meet with her. I was much struck by the artless manners of the young
Indian girl, who, although endowed with the features of her race,
possessed a beauty rarely seen among them.

"Move on, lads; we must be at Roaring Water before nightfall," cried the
lieutenant. "Keep together, and do not pull rein until I give the
order. Remember that I will stand no nonsense; and the first of you who
plays any trick, I will shoot him through the head."

"Arrah! sure, we will be afther obeying your honour, thin," cried
Barney, as he and Klitz galloped on ahead--the lieutenant giving them
the order to turn to the right or to the left as was necessary.

We kept on at a good pace. The Indian mustangs, although somewhat
small, were strong and wiry; and our horses, having had a good feed,
were perfectly fresh. The distance, therefore, w