ly, passing back his gun, and
seizing that nearest to him--the one Sam German held. For he kept to
his place at the loophole in the thick door, and thrusting out the
barrel, drew trigger twice at a party of six who dashed now to the door.

_Click_.

A pause.

_Click_.

In each case a tiny shower of sparks followed the fall of the hammer,
and the captain uttered an angry roar like that of some stricken beast.

"Back!" he cried; and all fell away from the door, to right and left.

It was time, for three spears were thrust through the narrow slit as the
gun was withdrawn, and kept on darting about as far in every direction
as their holders could reach.

"German!" cried the captain, tossing the gun to the man, "and after all
I have said!"

Norman stepped forward to fire, but his father checked him.

"Give me your piece," he said; and taking it and cocking both locks, he
dropped a bullet in each of the barrels, felt with the ramrod that they
were well home, and then going down on one knee, took careful aim
through the darkened loophole and fired.

There was a roar and a crash; the spears were withdrawn, and the captain
rose and stepped forward, firing the second barrel from the loophole
itself.

"Another," he said quietly; and taking Tim's gun as the sound of loading
went on, he suddenly cried, "Who's at the back?"

For there was a curious noise in the direction of the kitchen, followed
by a shot, a yell, the sound of some one struggling, and they dashed
into the place to see, as well as the darkness and smoke would allow,
the embers from the hearth scattered and burning all about the kitchen,
and a black figure writhing on the floor.

As he entered, Uncle Jack was in the act of passing his gun up the wide
chimney--once more temporarily opened; there was a report, a yell, and
another figure fell right on the burning fragments left on the hearth,
rolled over, and lay motionless.

"Nearly surprised me," said Uncle Jack, coolly loading just as Rifle
fired twice from the loophole of the back door, when there was a rush
overhead and then silence.

"They've drawn back about thirty yards," said Rifle, loading as his
father trampled out the burning embers, which were filling the place
with a stifling smoke.

"Better pour water on the fire and put it quite out," said the captain
to his brother.

"No: water may be scarce soon," was the reply. "We'll tread it out."

"Coming on again!" shouted Rifle; and as the