Part 35 (1/2)

”It's soeon say so,” answered his cousin

At night a strict watch was kept, and twice old Benson went out to reconnoiter

”The Indians and desperadoes have surrounded us on all sides,” he announced ”But it don't look as if theyit began to rain, but this cleared away by noon, and then the sun boiled down as fiercely as ever The sunny spots within the stockade were suffocating, and the boys were glad enough to stay within the cool walls of the stone fort

As far as he was able Captain Moore had prepared the place to resist an attack A weak spot in the stockade was strengthened and the cannon of the fort were put in the best possible condition The soldiers were told where to go in case of a sudden alarm, and were cautioned not to waste any ameon's efforts Colonel Fairfield was now soet up or to e affairs, so the command still remained in Captain Moore's hands Even Captain Lee was non, and it was a question whether he would live or die

”You must do your best, Captain Moore,” said the colonel feebly ”I know I can trust you You are brave, and your training has been a judicious one”

Early that night there came a sudden alarm, followed by two rifle shots in quick succession At once there was a co to his post

”The Indians and desperadoes !” cried Joe, and ran for the rifle hich he had been armed

The cause of the alarm, however, was not from without, but frouardhouse, and at the risk of breaking his neck had climbed to the roof of the barn and leaped over the stockade into the ditch outside

A guard had seen the leap and had fired on the ht, in the shoulder Then a second guard had discharged his weapon, but by this ti darkness

”Hecaptain ”If he does, they will attack us at once After him, Benson, and you, too, Forshew and Donaldson I will folloith some horses!”

Without delay the old scout climbed the stockade and scraate, and soon several additional soldiers followed On second thought Captain Moore sent the horses out by a lieutenant, thinking it best that he re prio?” asked Joe

”No, Joe, stay where you are,” said his brother ”If that rascal gets to his friends there will be work enough here, never fear”

The pursuit of Bicker lasted for over an hour, and brought on a smart skirmish between the men from the fort and the desperadoes, in which one person on each side was slightly wounded But the rascal ain the enemy's camp in safety, and then those from the fort came back as fast as possible to report

”Now the deception is up,” said Captain Moore, with a serious look ”I wouldn't be surprised to see theht you are, captain,” replied old Benson, ”and ht hard, when once they get going,”

he concluded

CHAPTER XXVIII

THE DEMANDS OF THE ENEMY

It was an hour later, when the excitement had cooled down a little, that Captain Moore sent for Benson again Wondering as to follow, the old scout hurried to the roo his business

”I want a little talk with you in private, Benson,” said the young officer