Within the space of half an hour, the clouds, which seemed previously to have discharged all their moisture, collected into a dense canopy, darkening the whole heaven, and rumbling with thunder, that became every moment louder and heavier.  Then came gusts of wind, groaning through the forest, rattling among the dead limbs of the girdled trees, and whistling over the palisades of the fort.  These were succeeded by louder peals of thunder, and vivid flashes of lightning, which continued and increased, until the tempest, for such it was, burst in fury, discharging deluges of rain, that fell with unintermitting violence until an hour or more after mid-day.

This was a circumstance which, as it necessarily deferred the moment of his setting out, caused Forrester a little uneasiness; but he soon came to believe he had reason to congratulate himself on its occurrence, since it was scarce possible the band would continue their journey in such a storm; and, indeed, Bruce was of opinion that the day’s march would be ended on the banks of the river,—­one of the principal forks of the Salt,—­but little more than ten miles from his Station; where, if the exiles were wise, they would pitch their camp, waiting for the subsidence of the waters.  This was a point that Roland might be expected to reach in a ride of three or four hours at most; which consideration not only satisfied him under the delay, but almost made him resolve to defer his setting-out until the following morning, that his kinswoman might have the advantage of sleeping a second time under the shelter of a roof, rather than be compelled to exchange it for the chill and humid forest.

It was while he was balancing this thought in his mind, and watching with a gladdened eye the first flash of sunshine, breaking through the parted clouds, that a shout, louder than that which had proclaimed the recovery of his steed, but of a wild and mournful character, arose from the outer village, and a horseman, covered with mud, reeking with rain, and reeling in the saddle with fatigue and exhaustion, rode into the fort, followed by a crowd of men, women, and children, all testifying, by their looks and exclamations, that he was the bearer of alarming news.  And such indeed he was, as was shown by the first words he answered in reply to Bruce’s demand “what was the matter?”

“There are a thousand Indians,” he said, “Shawnees, Delawares, Wyandots, Miamies,—­all the tribes of the North,—­laying siege to Bryant’s Station, and perhaps at this moment they are burning and murdering at Lexington.  Men, Colonel Bruce! send us all your men, without a moment’s delay; and send off for Logan and his forces:  despatch some one who can ride, for I can sit a horse no longer.”

“Whar’s Dick Bruce?” cried the Kentuckian; and the son answering, he continued, “Mount the roan Long-legs, you brute, and ride to St. Asaph’s in no time.  Tell Cunnel Logan what you h’ar; and add, that before he can draw girth, I shall be, with every fighting-man in my fort, on the north side of Kentucky.  Ride, you brute, ride for your life; and do you take car’ you come along with the Cunnel; for it’s time you war trying your hand at an Injun top-knot.  Ride, you brute, ride!”