"I wish I knew," answered Franklin, sadly; "and yet what could I do?"
"We must get out of here as quickly as possible. How much ammunition have you reserved?"
"Twenty-five rounds per man."
"How about provisions?"
"We have enough for a long march. We'll take all we can, and give the remainder to the Indians on reaching Fort Wayne."
"How many horses have you?"
"Enough for the officers and the women, as well as for the waggons. The children can go in the waggons."
"Things are better than I feared," said Wells. "I hope we'll get through all right—at any rate we'll do our best."
Orders were given for an early start on the following morning, and the baggage of each person was limited to the absolute essentials. The day passed in active preparations for departure, and the appearance of Captain Wells, with the guard, had lightened the situation considerably.
All of the pine knots that were left were fastened between the bars of the stockade, as the soldiers had determined to illuminate in honour of Captain Wells. The day had promised to be a little cooler, but the lake breeze of early morning soon retreated before the onslaught of the south-west wind.