this means," and he seemed to
flash his glance around the room to take in everybody before letting his
eyes rest at last upon the skipper. "It means that the scotched snake
has raised its poisoned head once more, how I know not, nor yet what
following he hab. But the enemy still lives, and we must fight again to
the very death if needs be."

A murmur of excitement ran through the _salle_, and once more the weak
amongst those assembled raised a murmur, and glances were directed
towards the door, as if the next moment panic was about to set in and a
rush was imminent. At that moment, as if in response to the President's
appealing look, the big bronzed skipper, Poole's father, British to the
backbone, took a step or two forward, and the President's face lit up
with a smile as he uttered a loud "Hah!" full of the satisfaction he
felt.

"Silence there," he shouted, directing his words at his wavering
followers, whose spirits seemed to have been completely dashed.
"Silence, and let our brave captain speak."

"I have only this to say," cried the skipper. "Be calm, gentlemen, be
calm. Are we who have carried all before us to be frightened by a
noise? It is an explosion. Whatever has happened you must be cool, and
act like the brave men you are. This is either some accident, or the
cunning enemy has sent in some emissary to lay a train. It is all plain
enough. Some of the powder collected in the magazine of the fort has
gone. There was a great flash, I saw it myself, and it evidently came
from there. Now, President, take the lead. Out with your swords,
gentlemen. I don't believe you will need them. Some pounds of
gunpowder have been destroyed. Had the enemy been there we should have
heard their burst of cheering, and the noise of their coming on, for
this place would have been the first they would have attacked."

The skipper's sensible words were greeted with a groan of despair, for
at that moment that of which he had spoken came floating in turn through
the open window.

"Ah," cried the President, catching at the skipper's arm and gripping it
fast as he pointed to the open window with his sword. "Brave words, my
friend, but you hear--you hear--" and another murmur of despair ran
through the crowd.

"Oh yes," said the skipper, "I can hear."

"The cries," said the President, "of the savage enemy."

"No," roared the skipper with a mocking laugh. "Your enemies, man,
can't cheer like that," and he rushed