and the bar dropped across.

"Were those club blows, father?" panted Norman.

"No, boy, spears thrown at the window. Well done, lads; you were very
prompt. It was risky to open the shutter, but we could not keep that
poor wretch here. Hark!"

A low muttering and groaning, then a yell or two, came from outside,
chilling the boys' blood; and Rifle stood there, his face and hands wet
with cold perspiration, listening in horror.

"Gun fellow plenty hurt," said Shanter, with a satisfied laugh.

"Yes," said the captain, with a sigh; "some of those swan-shot of yours,
boy, have told. But load, load! And Heaven grant that this may be a
lesson to them, and you will not need to fire again."

"Ned!" cried Uncle Jack, in a low voice.

"Yes."

"They're stealing round here. I can just make them out. Shall I fire?"

"Not unless they are coming on."

In an instant Uncle Jack's gun spoke out, and there was a fierce burst
of yelling, followed by the familiar sound of spears striking the door
or walls of the house.

"Mine plenty spear when piggi jump up," said Shanter, quietly.

"Yes," said the captain, after listening for a few moments.--"Going
away, Jack?" he whispered.

"Yes; I fired while they were far off, so as to hit as many as possible.
Only duck-shot."

"Look here, Shanter," said the captain. "Black fellow go now?"

"Baal go. Come along mumkull everybody."

"Cheerful, boys," said the captain; "but we shall stop that. Now then,
the first thing is to close that chimney. How's it to be done?"

"I think, sir," began Sam German slowly, but he was interrupted by Uncle
Jack:

"Some one coming up; better look out. Hah!" Uncle Jack shrank away
from the loophole in the doorway just in time, for a spear was thrust
through, grazing his cheek. Then it was withdrawn for a second thrust,
but it did not pass through.

Sam German's gun-barrel did, and he fired as he held it pistol-wise.

There was a horrible yell following the report; then a fearful shriek or
two, and a fresh shower of spears struck the house, while a burst of low
sobbing came from the girls' room.

"Marian! Aunt Georgie!" cried the captain, sternly. "Silence there,
for all our sakes. Is that how English ladies should encourage those
who are fighting for their lives?"

The sobbing ceased on the instant, and a silence fell outside.

"Gone," whispered Norman, after a time.

"Baal gone," said Shanter, coolly. "Black fellow plenty come