"Pass in." Tom had never before seen a fortress, and surveyed with eager interest the rows of heavy guns, and the cannon-balls in conical shaped piles, and the long, four-storied brick buildings extending around the spacious square, from the centre of which rose the flagstaff. Grimly as frowned the guns and warlike munitions, the neatness and order that reigned had a pleasing effect on Tom's mind. And within those many-roomed buildings, standing amid the solitudes of the wilderness, in the families of the officers gayety and mirth often held carnival. Already a gush of music, elicited by fair fingers from a richly-toned piano, was borne through an open window into the court below. Then a clear, sweet voice accompanied the instrument. "Pooty as a bird, and a plaguy sight nicer," exclaimed the little man as he frisked about, hitching his horse to an iron-ringed post. Tom and his friend were shown into the dining-room of the commander of the fort. The officer was an early riser, and breakfasted betimes. The mahogany extension table was set with an elegant service. General McElroy was a tall, slender man, with iron-gray hair and weather-beaten face. His wife, a richly-dressed, stately lady, sat at the head of the table, and a boy of seven, in Highland costume, was at her side, while black Nancy flitted in and out with viands in her hands. "Well, my lad," said the general, sedately, "what do you want of me?" motioning his callers to be seated. Tom commenced to state the occasion of his calling, and the general's stolid features lighted up with growing interest; and he said,-- "Wait a moment, my boy; I guess you've a message important enough, and it will save time for you to relate it to two of us at once;" and pulling a bell-rope, a soldier appeared, to whom he said,-- "Tell Captain Manly that I wish to see him." In a moment the last-named personage came in. He was about forty, of frank, open face, and soldierly bearing. Tom liked him at the first glance. "Captain," said the general, "I want you to hear this boy's story. Commence again, my lad, and state the whole as briefly and connectedly as you can." When Tom finished his recital, "You are a brave little fellow," said the general, "and in my opinion, if you were in the ranks, you would be sure to be well spoken of;" then turning to the captain, he added, "This is grave business, Manly, and something should be done for the settlers whom this boy represents. I heard that an Indian called at the fort, and tried to make us understand that there was an uprising; and I suppose it was this Long Hair that the lad tells about, but I did not attach much importance to what he said. And now, Manly, I want you to take a detachment of men,--for I think I can depend on you to do it up right. See that they are well mounted and provisioned, and that their arms are in good order,--but you understand all about that,--and go to the relief of the settlement that these villains have beset."