They marched boldly up to the gate, and all succeeded in getting inside save the gallant Major, who had waited to be the last man to go in.

Finding it impossible to make the short distance without going under the fire of the Indians, who had rushed up to prevent the relief party from entering the fort, he wheeled his big stallion, and, followed by the yelling band of savages, he took the road leading around back of the fort to the top of the bluff.

The road lay along the edge of the cliff and I saw the Major turn and wave his rifle at us, evidently with the desire of assuring us that he was safe.

Suddenly, on the very summit of the hill, he reined in his horse as if undecided.

I knew in an instant what had happened.
The Major had run right into the returning party of Indians, which had been sent out to intercept our reinforcements.