y. But as I paced on quickly behind him I grew
more lenient in my judgment, for I was obliged to own that my position
was not a satisfactory one. I had not returned as I should have done,
and when I was found, it was in company with a gang of men who were
about to attack and pillage the Fort.

I had no farther time for thoughts like these. We were gaining rapidly
on the gang now, and in a few minutes' time we could hear footsteps, and
then they had suddenly ceased, and a whispering began, as if the leader
of the party were giving orders.

Mr Raydon touched me to make out that I was close up, and I felt Grey
take his position on the other side, while my heart beat so loudly that
I half thought it might be heard.

All at once Mr Raydon pressed on my shoulder, and leaned over me to
whisper to Grey.

"They ought to have heard this approach," he whispered. "This is not
keeping good watch."

"Dark--very quiet," said Grey, in what sounded to me like a remonstrant
tone; and directly after a loud clear voice rang out from the
block-house at the left-hand corner near the gate.

"Who goes there? Halt, or I fire."

A low murmur arose in front of us, and Mr Raydon drew a deep breath, as
if relieved. Then there was a quick advance, the flash of a rifle, and
the sharp clear report.

"Only one," cried a hoarse voice. "Too dark to see. Over with you,
boys!"

Bang! Another shot; and then, as I panted with excitement, Mr Raydon
whispered--

"Now, altogether, fire!"

I had raised my piece at his warning, and drew the trigger; but though
there was a sharp report on either side of me, my piece did not speak,
and suddenly recollecting that I had forgotten to cock it, I lowered it
again.

"Who's that behind? Who fired there?" cried the hoarse voice of the
leader from the darkness ahead.

It was just as I was ready, and raising my piece, I fired, the butt
seeming to give my shoulder a heavy blow; while directly after came
three flashes from the block-house, as many roars, and, like their
echoes, Mr Raydon and Grey fired again, after a rapid reloading.

This was too much for the attacking party. They were so thoroughly
taken between two fires, that the next thing we heard was the hurried
rush of feet, and I saw very faintly what appeared to be a shadow hurry
by me, while a couple more shots from Mr Raydon and Grey completed the
enemy's rout.

"Cease firing, there!" roared Mr Raydon.

A loud hail came back from t