er place of refuge.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.

CAPTURED BY THE NEGRO OUTLAWS.

At length, about ten o'clock in the forenoon, the fire of the outlaws
ceased, and for aught that we could tell to the contrary they might have
abandoned the attack altogether and retired. But the situation was one
of far too much peril to permit us to take anything for granted; while,
therefore, the main body of our party, so to speak, seized the
opportunity thus afforded to snatch a hasty but much-needed meal, a
watcher, with loaded weapon, was stationed at each door and window of
the house, with instructions to maintain a sharp lookout, and
immediately to report any movement that he might detect on the part of
the enemy.

But the minutes passed, the meal was concluded, and still everything
remained tranquil; so perfectly tranquil, indeed, that at length we
could come to but one of two conclusions--either the outlaws had
withdrawn altogether, or they were elaborating some scheme for a renewed
attack of a particularly deep and cunning character, of the nature of
which it behoved us to secure some hint of information, by hook or by
crook.

I suggested that I should go forth alone, and, keeping well in the open
in order that I might be effectively covered by the guns of the others
in the event of anything in the nature of treachery being attempted,
take a look round in the immediate neighbourhood of the house, and
endeavour to ascertain what the outlaws were doing, or, if they had
gone, what had become of them. At first no one would listen to the
suggestion; it was denounced as too utterly hazardous to be entertained
for a moment; and when I pointed out that it could only be hazardous if
the enemy still remained upon the ground, Don Silvio proposed, by way of
amendment, that the men should all sally forth in a body, for mutual
protection. But to this I would not agree, arguing--very reasonably, I
think--that if the outlaws had departed it would be as safe for me to go
forth as for the whole of us; while, if treachery happened to be afoot,
the safety of the female portion of the party absolutely depended upon
the men remaining in the house ready to defend it in the event of a
renewed attack. These arguments of mine, coupled with the necessity,
which everybody at length recognised, for us to make a move of some
sort, finally prevailed; and about noon I left the house, armed with a
musket and a brace of pistols, all loaded, and fortified by