ugh, at a distance of only three-
quarters of a mile away, and just sweeping fairly into view from behind
the next island below us, the launch, pinnace, and second cutter of the
_Daphne_ appeared, with their ensigns streaming in the breeze and the
quick-flashing oar-blades and the bayonets of the "jollies" gleaming
brightly in the sun.

"Up, lads! and give them a cheer, just to let them know where we are," I
exclaimed exultantly; and at the word up scrambled the whole of our
little party except poor old Mildmay, who was too seriously hurt to move
without assistance--and from the top of the parapet we sent echoing down
to them upon the wings of the breeze three such ringing cheers as must
have assured them of the sincerity of our delight at their appearance.
As the sound reached the boats I saw the officers rise in the stern-
sheets and wave their caps to us in response; the oar-blades flashed
quicker in the sun; the foam gathered in increasing volume under the
bows of the boats as their crews put on an extra spurt; and presently a
flash and a puff of fleecy smoke started out simultaneously from each
boat, and the _boom_ of the three reports came dull and heavy to us
against the opposing breeze.

Of course we fully expected that the mere appearance of the boats would
suffice to put our sable enemies to flight, but nothing of the kind
happened; on the contrary, the canoes resolutely faced the new-comers,
and evinced a very decided disposition to dispute their passage up the
river.

We should beat them to a certainty; no one in their sober senses could
for a moment doubt that; but in the meantime, if it actually came to a
hand-to-hand tussle between whites and blacks we in the battery, who had
already had so many opportunities of observing their perfect
fearlessness, knew very well that the latter could make matters
decidedly difficult and unpleasant for our friends.

But it was no time just then for cogitation, the moment for decisive
action had arrived, and I forthwith took the necessary steps to enable
our party to do their share of the work in hand.

"That will do, lads," I exclaimed, as the men on the parapet paused to
recover the breath they had expended in their vociferous greeting to the
boats. "Jump down and man the guns. Load and double shot them; and
you, Tom, place the remainder of those fuzes in the magazine in such a
way that they will do their work effectually when required. We will
give the canoes