186 THE CITADEL. 



course, my horses came in for their share ; and it 

 was astonishing how soon, with rest and abundance, 

 they improved in appearance. 



( The old man/ my companion, did not like Soule 

 a bit more than I did ; and as among the assembly 

 he found only a few acquaintances, and no intimates, 

 he remained on the best of terms with me. Although 

 he said very little, I felt convinced that if I should 

 get into any scrape with this rough crowd, I had a 

 friend who would stand by me. 



The camp, standing upon a slight elevation above 

 the surrounding country, was conveniently situated 

 for a supply of water. It was well sheltered from 

 the north and west, from which quarters the pre- 

 vailing winds in winter blow ; and was surrounded 

 by a rough fencing of logs and boughs. In the 

 centre of this inclosure was a citadel, composed of 

 logs drawn together, resembling a half-built barn of 

 immense size, loop-holed on every face for musketry. 

 Within shelter of this building, many of the garrison 

 slept. Those who were possessors of dusky wives 

 had shanties, or huts, or whatever they chose to call 

 them, leaning against its outer walls. 



This fortress was admirably suited for the pur- 

 pose for which it was intended. A garrison of a few 

 determined men with an abundant supply of ammu- 

 nition, might have kept ten times their number at 

 bay, unless attacked on all sides at the same mo- 

 ment, and overpowered before they had time to use 

 their arms. Even after such a contretemps, a small 



