"Zane, the Indians and the Britishers are getting ready for more determined and persistent effort than any that has yet been made," said Sullivan.
"How so?" asked Silas.
"They have got hammers from the blacksmith's shop, and they boarded my boat and found a keg of nails. Now they are making a number of ladders. If they make a rush all at once and place ladders against the fence we'll have the Fort full of Indians in ten minutes. They can't stand in the face of a cannon charge. We must use the cannon."
"Clarke, go into Capt. Boggs' cabin and fetch out two kegs of powder," said Silas.
The young man turned in the direction of the cabin, while Silas and the others ascended the stairs.
"The firing seems to be all on the south side," said Silas, "and is not so heavy as it was."
"Yes, as I said, the Indians on the river front are busy with their new plans," answered Sullivan.
"Why does not Clarke return?" said Silas, after waiting a few moments at the door of the long room. "We have no time to lose. I want to divide one keg of that powder among the men."
Clarke appeared at the moment. He was breathing heavily as though he had run up the stairs, or was laboring under a powerful emotion. His face was gray.
"I could not find any powder!" he exclaimed. "I searched every nook and corner in Capt. Boggs' house. There is no powder there."