"I think we have men enough to handle it," I replied. "It is almost night, and we must hurry up, though it will not take us long after we get started."
Two of our boats were bateau, and the other was Mr. Gracewood's barge. Two men were placed in each, and the others upon the raft. I sat in the stern of the barge to tend the drag-rope. Mr. Jackson was in one of the bateaux. The lines were cast off, and the men, with their setting-poles, pushed the raft from the shore. The current soon acted upon it, carrying it over towards the north side of the river. We followed the course taken by the raft on which we had transported the twelve-pounder; and, profiting by the experience gained in that enterprise, we guided our huge structure safely to the landing at the mouth of Fish River. We landed our check-lines in season this time, and everything worked entirely to our satisfaction. It was nearly dark now, and we moored the raft to the shore for the night. The bed of the wounded Indian was removed to the shanty, and the surgeon sent for.
The lieutenant and myself went to the Castle to report progress, while the soldiers sought their camp. Mr. Gracewood staid in the house all the time. He had hardly been out during the day. He was so rejoiced at the reunion of his little family that he was not willing to leave his loved ones even for a moment.
"I hope you left the piano where it will be safe on the island, Phil Farringford," said Mr. Gracewood, when I had told him we had brought over the house.
"No, sir; we did not."
"Did not? You know I love that instrument, and I hope, before the summer is past, to hear Ella play upon it."
"We brought it with us, sir," I replied.
"Impossible!" exclaimed he.
"It is on the raft down at the landing."
"Phil is quite an engineer, and is entitled to all the credit of its removal," added the lieutenant, who explained the means by which the piano had been moved to the river, and floated to the landing.