Major Braithwaite acted with promptness. All the men and larger boys were now coming forth from the houses, bringing their rifles, and as he assigned them to places the Indian war cry rose in the forest on three sides of the fort, and bullets pattered on the wooden palisade. CHAPTER XIII AT THE FORT The cry of the warriors in the woods was answered by a single cry from the log houses. It was that of the women and children, but it was not repeated. They had learned the frontier patience and courage and they settled themselves down to helping--the women and all the children that were large enough--and to waiting. The men at the palisade replied to the Indian volley, some shooting from the crest, while others sent their bullets through loopholes. Major Braithwaite was standing erect near Henry. After the volley and reply, followed by silence, he took one look about to see that the palisade was well-manned. Then it seemed to Henry that his figure stiffened and grew taller. His nostrils distended and a spark appeared in his eyes. The old soldier smelt the fire and smoke of battle once more, and the odor was not wholly ungrateful to him. "Young sir," he said, turning to Henry, "we owe you a great debt. You got here just in time to save us from surprise." "I'm glad," replied Henry, "that one of us was lucky enough to get through." "One of you? What did you mean? Did others start?" Henry flushed. He had not meant to say anything about the circumstances of his coming. It was a slip, but he could not take it back. "There were five of us when we started," he said. "We were sure that at least one of us would get here." "Good God! You do not mean to tell me that the others have all been killed?" "No," replied Henry confidently. "They were wounded or broke down. I'll find 'em or they'll find me. We've been ahead of a fleet that is carrying arms, ammunition, and other things for our people in the east. That fleet ought to reach here in a few days." The Major's face showed a little relief. "Pray God it will come in time," he said earnestly. "We need it here, and so do our brethren in the east. What do you think is likely to happen here? My experience with the Indians on the Canada frontier tells me that I can never know what to expect of them. But you've probably had more experience in that way." The boy, before answering, looked up at the sky. It had grown darker. It was a very timid moon, and nearly every star had withdrawn. "They'll try to rush us soon," he replied. "The night helps them. How many men have you got?" "About eighty, but counting the half-grown boys and several women who can shoot we are able to put a hundred rifles into the defense." "Then we can hold 'em back for a long time," said Henry. "Tell the men to watch well at the palisade, and I'll take a look around."