."

The men from the Fort, who were in front, slowed down a little at this,
dropping from the double into a sharp, quick walk; but the report of a
second gun, and then the crackle of rifle-firing, started them again
into a steady trot, and I found myself forgetting my weariness, and
running by Mr Raydon step for step.

The firing grew sharper as we neared the palisade, which was dimly seen
in the starlight, and the flashes of the rifles and the lights we saw
going here and there added to the excitement of the scene as Mr Raydon
said aloud--

"They have got in, and are trying to take the west block-house. Too
late! they have taken it," he cried, as a burst of cheering rose from
within the great fence. Then in a quick whisper he bade the men halt,
about a dozen yards from the gateway.

"Mr Barker," he said, "keep the gate, and come to our help if we want
it. Don't let a man pass. No bloodshed if you can help it--prisoners.
Now, Hudson's Bay boys, ready!"

A fresh burst of cheering arose just then, and directly after the loud
shriek of a woman, and a voice I knew as Esau's roaring out angry words.

"Forward!" said Mr Raydon. "Open out into line, and use the butts of
your rifles."

I ran with them from the force of example, and carried away by the
excitement, as our men charged rapidly across the enclosure to where, in
happy ignorance of the fact that help was at hand, the gang of
scoundrels were busy binding their prisoners, whom they had just dragged
out of the block-house. But the next minute there was a yell of rage
and hate, with the sound of heavy blows, pistol-shots, oaths and curses,
and then the pattering of feet, and Mr Raydon's voice rang out.

"Four men your way," he cried; and directly after there was a repetition
of the blows, shots, and yells, followed by a cheer from the gate.

For the last of the gang had been beaten down, and as pine-torches were
lit, the wounded were separated from the uninjured, and these latter
were placed in rows under a strong guard; while explanations followed,
Grey assuring us that the women were safe; that the cry came from Mrs
Dean, who had tried to protect her son; and that we had come just in
time, after a desperate struggle, first at the gate, and lastly at the
block-house, which he had defended as vigorously as his limited means
would allow. But at last, after being wounded twice, and his two most
helpful men laid low, he had succumbed to a desperate rush.