effect this, and at sunrise they would attack and destroy the front door
with their tomahawks.

With the darkness of night a certain degree of anxiety came over us, for
we knew not what devilish plan the Indians might hit upon; I placed
sentries in every corner of the block-house, and we waited in silence;
while our enemies, having lighted a large fire, cooked their victuals,
and though we could not hear the import of their words, it was evident
that they considered the post as in their power. Half of them, however,
laid down to sleep, and towards midnight the stillness was uninterrupted
by any sound, whilst their half-burnt logs ceased to throw up their
bright flames. Knowing how busy we should be in the morning, I thought
that till then I could not do better than refresh myself by a few hours'
repose. I was mistaken.

I had scarcely closed my eyes when I heard the dull regular noise of the
axe upon trees. I looked cautiously; the sounds proceeded from the
distance, and upon the shores of the river, and behind the camp of the
savages, dark forms were moving in every direction, and we at last
discovered that the Umbiquas were making ladders to scale the upper
doors of our little towers.

This, of course, was to us a matter of little or no consideration, as we
were well prepared to receive them: yet we determined not to let them
know our strength within until the last moment, when we should be
certain with our firearms to bring down five of them at the first
discharge. Our Indians took their bows and selected only such arrows as
were used by their children when fishing, so that the hostile party
might attribute their wounds and the defence of their buildings to a few
bold and resolute boys.