lves by day.

Somewhat rested, the little party prepared for the third night, hoping
that the enemy would now be disgusted at his want of success and retire,
and now darkness had come and hopes had grown stronger and stronger,
before there was a sudden rush and several men gained the roof and began
tearing off the shingles, till a shot or two fired straight upward sent
the cowardly savages helter-skelter down once more.

They came no more that night, and a peaceful day followed, with the
cattle indicating that the black fellows were still hiding about in the
scrub; while a fire showed that they were providing themselves with food
at the captain's expense.

The ladies looked more calm and hopeful, for they were beginning to
believe in the strength of their little fortress and the bravery of
their defenders; but there was an anxious look in the captain's eyes,
and the boys talked over the position together.

"I expected that they would have given up before now," Norman said.

"So did I," cried Rifle. "A lot of them must have been wounded and some
killed, though we don't see them."

"Shanter says _metancoly_," cried Tim. "I suppose that's what makes
them so fierce. Do you think they will stay till they've killed us
all?"

"Hope not," replied Rifle; "I'm getting tired of it. I wish father
hadn't come out so far away from all neighbours. We might have had some
help if he hadn't."

"Hush! the girls," whispered Norman, as, pale and anxious looking, the
sister and cousin went to the front door where the captain was watching,
Shanter being on duty at the back.

It was soon agreed that it was of no use to wish, and the long irksome
day came to an end, with the door once more barricaded, and keen eyes
watching for the next approach of the enemy.

But the blacks were too cunning to advance while there was the slightest
chance of their being observed; and when they did come it was with a
sudden rush from somewhere close at hand, when retaliatory shots again
and again forced them to retreat. It was just such a night as the
others which they had passed, and the coming of day was once more gladly
hailed with its peace and opportunities for rest and sleep.

That afternoon the captain looked more haggard and wistful than ever.
As far as he could make out, a couple of his choicest oxen were missing,
and it soon became a conviction that they had been speared by the black
fellows for their feast about the fire they had es