strangers and drive them away. Before returning home I found Mr
Hayward, who, with Harry, has gone over to Ogilvie to give information
of the blacks being in the neighbourhood."

"But what if they should come here while our husbands are away?"
exclaimed Mrs Berrington, trembling with alarm.

"I am here, and this slight hurt won't prevent me from defending you,"
exclaimed Paul, feeling not a little indignant at his aunt's remark,
"and there are Reginald, and Hector, and Sandy, and the other men will
be back before long."

"And _we_ can fight too," exclaimed Janet. "I know how to fire a
pistol, so does Mary."

"What a fearful state of things!" ejaculated Mrs Berrington.

"Oh, aunt, you'll soon get accustomed to it," said Janet, who often
spoke very like Harry.

"I hope that we shall not be reduced to such extremities," said Aunt
Emily. "But where are Reginald and Hector?"

"I saw Reginald at our hut; I told him to come on here in case he might
be wanted, but as to Hector, I do not know where he is."

"Suppose he should be fishing by the river, and the blacks should find
him. They may kill the poor boy," exclaimed Mrs Berrington.

Though Paul thought this more than possible, should Hector have gone to
any distance, he tried to reassure his aunt, intending to go himself and
try and find his cousin.

When, however, he attempted to move, he discovered that he could not do
so without great pain and difficulty. He was thankful when Reginald
came in, and Rob at the same time making his appearance, he sent the two
off in search of Hector, warning them to keep away from any place which
might conceal a lurking enemy. He then held a consultation with Mary
and Janet, and arranged with them how they might best prepare the house
for defence, should the blacks attack it. They all knew that there was
not much real danger provided that they were not taken by surprise, as
the natives, unaccustomed to the use of fire-arms, were sure to run away
if sturdily withstood. He knew he could depend upon his two elder
sisters, though he suspected that his cousins would not prove heroines.

The day wore on, the captain and his brother were not expected until
late. Reginald and Rob had not returned from their search for Hector,
and Sandy, whom they expected, had not yet made his appearance.

The sun set, and darkness came on; the girls agreed to watch in
different directions, from whence they could command the approaches to
the