was lively work. A single shot brought poor
young Boyd to the ground; in making for the fort Andrew Zane leaped a
terrific distance (the stories say, seventy feet) down a cliff bank;
but the six Indians did not pursue far, none of the other Indians took
part, and Andrew Zane, Samuel Tomlinson and the negro reached safety.

"How many out there, Andy?"

"Six is all we counted. We saw no sign of more," panted Andrew Zane.

"By thunder, we can't let Boyd lie unavenged, without a try. That's
beyond human nature. With Colonel Shepherd's permission I'll take some
men and shake the rascals up," Captain Mason exclaimed.

Out he marched, with fourteen of his company. The six Indians decoyed
them on. Those scores of fierce eyes that had been peering from trees
and corn-stalks, waiting for the morning to break and for this very
sally to occur, focussed on the sight.

Suddenly the war-whoop rang. Behind, and on either flank of the
Captain Mason party the painted scalps and faces of the Indians rose
above the tassels and brush--their muskets belched smoke and lead
through the fog.

Wellnigh by the one volley two-thirds of the men fell; the others
turned in retreat. Soon it become every man for himself. William
Shepherd, son of Colonel Shepherd, almost gained the stockade. Shelter
beckoned, faintly seen. But his foot caught in a grape-vine, down he
pitched, head-long, and a war-club finished him. Captain Mason and his
sergeant burst through the Indian line, and raced up the slope, for the
protection of the loop-holes. The captain had been twice wounded, and
had lost his rifle.

Midway, the sergeant dropped. Captain Mason paused for a moment, to
help him.

"No use, Cap. I've got to stay. Take my gun and save yourself.
Better one, here, than two."

It had to be. Captain Mason took the gun. Without a weapon, the brave
and crippled sergeant died like a hero.

An Indian, tomahawk in hand, pursued the captain close. Captain Mason
sensed the lifted hatchet poised to split his head. He was too weak to
run farther--he whirled, to grapple. He had not noticed that the
sergeant's rifle was loaded. By a vigorous shove he pushed the Indian
backward, down hill, and the tomahawk blade was buried in the ground.
The gun! It was loaded and capped! He leveled and fired just in time,
and the Indian, at the very muzzle, fell dead.

The captain made onward. He concealed himself under a large felled
tree; remained there