"Run and tell Colonel Preston," I said in a whisper. "Quick."
Pomp was too well accustomed to obey to hesitate, and he ran off in one
direction round the ruins to where the colonel was defending the
palisade, while I darted off in the other, rushed right up to where the
General was standing calmly enough giving directions.
As I reached him I heard him utter the word, "Forward!" and about twenty
men moving round, and were evidently going up to the part from which I
had come.
My news resulted in their recall, and that of the men defending the
palisade, orders being given to fall back toward the rough defence made
in the centre of the enclosure, which we reached in safety, just as we
found that Colonel Preston's men were falling back towards us, firing as
they came, but toward the direction from which the new danger
threatened.
The way in which the defence had been planned stood us in good stead
now, for as our party was halted, waiting for the colonel's men, a loud
yelling came from behind the block-house ruins, and the rapid beat of
feet told plainly enough that a large body of the enemy had clambered in
and were coming on.
Any want of promptitude would have resulted in the Indians getting
between our two little forces; but a sharp order was given, and a volley
rattled out--the flashing of the pieces showing in a dimly-seen line the
fierce faces of our enemies, who appeared to be thrown into confusion,
but who still came on, when a second volley was poured into them, and
that was followed by one from the Colonel's men, the last checking them
so effectually that we had time to get well behind the breastwork and
reload.
I say we, though I was unarmed, but still I had played my part; and as
soon as I could get through the men crowded behind our last defence, I
hurried to where my father was anxiously awaiting my return, and the
report which I had to make.