e heights,
and a stout, black ruffian had actually got so close, that he was able
to lay his hand upon the Earl's shoulder. Higson shouted to the man to
drag forward the Governor, in order to make him prisoner. At that
moment Fitz Barry, seeing the danger that his father was in, sprang
forward to his rescue, and with a blow of his cutlass, compelled the man
to let go his hold. In the meantime, however, Higson, with the runaway
seamen, whom he had persuaded to follow him, made a dash at that part of
the terrace where the ladies were collected. The dawn had now broken,
so that they were soon found without the light from the burning house.
Lady Nora, seeing the approach of the ruffians, cried to her brother for
help. He, however, found himself surrounded by a number of blacks, who
pressed him so hard that he was unable to reach her. In the meantime
the planters continued to fire down upon their assailants, the great
body of whom were kept at bay. Higson at length turned, and ordered
more of his followers to come to his assistance. He had already seized
Lady Nora, well satisfied that should he fail to capture the Earl, she,
at all events, would prove a valuable prize. Two other ladies were also
carried off, and in vain did their defenders attempt by a bold dash to
rescue them. Higson, elated at his success, and at the same time
fearful lest the bullets which were flying about might strike any of his
captives, and probably glad himself to avoid them, made a wide circuit
to gain the sea-shore.

He was already separated from the main body of the insurgents, when
suddenly he was startled with a loud shout close to him, and before he
could turn round to defend himself, he was attacked by a body of seamen,
led on by a lieutenant. The increasing light revealed to him several of
his late shipmates, and the new lieutenant, Mr Denham. Surprised by
the attack, for the boat's crew had sprung upon them from behind a
thicket, Higson and his companions at once let go their captives. A
blow from the cutlass of one of the men brought him to the ground, while
the rest of his party--more than one half were either killed or
wounded--sought safety in flight. They were not far from the sea-shore.
"You must allow me, Lady Nora, to place you with the other ladies on
board the boat," said Denham. "You will there be in safety, and the
crew will row off to a short distance, while I, with the rest of my men,
go to the rescue of your fat