the bank, or
for men to land exposed to fire. The defences of the fort consist of
six angular stockaded entrenchments, formed of exceedingly hard wood.
They are eight feet high, and four feet thick; one side of each stockade
looking towards the river, and the other down the reach. The only
landing-place is commanded by the principal stockade, and guns have also
been placed on it. This landing-place you will understand is above the
stockades, and as the current there runs nearly five knots an hour, we
shall have to pass the stockades, exposed all the time to the fire from
the batteries, before we can descend to the landing-place. The reach,
at the head of which the fort is situated, is about a mile and a half
long, while the forest comes down on either side, close to the water,
and affords an almost impenetrable shelter to a concealed foe. I tell
you this that you may know what we have to encounter, but at the same
time I am sure that the gallantry of British officers and men will
overcome difficulties of far greater magnitude. Why I wished to
accompany you was that I might render all the services in my power."

Captain Hemming thanked the consul for his bold determination, adding,
"I trust that we shall not disappoint you, Mr Wilmot, and that you will
live to share such laurels as we may gain."

"I hope so too, captain, but I do not shut my eyes to the dangers which
we may have to meet," was the answer.

"That consul is a brave fellow," whispered Tom to Archy; "I look upon
those as the bravest who know the full extent of the danger they may
have to encounter, and with calm determination go into it."

Mr Wilmot had an awning rigged to his boat, and had brought mattresses
and pillows, so that he and his friend made it their sleeping-place.
The other boats contained also a few occupants, but the larger number of
the party preferred sleeping on shore, where they could stretch their
limbs, they having discovered that the mosquitoes annoyed them as much
on board the boats as on the banks of the river.

Tom and his companions had noticed a mound of no great height, at a
little distance from their camp fire, and they agreed that the ground at
its base would afford them a comfortable sleeping-place. As soon,
therefore, as the order was given to cease talking and singing, and go
to sleep, they carried their coats and blankets to the spot, and rolled
themselves up, expecting to pass a quiet night.

As they could not