denly turn to orange and gold; and then the sun rose over
the widespread jungle, sending the wreathing night-mists floating amidst
the feathery palms, and seeming to dissolve into thin air.

The first order given by Captain Smithers was to have a signal of
distress run up to the top of the flagstaff; the next to try and
strengthen the defences, which were sorely dilapidated. Some of the
barricading planks and forms were torn down, others riddled with
bullets.

Through the rough straw mattresses spears were sticking in a dozen
directions, and what had looked hopeless again and again during the
night seemed doubly so by day.

But Captain Smithers was not made of the stuff to give up. He had those
under his charge whom he was ready to render his life to save; and the
spirit that animated his breast seemed to infuse itself in the spirits
of the others. He was half mad with jealousy; and angered almost beyond
bearing at the thought that Rachel Linton should favour, as he was sure
now that she did, a private soldier in preference to him. But he cast
away all narrow selfishness, for he was obliged to confess that Gray was
no common man, but evidently a gentleman by education if not by birth.

Casting aside, then, all unworthy thoughts, he roused Tom Long from a
short sleep that he had made him take. He said a few encouraging words
to the men, and then went to join the ladies, who had anticipated his
wishes, and were ready with plenty of refreshments for the jaded
defenders of the fort.

It is wonderful what efficacy there is in a cup of hot coffee and a big
biscuit. Men who, ten minutes before, had stood rifle in hand, dejected
and utterly worn-out, lost their haggard looks and seemed to pull
themselves together after partaking of the cup of comfort that the
ladies brought round.

Rifles were wiped out, belts tightened; and with brightening eyes the
men seemed ready to give a good account of the enemy when they closed in
for their next attack.

"I have bad news for you, Captain Smithers," said Rachel Linton to him,
quietly, as she took the cup she had given him from his hands.

"I don't think you can give me worse news than I already know," he said,
sadly.

"Yes, but I can," she said, with her brows knitting with pain for his
suffering. "The heat of the day will soon be upon us, and we have no
more water."

These words roused the captain to a less selfish view of things, and he
stood for a moment or two thi