at once to cast bullets, while we go round and
consider the best means for fortifying the house. It is as well to be
prepared, although I believe that, after all, it will prove a false
alarm."

The ladies were more tired and overcome with the heat than they had
expected while the excitement of riding lasted, and had to retire to
their rooms. Mr Ferris soon arrived with Mrs Twigg, when she and her
husband immediately sent for the black nurse, Martha, that they might
ascertain from her whence she had obtained the alarming intelligence she
had sent them. She would only reply, "I tell you, massa, what is de
truth. I lub de children better than life; but I know when de black
fellows find out dat I tell you, dey kill me. De Obeah man do it. Even
though he not find me, I die--I know it; but if I save you and de
children, I not care."

Nothing else could be elicited from Martha, but she persisted in
declaring that they would find ere long that she had given no false
alarm. Both Mr and Mrs Twigg, indeed, were convinced that she spoke
the truth; and Mr Twigg went on with the preparations for the defence
of the house. In a short time Mr Thompson, who had been at the further
end of the estate, and several book-keepers came in.

"What has happened, Mr Twigg?" he exclaimed. "Sambo brought me a
cock-and-bull story about a number of blacks being in arms, and coming
down to burn and sack the house and murder us all. I don't believe it,
sir. Our people, at all events, are kept in too good order to do
anything of the sort; and I should have heard of any ill-feeling
existing among the slaves in any of the neighbouring estates. I beg
your pardon, sir--but it seems to me ridiculous to suppose that they
would again attempt to rebel; they cannot have forgotten how they were
treated the last time they ventured to rise in arms. Of course,
gentlemen from England and military officers could not be expected to
know anything about the matter, and they are therefore ready to believe
the absurd reports."

"But I also, Mr Thompson, am inclined to believe that there is more in
it than you suppose," answered the planter, "old Martin is evidently
alarmed--and he is as sensible as he is faithful."

Still the overseer was incredulous. "I'll obey your orders, however,
sir," he said, "and do anything you or the military officers think
necessary to put the house in a state of defence."

"Very well, Mr Thompson; collect all the trustworthy