n very cataracts down the rocky sides.

We should have ceased in very awe of the terrible battle of the
elements, but in self-defence we were driven to fight hard and repel the
continued attacks of the enemy, who, growing more enraged at our
resistance, came on once more in a determined fashion, as if meaning
this time to sweep us before them into the rushing stream.

But for the bravery of our black companions our efforts would have been
useless, and we should certainly have been driven back by the fierce
savages, who advanced up the path, sprang upon the stone breastwork, and
would have dashed down upon us regardless of our firearms, but Ti-hi and
Aroo cast aside their bows at this final onslaught, and used their
war-clubs in the most gallant manner. Jimmy, too, seemed to be
transformed into as brave a black warrior as ever fought; and it was the
gallant resistance offered that checked the enemy and made them recoil.

The falling back of the foremost men, who were beaten and stunned by the
blows they had received, drove their companions to make a temporary
retreat, and enabled us to reload; but ere we could seem to get breath,
one who appeared to be a chief rallied them, and two abreast, all that
the path would allow, they came charging up towards us once again.

Then there was a dead pause as the thunder crashed overhead once more,
and then seemed to be continued in a strange rushing sound, which
apparently paralysed the attacking party, who hesitated, stopped short
about a third of the way up the narrow slope that led to our little
fort, and then with a shriek of dismay turned and began to retreat.

I stared after them, wondering that they should give way just at a time
when a bold attack would probably have ended in our destruction; but I
could make out nothing, only that the noise of the thunder still seemed
to continue and grow into a sound like a fierce rush. But this was
nothing new: the thunder had been going on before, and that and the
blinding lightning the enemy had braved. Our defence had had no effect
upon them, save to make them attack more fiercely. And yet they were
now in full retreat, falling over each other in their haste, and we saw
two thrust into the swift river.

"Yah, ah!--big bunyip water, water!" roared Jimmy just then, clapping me
on the shoulder; and, turning sharply, I saw the meaning of the
prolongation of the thunder, for a great wave, at least ten feet high,
ruddy, foaming, and