left shoulders foremost, to attack the entrenchments at
the part they would then reach.

Their guide conducted them until they reached the foot of a low ridge
just beyond gunshot of the enemy. Here they were to remain until a
signal was made for them to commence the action.

Jack and Tom climbed up among some low brushwood which lined the top of
the ridge, whence they could see into the pah about to be attacked. It
was a formidable-looking place, with a deep ditch in front, and strong
palisades, which must be pulled down or escaladed before it could be
entered. Through his glass Jack observed a line of dark heads with
musket barrels shining in the sun. These were only the outer defences;
within were other entrenchments and pits, all probably concealing a host
of determined enemies, for it had been reported that the pah was held by
nearly a thousand men.

The blue-jackets cared very little for the difficulties and dangers
before them. They were laughing and joking as usual, eagerly looking
forward for the signal to assault the works. In the mean time the
troops, having landed, were marching up to their destined positions, the
object of the general being so completely to surround the pah that none
of the garrison could escape and give further trouble.

Just then an officer arrived, directing Captain Rogers to keep his men
in reserve. This was disappointment, as all hoped to be among the first
in the fort.

At length the gun-boats, which had got into position, opened fire on the
fort. Their shot, however, produced but little effect in the wide open
space into which they fell, the enemy having numberless pits and holes
in which they could protect themselves. The larger steamers were
impeded by the current, and unable to get into position from whence they
could discharge their shot at the pah.

At length a rocket flew up from a hill at the north end above the river,
as a signal to attack. It was answered by another at the south end,
when the troops, rising from behind the cover which had concealed them
from the enemy, rushed forward towards the pah, those who had just
landed joining them on their right. They were received by a withering
fire from the fortifications, which brought many to the ground, but,
nothing daunted, they pushed forward to plant their scaling ladders
against the palisades. The first line was quickly gained. More
soldiers, as they landed, joined the first assailants, when the enemy
re