re for such a calamity, and therefore retired to another
part of the hill, and managed to secrete ourselves from observation by
keeping within the shadow of a friendly tree.

We had not been in our position more than fifteen minutes when we heard
a clash of arms, and the sound of many feet in motion. The soldiers were
formed in two columns, and were rushing with headlong speed towards the
palisades.

The movement was so sudden that the miners were entirely unprepared.
Many of them were asleep, and others had laid their guns aside, and were
at work strengthening the fortifications when the soldiers commenced the
attack. A number of the bravest raised a shout and discharged their
muskets at the approaching columns, but the soldiers did not falter.
They answered the cheer of the miners with a yell, at the sound of which
many of the young men became panic-stricken, threw down their arms, and
fled for their lives.

Amid the uproar I could hear the loud voice of Ross urging his men to
stand to their posts firmly and fight to the last, and a few obeyed, and
poured straggling volleys upon the red coats. Occasionally I could hear
the sharp crack of the American rifle, and I felt sorry to think that my
countrymen were fighting against men who would show them no mercy if
victory perched upon the banner of the government officials.

Cheer after cheer both parties gave, and then there was heard the sound
of axes and the placing of scaling ladders, as the soldiers gained the
palisades.

"On them, bullies!" shouted a voice, which I recognized as Colonel
Kellum's; "show the d----d rebels no quarter! Kill, kill, kill!"

The soldiers had got their blood up, and responded to the barbarous
orders with a yell like famished tigers on the scent of blood. The
timbers were torn away, and in rushed the disciplined men, firing volley
after volley upon all who met their view. We could hear the groans of
the wounded, and shrieks of the dying, until at last the firing ceased
for the want of victims, many having made their escape.

"Do you surrender?" we heard the colonel shout; and although we could
not see whom he addressed, we suspected that Ross and his boldest
adherents were making a stand in the enclosure.

"Let us try and save them," cried Fred; and without listening to our
warning, he started towards the palisade, followed close by Mr. Brown,
Smith, and myself.

The soldiers took but little notice of us, thinking that we were
gover