question whether
they would be sent to him. Before he could get across the open space to
the spot he had determined to hold, the enemy again appeared, this time
coming boldly from under the cover of the trees, firing as they did so.
They must have been somewhat surprised by the volley they received in
return, as they must have supposed that the small number of men they
first encountered formed the whole of the party. Still several of the
seamen had been hit, and two more poor fellows killed outright. It
wanted yet an hour to dawn, but it was doubtful whether Jack's position
would be improved by daylight. The enemy would be able to take better
aim from behind the trees at his men, exposed in the open. Had there
been time he would have pulled down the old palisades and made a
breastwork, which would have afforded some protection to his people, but
now the Maoris had got behind the palisades and fired from thence. To
attempt to leave the position would be madness. He could not hope to
gain a better without having to pass through the thick of the forest,
while his men would have been exposed to the fire of an almost invisible
foe. His chief hope was that the Maoris would discover that the other
pah was to be attacked and would retreat to assist in its defence.
This, however, was only likely provided they were at no great distance
from the fortification. The warm way in which he received the enemy
whenever they appeared kept them in check, and sometimes, for several
minutes together, it was hoped that they had retreated, but again and
again they came on, though they must have suffered severely.

Many more seamen would have been hit had not Jack made them lie down and
only rise on their knees to fire. It was satisfactory to him to think
that it was owing to his vigilance that his whole party had not been
surprised. It was very evident that they were far out-numbered by the
enemy, who still seemed resolved to persevere in the attack. Dawn at
length broke, and as daylight increased Jack knew that the diminished
numbers of his party would be discovered by the Maoris. For some time,
however, no attack was made, nor could an enemy be seen. Hopes were
entertained that they really had retreated. The wounded were crying out
for water, and as at some distance at the bottom of the hill, a stream
could be discerned, Jerry Bird and several of the men volunteered to go
down and fetch it.

Jack, of course, could not allow