nued the captain. "My boys are the right stuff after
all."

He sprang over the boat's side, gun in hand, as he spoke, and,
influenced by the same feeling, Brace and Briscoe followed, the former
thrusting his brother back.

"No, no, Free," he cried. "You're not strong enough yet. Stay in the
boat and cover us with one of the rifles."

A look of resentment rose in Sir Humphrey's eyes, but he accepted the
position, dropped back into a seat, exchanged his double fowling-piece
for one of the rifles lying ready, and sat watching the progress of the
three, who were at once supported by Dellow and Lynton, the men on board
cheering as the party of five splashed through the shallow water to meet
the mutineers, who were compelled to come slowly on account of their
load.

The support was none too soon, for, recovering themselves, and enraged
at seeing their intended victims escaping, the savages were now
advancing once more at a run.

"Make for the boat, boys," cried the captain, as he led his party past
the mutineers, and then, setting the example, levelled his piece. "We
three will give 'em this taste, gentlemen," he cried. "You cover us
while we reload. Now then, all together--fire!"

There were the dull flashes, the puffs of smoke, and a yelling from the
enemy who, at fifty yards away, received the stinging volley and were
checked, Brace and Briscoe standing fast while the captain and the two
mates followed the retreating party with their load.

"Two of the enemy down," said Briscoe coolly. "Old skipper will think
he and his men are better shots than we are."

"Let him," said Brace. "They're up again. Look out: they're coming
on."

"Stand fast, then," said Briscoe. "Let 'em have it this way. Can you
let 'em come on till they're five-and-twenty yards nearer?"

"Yes," said Brace, immediately following his companion's example and
dropping on one knee to take aim.

"Aim low, Brace," said Briscoe. "Let's try to cripple their legs. We
don't want to kill any of them. Aim right in the brown, as you English
sportsmen say."

"Right," replied Brace, setting his teeth and kneeling firm as a rock,
while the Indians came on at a trot, grimacing and yelling to frighten
them into flight.

But they had the wrong stuff to deal with, and their eyes dilated and
rings of white appeared round the irises in theft utter astonishment at
seeing the two white men calmly awaiting their onslaught, Briscoe with
the stump of a