e him immediate
information, should I observe anything suspicious, and went down to
carry out his intention of examining every assailable point in the
house. I kept, my eyes turned, first to one side, then to the other,
peering into the darkness, when I observed something moving, away to the
right. It seemed like a black line; and after watching it for a few
seconds, I felt sure that it was formed by a number of negroes creeping
cautiously on to the right of the house, and endeavouring to conceal
themselves. I was afraid that my voice might be heard should I shout
out, so I went down the steps and soon found Mr Talboys. The moment I
told him what I had seen, he sprang up with me, but we could see
nothing, though we watched for some minutes.

"If they were really blacks you saw, they intend to take us by
surprise," he said. "We must keep a look-out, and be prepared for
them."

Just as he was speaking, there came a loud crashing sound, and the next
instant cries and shouts rang through the house. Mr Talboys sprang
down the steps, and I followed him. There was no difficulty in
ascertaining in what direction to go. A door had evidently been burst
open in the southern wing of the house. A piercing shriek was heard as
we hurried on. The rest of the party, deserting their posts, had
already gone to drive back our assailants. The overseer and clerk,
Sinnet and Chaffey, were encountering them bravely. Two had already
paid dearly for their temerity, when Mr Talboys, springing forward,
attacked them furiously. I kept with him, and did my best with my
hanger, cutting and slashing at the woolly pates of the fellows, who
evidently were not prepared for so determined a resistance. Those in
front gave way, and others who were about to enter hesitated to advance.
Mrs Talboys was rendering us good service by holding up a lantern, by
which we could see our assailants, while the light, falling on their
eyes, prevented them from seeing us. Though I observed my other two
messmates, I could nowhere see Tom Pim. What could have become of him?
I thought. I was, however, sure that he would not have held back, for
though he was but a little fellow, he knew how to use his hanger as well
as any of us. The fight didn't last long; another black was killed, two
lay wounded on the ground, and the rest bolted out of the door, which,
though shattered, was not off its hinges.

"Quick! Bring some planks," cried Mr Talboys.

There we