fence. At length he again
stopped, having satisfied himself that the building was fortified, and
contained a garrison.

"Friends," he shouted, "do you want to lose your scalps? If not, march
out and leave this house to us. We mean to come in."

Uncle Jeff now appeared at the window opposite to where the Indian was
standing.

"Clear out of this, you rascal!" he exclaimed. "We do not intend that
you shall have our scalps, or get inside these walls. If you make the
attempt, you will pay dearly for it; that is what I've got to say."

The Indian seemed to recognize Uncle Jeff. "You, Jeff Crockett," he
shouted out, "you good man! If you like to go out you may go, and we
take scalps of rest."

Uncle Jeff burst into a loud laugh.

"That's a likely thing," he thundered out. "If it was not for your white
flag, I would treat you as you deserve."

The tone of voice in which this was said convinced the Indian that Uncle
Jeff was in earnest; and in no very dignified fashion he scampered off
to rejoin his companions.

The whole of the band now united in giving utterance to a terrific
war-whoop, and came rushing up to the house. There was no longer any
doubt as to their intentions; they halted for a moment to fire, and then
came right on at a rapid pace, up to the palisade.

"Now, lads, give it them!" shouted Uncle Jeff; and every bullet fired by
our little garrison brought down one of our foes.

The death of their companions served but to inflame the rage of the
rest; and climbing up over the palisade of which I have spoken, they
attempted to get into the enclosure. Several were shot down in the act;
but others succeeded in reaching the enclosure, though they soon paid
dearly for their activity, as they were shot down as soon as we could
reload our rifles. The loss of so many men in their first attack seemed
to discourage the rest, and they drew off to a distance, under such
shelter as they could find.

"We have soon settled the fellows; they have had enough of it," cried
some of our men.

"Wait a bit, lads," said Bartle; "that is not the Indian fashion. They
will be upon us again before long."

He was right; in a few minutes a considerable number of the
enemy were seen moving round, in order to get to the rear of the
out-buildings--Bartle and Gideon meanwhile picking off two or three who
incautiously exposed themselves. Having gained the position they
desired, they made a rush towards the buildings, which sheltered t