“It can only mean one thing,” said the colonel, excitedly. “They would not trouble much about plunder.”
“What do you mean then?” said my father; “a point from which to attack?”
“No,” said the colonel, hoarsely. “That!”
As he said the words, there was a faint gleam of light in the direction of the house, a flash, then quite a burst of ruddy flame; and by the time we reached Morgan, his face was lit up by the glow as the wooden structure blazed away rapidly, and the flames like great golden tongues licked at porch and veranda; while from one window, which showed quite plainly, so great a volume rushed out that it showed where the house had been fired.
There was no need to sound an alarm, the great golden fire-flag which floated in the darkness of the night brought every man out to gaze; and as the flames mounted higher, illuminating the settlement far and near, the other houses stood forth plainly, the trees seemed turned to gold, and the wavy corn and cane came into sight and died out again in a way wonderful to behold.
“Preston! Bruton!” said a firm voice, “round to the men. Every one on his guard. Reserves in the centre ready. This is a ruse to take our attention prior to an attack.”
I looked up admiringly at the stern old man, who gave his orders so promptly, and then saw my father and the colonel hurry off, while the General shaded his eyes, and looked keenly over the place.
“No,” he said, as if to himself, as he drew back. “Ah, you boys! Your eyes are young and sharp. Try if you can see the Indians crossing along by the edges of either of the plantations, or coming this way.”
“No, sir,” I said, quickly. “I have been trying to see them.”
“Injum gone round dah,” said Pomp, pointing.