e more the negroes rushed away
helter-skelter, nor would listen to the entreaties of their leaders to
stop till they reached the bottom of the hill. "I think we have done
for them this time," exclaimed Lieutenant Belt, in a tone of exultation.
The same opinion was expressed by most of the garrison.

"There are some desperate fellows among them, or they would not have
come on in the way they have already done," observed the overseer.

Many of the slaves had lately been imported from Africa, and were likely
to pursue their native mode of fighting, which, it was too probable,
would enable them to obtain that success which they had hitherto failed
to gain. A short time passed away, during which the blacks maintained a
perfect silence. It was hoped by many within the house that they were
about to retreat, when lights were seen suddenly to burst forth along
the whole line, and gradually to approach. It appeared at first as if a
dark wall was rising out of the valley, but this shortly resolved itself
into huge faggots carried at the end of poles. Between every two or
three of the faggots was seen a torch, too evidently for the purpose of
kindling the wood.

"Good heavens! they are going to try and set our fortifications on fire,
and the house also, I fear, if they can," exclaimed Mr Twigg.

"And they will succeed too, I am afraid," said the overseer gloomily.
"I was sure they had some accursed trick in contemplation."

"What do you advise, Lieutenant Belt?" asked Mr Ferris, who remained
more collected than any one else.

"We must make a sortie and drive them back before they reach our lines,"
answered the lieutenant. "I will lead it myself, and I am sure I shall
not want followers."

Archie was the first volunteer, and nearly a dozen more white men
immediately sprang forward. Not a moment was to be lost.

"Come on, my lads," cried the lieutenant. "We must make our sortie by
the outlet leading to the well. We will then get round and attack them
on the flank; and, remember, the remainder of the garrison must keep up
a hot fire as they come on at the rest of the line, aiming at the black
fellows' bodies, not at their faggots, which they will hold before them
as shields."

Saying this, he led out his brave band of followers, Archie keeping
close to him. They had got within sixty yards or so from the blacks
before they were perceived, when, firing their muskets--the garrison,
meantime, not neglecting their duty,