defenders stood
ready at their posts, partly under cover, and so arrayed as easily to
put themselves so, and were armed in very nearly the same manner with
the assailing party. In this guise of formidable defence, they waited
patiently the onset.

There was a brief pause after their arrival, on the part of the invading
force, which was employed principally in consultation as to the proper
mode of procedure, and in examination of the ground. Their plan of
attack, depending altogether upon the nature of circumstances yet to be
seen, had not been deliberated upon before. The consultation lasted not
long, however, and no man's patience was too severely tried. Having
deputed the command to the landlord, they left the matter pretty much to
that person; nor was their choice unhappy.

Munro had been a partisan well-taught in Indian warfare, and it was said
of him, that he knew quite as well how to practise all their subtleties
as themselves. The first object with him, therefore, in accordance with
his reputation, was to devise some plot, by which not only to destroy
the inequality of chances between the party assailing and that defending
a post now almost impregnable, but to draw the latter entirely out of
their defences. Still, it was deemed but courteous, or prudent at least,
to see what could be done in the way of negotiation; and their leader,
with a white handkerchief attached to a young sapling, hewn down for the
purpose, by way of apology for a flag, approached the besieged, and in
front of his men demanded a conference with the usurping chief.

The demand was readily and at once answered by the appearance of the
already named George Dexter; a man who, with little sagacity and but
moderate cunning, had yet acquired a lead and notoriety among his
fellows, even in that wild region, simply from the reckless boldness and
fierce impetuosity of his character. It is useless to describe such a
person. He was a ruffian--in look and manner, ruffianly--huge of frame,
strong and agile of limb, and steeled against all fear, simply from a
brute unconsciousness of all danger. There was little of preliminary
matter in this conference. Each knew his man, and the business in hand.
All was direct, therefore, and to the point. Words were not to be wasted
without corresponding fruits, though the colloquy began, on the part of
Munro, in terms of the most accredited courtesy.

"Well, George Dexter, a pleasant morning to you in your new
ac