ompanied
by the thud of a bullet against the logs, that told that the natives
were still present. They now never raised themselves to fire, but kept
well back in the bush, shifting their position after each shot. Time
passed somewhat slowly inside, until about four o'clock in the afternoon
the sharp crack of a rifle was heard.

"There is Mitford!" Mr. Atherton exclaimed, "that is not a Maori gun.
Man the loopholes again! we must prevent any of the fellows on the other
side crossing to the assistance of their friends, and give it to the
others hot if they are driven out of the shelter of the bush."

The rifle shot was speedily followed by others, and then came the deeper
report of the Maori muskets. English shouts were heard, mingled with the
yells of the natives. The fight was evidently sharp, for Jack had led
the relieving party down upon the rear of the natives engaged in
attacking the house from the left. The latter began to fall back, and
the defenders of the house presently caught sight of their figures as
they flitted from tree to tree.

"We must be careful," Mr. Atherton said, "for every bullet that misses
might strike our friends. I think that you had all better reserve your
fire till they make a break across the open. You can see by the
direction they are firing, and the sound of the rifles, Mitford is
closing in on both their flanks so as to drive them out of the bush. I
can trust myself not to miss, and will pick them off when I see any of
them sheltering on this side of the trees. There is a fellow there just
going to fire." His rifle cracked, and the native fell among the bushes.

This completed the scare of the natives, who had already been much
disconcerted at the unexpected attack made upon them. The leader of the
party shouted an order, and the whole of them made a sudden rush through
the bush down towards the river. Three or four fell beneath the rifles
of the whites on that side of them, but the rest burst through and
continued their course down to the river, and, plunging in, swam to the
other side without once giving the defenders of the house the chance of
a shot at them.

"Now we can sally out," Mr. Renshaw said.

The door was opened, and they hurried out just as a party of whites
issued from the wood and ran towards the house.

"Thanks for your speedy aid, Mitford!" Mr. Renshaw exclaimed as he wrung
the hand of the settler.

"You are heartily welcome, my dear sir. A party was just settin