THE MASKED ATTACK Light clouds floated before the moon, and the surface of the lake was ruffled by a southern wind.

As no attack was anticipated from the south, the guard in that quarter was comparatively small, but it was composed, nevertheless, of good men, the boat builders mostly, but all experienced with the rifle and under the direct command of Carson.

But the main force was always kept facing the forest, and, there, behind the logs, Colden stood with the four--Black Rifle again being outside.
The hooting of the owls had not been repeated and the long wait had become hard upon the nerves of the young Philadelphia captain.
"Do you feel sure that they will attack to-night ?" he asked Willet.
"Perhaps St.Luc, seeing the strength of our position, will draw off or send to Montcalm for cannon, which doubtless would take a week." The hunter shook his head.
"St.Luc will not go away," he said, "nor will he send for cannon, which would take too long.

He will not use his strength alone, he will depend also upon wile and stratagem, against which we must guard every minute.

I think I'll take my own men and go outside.