find out
whether the fort was occupied, before exposing the troop to view," said
Juan.

As he spoke we saw two of the horsemen ride forward, and Juan resolved
to remain until the result was known. We now took a careful survey of
the country before us.

"I can nowhere see a body moving which has the appearance of troops,"
observed Juan. "But there are so many woods and inequalities in the
ground by which they might be concealed, that we must not trust to that.
If, however, they have not already got possession of the fort, we shall
have ample time to make such preparations as may be required for our
defence. Duncan, take you the glass and see if you can discover
anything which may have escaped my eye."

I did as he requested, and swept the surrounding country again and
again. At last I saw what I thought looked like a dark shadow creeping
slowly along over the brow of a hill from the westward, and descending
towards us. Here and there was a slight glitter, as if the sun's rays
were playing on polished steel.

I handed the glass to Juan, who was soon satisfied that what we saw was
a body of troops. As, however, they were still some leagues away, and
as they had a river to cross and some heights to climb, it would be
several hours before they could reach the fort. We now felt sure that
it, at all events, was not yet occupied. Dismounting, therefore, we led
our horses down a steep path, by which we were at length able to rejoin
our regiment. About the same time the scouts came back with the
information that the fort was unoccupied. We accordingly rode forward
and took possession.

It consisted of a strong stockade composed of whole logs of wood, with a
deep trench in front of it. The huts were in a very dilapidated
condition, but they would still afford some shelter to the garrison;
while a stone tower in the centre, also surrounded by a trench, formed a
sort of citadel as well as a storehouse. It comprised a ground floor,
with a vault beneath, which served as a magazine, and two stories above
without any divisions. In one of these were a few rough articles of
furniture, which had been intended for the use of officers; and in the
upper story, which had been used as an hospital, were a number of
bedsteads covered with hides; while above the roof was a loopholed wall
running all round, for musketry. Behind the fort was a wide space
completely protected by impracticable heights and the fort in front, on
wh