ome
natives out in the open. They carried rifles, and were making for the
mines. Ditch watched them as they went to the shafts, and saw two of
their number lowered into each. Then there was a shout, and they were
hauled up again.

"Looking for possible stragglers," he thought. "It was a lucky idea to
have a signal to recall the men. I suppose Johnnie must have sounded
it. Ah, the ruffians are now looking for gold, but there again I fancy
they will be disappointed. How I wish I had a dozen men here! I could
pick the enemy off easily, and then a rush might drive the rest away."

By now the natives were retracing their steps, disappointed at their
lack of fortune, and at once Dick crawled on again. An hour later he
was round at the far side, and had a full view of all that was taking
place. A glance showed him that matters were as he had hoped. The
timely alarm, the previous training, and the careful instruction which
had been given to the miners had resulted in their reaching the stockade
in a mass, and in closing the doors on the attackers. Nor were there
wanting signs that they had made their presence felt by the enemy, for
ten dark figures lay sprawling in the open, some looking as though the
men slept, while in other cases the bodies were doubled up in that
fantastic position which is seen where men have been killed in the act
of charging.

"Showing that our friends held their fire till they were sure of their
aim," said Dick, with a chuckle, his spirits reviving immensely at the
sight. "But the attack was a genuine one, for I can see one man close
outside the stockade. Perhaps the alarm was only just given in time,
and when the miners reached the stockade the enemy were in full chase
and close behind them. Ah! They have been making long shots, too."

His hand went to his trigger suddenly, and he fell on his face in the
undergrowth, for he had caught sight of a native some few paces away.
He seemed to be leaning against a tree, and was partly in the open. A
second glance, however, told that he was dead, for his head lay on his
breast, and only the tree which supported him prevented his falling from
his knees.

"Looks as though he had knelt to take a shot, and had been killed in the
act," thought Dick. "He will be fired at again, perhaps. One of our
men will see him, and not knowing that he has already ceased to be an
enemy will fire. It would be safer for me to crawl on a little."

Once more