“You bring bad news, miss,” said the officer, “and yet I fear true tidings, as I know the bitterness of the Indians to those who would settle here. To-morrow night, you say, they will commence the attack?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And Major Wells will not be up before day after to-morrow, hasten as he may, and I have but fourteen men with me,” was the thoughtful statement.
“You have other troops coming, then, sir?” asked Ruth anxiously.
“Yes, over a hundred troopers; I was merely an advance guard; here, Wentworth, hasten back with all dispatch and ask Major Wells to ride his horses down but that he reaches here to-morrow night.”
The captain turned to a horseman who was half scout, half soldier, and a bold-looking fellow, who promptly replied:
“I’ll fetch him, Captain Archer, if hoofs can make it!”
“Do so, Wentworth, and bring him to this point, do you hear?”
“Aye, aye, sir!” and away dashed the courier at full speed.