Duke now dashed into the circle of light and out again, barking furiously. His hoarse voice wakened Farley and his messmates. They stumbled to their feet, sleepily rubbing their eyes. “What in dingnation’s all this hullabaloo ’bout, anyhow?” Joe demanded irritably. “The Indians are upon us!” cried Ross. “Secure your arms—and make yourselves ready for battle. I’m off to warn the officers.” And striking the breech of his rifle, to prime it, Douglas bounded away toward the governor’s tent. “Jest as I pr’dicted,” Farley growled. “Dang-it-all-to-dingnation! Hang-it-up-an’-take-it-down-an’-cook-it! Did anybody ever hear o’ such dang fools as Injins is? Git up in the _night_ to fight! Dodrot that Kaintuckian! He’s the cause o’ all this—he is, by the Queen o’ Sheby! He might ’ave knowed his caterwaulin’ ’ld bring on a rumpus—even Injins can’t stand no such unearthly noise as he makes. Great snakes—it’s darker ’n a squaw’s pocket!” It was about four o’clock in the morning—the darkest hour in the twenty-four. The moon had risen, but was veiled by heavy clouds. The rain still fell. The smoldering camp-fires shed a faint, uncertain light over the scene. Governor Harrison had already arisen and was sitting by the fire in front of his tent. He had just pulled on his boots and was conversing with the members of his staff, who sprawled upon blankets, in a circle around the red embers. They were waiting for the signal to turn out. In a few minutes the drum would have beaten reveille. Of a sudden the report of a rifle, followed by an Indian yell, broke the stillness of the camp, and brought the officers to their feet. “What’s the meaning of that?” Harrison asked sharply. At that moment Ross Douglas leaped into the circle of light, shouting: “An attack! An attack, governor! The savages are upon us! A sentry has just fired upon one and——” His words were drowned in a torrent of Indian war-whoops. Then followed the crash and roar of discharging firearms. A streak of flame ran along the western picket line. The sentries came flying into camp. The Indians were making an onslaught on the left wing. In a moment all was bustle and excitement. The suddenness of the attack almost caused a panic. But the commander was the firm rock upon which the wave of consternation broke. Hastily mounting his horse, he dashed toward the point of conflict, shouting his orders right and left as he went. Drum and bugle called to arms. The soldiers tumbled out, formed in line, and rushed to meet the foe. The battle was on in earnest.