within five minutes, when they will be joined by more who
also will fire. We will move swiftly from right to left and back again,
and the men can be so disposed that there will be no danger of hurting
one another. That should alarm the enemy, and, in any case, it will
attract the attention of those in that quarter."

"They will take alarm and think that we are attempting to break through.
They will call in all the men," said the chief, with assurance. "I
begin to follow your meaning."

"While the firing is going on two of our number who are accounted
brave"--Dick noticed that the chief again tossed his head into the
air--"will creep to the top of the hill and over it. They will be given
a quarter of an hour to see that it is clear. They will not be
satisfied till they have killed the sentries or shown that they are
absent. Then one will return with the news."

"And the whole party will follow him," burst in the chief, eagerly.

"Hardly that," said Dick. "They are still out in the open, and they
must retire. Even then the ruse might be discovered if the firing were
not continued. The enemy would suspect a ruse and would send out to
intercept us."

"Then what is your plan, chief?" asked the native, his curiosity aroused
to the fullest. "The men retire and keep up the firing, you have a man
on the crest and the report that all is clear. Surely there will be no
need for delay. Haste, rather, is what is called for."

"Quite so," agreed Dick, quietly. "The men retire, and as they pass
into the stockade they each take up a bundle of gold dust, for it would
never do to leave our profits to these robbers. Then, led by the man
who has descended the ridge, the miners will creep over the crest and
descend the hill. They will make for the track in the forest, and will
gain the boats as soon as possible. Arrived there, they will get the
fire going aboard the launch, hook on one of the boats, or two if they
are necessary, and wait for their comrades. I said that one of the
latter would be the scout who lay on the crest."

"That man will be myself," said the chief, calmly. "A leader should
always take the post of danger and protect his men. We are not
warriors, but we know how to act."

"You have proved it already. You will be one of those two. I shall be
the other. No. Do not let us argue. Your own words prove that I have
taken the proper course. As leader, I remain till all are gone, and I
shall keep