s in beautiful style, about to show the
Chinamen a thing or two. They reached the foot of the hill. Up they
climbed, as if it was no impediment whatever; but the Chinamen did their
best to stop them. It was no child's work; jingall balls and round shot
came crashing down on the assailants, and stink-pots and three-pronged
spears; and heads and arms and legs were shot off, and many a tall
fellow bit the dust. Post-captains and commanders and lieutenants went
ahead of their men, and the midshipmen followed quickly after.

"This puts me in mind of old days on the coast of Syria," observed
Murray to Rogers as he thought; but getting no answer, he looked round,
and to his dismay discovered that Jack was not by his side.

"He is hit," thought Alick, and it went to his heart that he could not
go back to help him; but duty pointed the way to the top of the hill,
while the glance over his shoulder had shown him his old schoolfellow
rolling down it. Terence, who was a little to the right, also saw what
had occurred.

"Oh, we must go and help him," he cried out; but at that instant up
jumped Jack again, and began to scramble up the hill with such energy
that he was very soon abreast of his friends.

"I am all to rights," he shouted out. "I put my foot on a rolling
stone, and over I went."

Terrific was the noise, the shouting and shrieking, loud above all which
arose the British hurrahs, as they clashed up the steep ascent. The
Chinese happily could not sufficiently depress their guns, or a shower
of grape would have made sad havoc in the ranks of the assailants. Now
the marines and bluejackets were near the top. A huge Chinaman stood
there, pointing his matchlock at Jack. Murray fired his pistol at him,
but missed him. The matchlock hung fire, so he dashed it at Alick's
head, and then hurled at them a couple of heavy shot. Terence was
springing on, when the Chinaman seized a long spear, and was hurling it
at him with an accuracy which might have been fatal, when Jack leaped to
his friend's aid, and with his pistol shot their enemy dead. The rest
of the defenders of the fort, seeing the death of their brave, grinned
horribly, and, whisking round their tails, walked leisurely down the
opposite side of the hill. More than one volley from the marines was
required to make them run. They were braves selected for this post of
honour and of danger. Perhaps they had suspicions that their heads
might be cut off when th