obably with the intention of
attacking the fort. They might be expected to appear before noon on the
following day. The loyal natives, who had by this time been organised
and well drilled, were therefore summoned in, with their wives and
children, as were also all the people whose dwellings were situated in
exposed situations, and were likely to be destroyed by the enemy. An
ample supply of provisions had been stored for such an emergency, so
that there was no fear of starvation. The scarcity of ammunition was
their chief cause of anxiety, and orders were issued not to throw a shot
away.

The day passed away without the appearance of the enemy. At night,
however, every one was on the alert, as it was thought probable that the
rebels, unaware that their approach was known, might attempt to surprise
them.

Dawn broke, and still all was quiet; but as the sun rose, an officer,
who had climbed to a lookout station on a neighbouring height, with his
field-glass observed the glittering weapons of a large body in the far
distance. He hurried down with the intelligence; and in a short time
the advancing host, composed of a body of cavalry, several pieces of
artillery, and a large number of foot, could be seen from the fort
itself. It was evident that the enemy were aware of the strength of the
place, but expected quickly to capture it with this overwhelming force.
The garrison, however, undaunted, prepared for its defence. The ladies
were placed in the rear of the fort, situated behind some rocks, where
they would be protected from the shot. The horses were also picketed in
a situation as much as possible out of harm's way.

The enemy, trusting to their numbers, came on boldly, halting at a
little distance to reform their ranks, and immediately opened a hot fire
on the fort. The garrison replied to it with spirit, the two guns being
worked by the artillerymen with great rapidity. It appeared as if the
enemy were about to take the place by storm, when the hot reception they
met with induced them to abandon their design; and so great was the
execution made by the two guns of the fort, that they at length
retreated beyond their range, and firing on both sides ceased.

Gladly would Colonel Ross have husbanded his ammunition, but had a
feeble fire been kept up at first, it would have encouraged the enemy to
come on with greater determination. Several of the garrison had been
killed or wounded, but none of the officers