noyance,
coming up under cover and firing at the house. Though the garrison
aimed in return at the points from which the flashes of the rebels'
muskets were seen, the latter so rapidly retreated that it was supposed
none of them were hit. Nothing could be more trying. Sometimes for
several minutes together they would remain quiet, when suddenly a shower
of shot would come pattering against the walls. The enemy would then
again retreat, and single shots would be fired, now from one point, now
from another; then again another shower would come, as if the enemy had
made a general advance.

"Let them fire away as much as they like," observed Lieutenant Belt,
laughing. "I only wish they would fire much oftener at so safe a
distance, as they must thus at last expend their powder."

Still those unaccustomed to warfare could not fail to experience
uncomfortable sensations as the bullets in rapid succession struck the
walls, although as yet they had done but little damage, five of the
people only, besides Lieutenant Belt, having been slightly wounded in
their shoulders or faces. At length the rebels appeared to have grown
tired of that style of amusement, and perfect silence reigned around the
house.

Towards morning, when most of the little garrison were lying down, worn
out with constant alarms and watching, the cry was raised that the
blacks were again coming on; and they were seen rushing up the hill,
carrying not only faggots but ladders, evidently intending to attack the
house as they had done at Walton, and to set both it and the stockades
on fire. Should they succeed, nothing could save the lives of the
inmates.

The shrieks and yells uttered by the blacks for the purpose of
intimidating the garrison were certainly terrific, and even the gallant
lieutenant began to fear that all the efforts made to resist them would
be in vain. On inquiry, too, he found that the ammunition was running
short, a large proportion having been expended during that and the
previous night. Still undaunted, he went round among the people,
inspiring others with his own cool courage.

"We have more serious work than hitherto, my friends," he said; "but if
we are true to ourselves, we shall beat the enemy as before. Never mind
though they burn the _chevaux-de-frise_, they will not venture through
the flames, depend on that; and if we fail to put out the fire, we must
retreat into the house. As I told you before, do not throw a shot