ne, the two wagons being placed thirty feet apart, and the
fort sections were used to connect the rear ends of the wagons, so that
a U-shaped fort was thus provided, the open end of the fort being toward
the river, which was the side they had no fear of, so far as the savages
were concerned.

While these preparations were going on no attempt was made to attack
them. "They are either waiting for morning, or for reinforcements," was
Stut's comment.

"Do you think it would be possible to get a messenger through to John?"
asked George.

"Yes; but it would be better to send two."

"We can easily spare them," responded Harry, "and you had better select
them at once."

Two intelligent warriors, one a Saboro, well known to Stut, and an
Osaga, were delegated to run the risk, and they started to the north
along the river.

The night was intensely dark, but notwithstanding this Muro pushed
forward to the south, and the utmost speed, under those conditions, was
not more than a mile or mile and a half an hour.

It was known that reinforcements were on the way from the south. They
might meet such a force, and the utmost caution was necessary. It was
fortunate that the two messengers from Stut heard Muro's warriors, and
for the purpose of determining who they were, approached closely, and
made themselves known.

This intelligence was sufficient for Muro to act. The scouts guided them
back, and as it was beginning to grow light the cracks of several guns
were sufficient to indicate the direction of the wagons, and the fact
that the attack had begun.

Muro was a tactician. The scouts stated the situation, with the
impassible ravine to the north, and the attackers to the south of their
position. His force was on the eastern side of the river, and moving
back a sufficient distance to prevent knowledge of his presence from
reaching the Illyas, went to the south, and crossed the river in their
rear.

The attack of the savages was in force against the wagon, and the
spirited cracks of the guns showed Muro that he must make haste if he
would have a part in it.

Harry and George were seasoned fighters, but in this case they were
entirely in the dark as to the numbers which opposed them. This lack of
knowledge was the only thing which gave them any concern. They knew that
sooner or later John would rescue them in force. The problem was to
resist and gain time.

The Illyas had heretofore proven themselves wonderful fighters and