to the next house, and defend that."

Fortunately for the defenders of the place there were but three windows,
and they were small, and made good loop-holes from which to fire when
the enemy came on. The settlers defended the front of the house, and
Don, Jem and Ngati were sent to the back, greatly to Jem's
disappointment.

"We sha'n't see any of the fun, Mas' Don," he whispered, and then
remained silent, for a shout arose, and they recognised the voice as
that of Mike Bannock.

"Now then you," he shouted, "open the door, and give in quietly. If you
do, you sha'n't be hurt. If you make a fight of it, no one will be left
alive."

"Look here!" shouted back Gordon; "I warn you all that the first man who
comes a step farther may lose his life. Go on about your business
before help comes and you are caught."

"No help for a hundred miles, matey," said the savage-looking convict;
"so give in. We want all you've got there, and what's more, we mean to
have it. Will you surrender?"

For answer Gordon thrust out his gun-barrel, and the convicts drew back
a few yards, and conversed together before disappearing with their
savage followers into the bush.

"Have we scared them off?" said Gordon to one of the settlers, after ten
minutes had passed without a sign.

"I don't know," said the other. "I can't help thinking--"

"Look out, Mas' Don!"

_Bang_! _bang_!

Two reports from muskets at the back of the house, where the attacking
party had suddenly shown themselves, thinking it the weakest part; and
after the two shots about a dozen Maoris dashed at the little window,
and tried to get in, forcing their spears through to keep the defenders
at a distance; and had not Ngati's spear played its part, darting
swiftly about like the sting of some monster, the lithe, active fellows
would, soon have forced their way in.

Directly after, the fight began at the front, the firing growing hot,
and not without effect, for one of the settlers went down with a musket
bullet in his shoulder, and soon after Gordon stood back, holding his
arm for Don to bind it up with a strip off a towel.

"Only a spear prick," he said coolly, as he took aim with his gun
directly after; and for about an hour the fight raged fiercely, with
wounds given and taken, but no material advantage on either side.

"Be careful and make every shot tell," said Gordon, as it was rapidly
growing dark; then backing to the inner door as he reloaded, he spoke