A minute later the flash of a musket and the thud of a bullet told the defenders of Fort Strong that the battle had opened.
A single gun from the fort sent a defiance to the hidden foes, and for the space of an hour quiet reigned.
Captain Strong now seemed eager to defend the block-house to the last, and exchanged words of encouragement with the settlers as he inspected the defenses.
“Well, we’re in for it, now, Morgan,” he said, in a low tone, to a burly fellow stationed near the gate where, a few hours before, so much blood had been shed. “They refuse to surrender, and now your part of the work comes. Are you ready?”
“Yes,” answered the sentry, glancing around. “The darkness will aid me.”
“Can you scale the wall?”
“Easily from the inside here.”
“Then make haste. You know the signal. I will do the rest.”
Captain Strong slipped a piece of paper into the guard’s hand as he spoke the last word, and turned away.
The next moment Morgan Sawyer scaled the pickets, and dropped to the ground on the outer side!