re seen ravaging the fields, destroying the plantations,
and doing terrible damage, to the intense exasperation of the
Portuguese governor. But they did not show any signs of an
intention to attack the castle.

"I believe," Ned said on the fourth day, "that they have determined
to starve us out. They must know that, however large our stock of
provisions, they will not last forever; and indeed they will have
learned, from the men who bore them in, something of the amount of
stock which we have. It will last, you say, for two months; which
would be little enough, were it not that we are expecting the ship
you spoke of. If that comes shortly we shall, with the additional
force which it is bringing; and the crew, who will no doubt aid; be
able to attack them in the open. But were it not for that, our
position would be a bad one."

"I fear," Tom said, "that even when the ship arrives, evil may come
of it."

"How is that, Tom?" Ned asked.

"The captain will know nothing of what is passing on shore; and if
he lands his men incautiously upon the beach, and advances in this
direction, the natives will fall upon them and, taking them by
surprise, cut them to pieces; and our last hope will then be gone."

"But we might sally out and effect a diversion," Reuben said.

"Yes," Tom replied; "but, unfortunately, we should not know of the
arrival of the ship until all is over."

It was clear to all that Tom's view was the correct one, and that
the position was much more serious than they had anticipated. For
some time the governor and the four young men looked at each other,
blankly. The destruction of the reinforcements, which would be
followed no doubt by the capture of the ship by the war canoes, and
the massacre of all on board, would indeed be fatal to their hopes.
After what they had seen of the determination with which the enemy
had come up to attack the gate, they were sure that they would
fight valiantly, outside.

The question of sallying forth was again discussed, and all were of
opinion that, unequal as the fight would be, it were better to
attempt to defeat the enemy than to remain quiet, and allow them to
triumph over the coming reinforcements.

"Upon what day do you think the ship will arrive?" Ned said, after
considerable thought.

"I cannot say to a day," the governor replied; "but she should be
here this week. There is no exact time, because she has to touch at
several other islands. She leaves Goa always