and with loud
shouts rushing up the hill to join their companions. I began for the
first time to think that all would be lost. My heart sank as I
contemplated the dreadful fate of the two poor girls. What would become
of them and the good Frau when we were all killed? for killed I fully
believed we all should be. Still, as yet, none of us were hurt,
although their arrows flew thickly over our heads, and they had begun to
throw their darts at us. Four or five, armed with muskets, now
advanced, and also began firing away--their shot pinging against the
palisades. We had far more to dread from them than from the arrows, I
fancied. As they got nearer, however, several arrows came through the
openings, and I heard a bullet whistle close to my ear. It was the
first time I had heard such a sound, but I knew it well, and could not
avoid bobbing my head, though the shot had passed me. Mr Thudicumb and
Dick Tarbox, however, never flinched the whole time. Uttering loud
shouts and shrieks, the fresh body of men now joined their companions,
while the first continued to shower arrows and darts and to send their
bullets among us. I saw Oliver suddenly fall. An arrow had struck him
on the shoulder.

"It is nothing," he called out; "it is nothing," and endeavoured to draw
the weapon from his wound.

Frau Ursula saw what had occurred, as she was at that moment handing up
a musket, and springing up, carried him down into their cave. The
dreadful thought came across me that the arrows were poisoned. I could
not, however, leave my post to inquire. His fate might be that of any
one of us the next instant. I could only wish that all were as prepared
to meet death as I knew he was. Directly afterwards I saw my uncle
stagger. A bullet had struck him; but recovering himself, he cried,
"Never mind, lads! A mere graze;" and instantly again fired. The
muskets came from below loaded, less quickly than before. I guessed the
reason--that the Frau or the girls were attending to poor Oliver. Again
a flight of arrows came flying over and through the palisades, some
sticking in them, when I felt one pass through my cap, and, as I
thought, wound my head. I could not help having the fearful dread that
the poison would quickly enter my veins, and expected every instant to
drop. Still there was but little time for thought, and I resolved to
fight away with my companions to the last. A few minutes more of life
were of but little valu