eir bows, shot a flight of arrows. Most of them stuck in the
palisades, but fortunately none came through. We kept perfectly silent,
hiding ourselves, as before, from the enemy. I was still in hopes they
might take the alarm and go away without attacking us. Now, led by a
chief, in a head-dress of feathers, with a long spear in his hand,
uttering loud shouts and shrieks, like the war-whoops of North American
Indians, they dashed on. As they got within twenty yards of us, our
native garrison sprang up, and shot forth a shower of arrows from their
bows and blow-pipes. The enemy were thrown somewhat into confusion by
so unexpected a greeting, and sprang back several paces. Two or three
of their people had been struck, as we saw them drawing the arrows from
their breasts with looks of alarm, knowing well that though the wounds
were slight they were nevertheless likely to prove fatal.

"If they come on again we must fire," said John. "It may be true mercy
in the end."

We waited, expecting to see them once more rush on; but they evidently
had not calculated on opposition, and seemed very unwilling to court
danger. They retreated further and further off. Still we could see the
chief going among them, apparently trying to induce them to renew the
attack. The muzzles of our rifles were projecting through the
palisades.

"I am covering the chief," said John. "I think it would be better to
pick him off; and yet I am unwilling to take the life of the ignorant
savage."

While John was speaking, the chief disappeared behind a tree; and the
next instant his companions were hid from sight. We began to hope that,
after all, they would retreat without attempting to attack our fortress.
We waited for some time, when I proposed that we should send out our
young scouts to try and ascertain what had become of them. Just as we
were trying to explain our wishes, some of our people gave vent to loud
cries, and we saw smoke rising from the furthest-off huts of the
village. It grew thicker and thicker. Then we saw flames bursting
forth and extending from hut to hut. It was too evident that the
savages had gone round, and, to revenge themselves, had, after
plundering the huts, set them on fire. Had we had a few active warrior
with us, they might have rushed out and attacked the enemy while thus
employed; but as our fighting men were either too old or too young, no
attempt of the sort could be made. The poor natives, therefo