“They are,” replied Frank. “All the villages for a hundred miles around the fortifications are pouring braves into it. There is something of great moment about to be attempted.” “They are better armed than I ever saw Indians before,” put in Jack. “And they are drilling and practicing the maneuvers of the white man’s sort of warfare.” General Jackson, with a quietness of demeanor which was ominous, asked a number of pertinent questions; and when he had learned all they had to tell, he said: “That will do. And as you go out, give my compliments to Colonel Coffee and beg him to step into my room.” When they were outside, Frank said in a low, exultant tone: “That means a move of some sort, as sure as you live.” Colonel Coffee was closeted with the commander for perhaps an hour; then other officers of rank were summoned. The result was that on the following day Jackson led a force of nine hundred mounted riflemen, some two hundred Cherokees and a cannon for use against the Creek fortifications. Five days this little army marched through the wilderness; then camp was made upon the banks of Emuckfan Creek at a place only three miles from the Indian fort against which they were moving. Preparations were made for a sharp blow to be delivered next day; guards were placed about the camp in the charge of alert young woodsmen, among whom were Jack and Frank. Quiet reigned in the forest; the water of the stream went rippling over the stones in its bed, the wind stirred in the tops of the trees, the stars looked down peacefully. But even in the midst of the quiet, Jack was not at rest. “I don’t know just why it is,” said he, “but I’ve got the feeling that something is going to happen.” “It’s the same with me,” replied Frank, in the same whispering tone which his friend had used. There was a short pause, then he added: “I suppose I’m foolish for thinking so, but somehow I’ve got the notion that the Creeks are on the move to-night.” “What makes you feel that?” asked Jack, and there was a note in his voice which Frank knew as mingled eagerness and alarm. “I fancied I heard and saw something several times off there to the south and west,” said the young Virginian. “That settles it,” breathed Jack. “I’ve been thinking the same thing. And the fact that we both saw and heard it shows that it is true.” Quickly, but with caution, the word was passed to the guard; at once it began to pass from man to man on watch about the camp. Then the lads stole back to the line of tents, and in a few minutes the men were aroused and stood under arms awaiting the word from their officers.