It is the strongest building in the place, and has loopholes from which a hot fire can be poured out upon an approaching foe.

The Indians here have great stores of gunpowder and arms--given them by the French to keep up the border war.

Unless we can take them by surprise, we be all dead men; for they are as ten to one, and are armed to the teeth." Charles's face in the moonlight was set and stern.
"Here is a stack of wood," he said.

"Let every man take his fagot; but be silent as death." Plainly these men knew what they had come to do.

In perfect silence, yet with an exercise of considerable strength, they loaded themselves with the dry brushwood, and split logs which the Indians had cut and piled up ready for use either to burn or for the building of their huts.