tting out a big tooth; and then swore
at the poor boy, for having such a powerful strong jaw. I should like
to see his face, if he was asked to pull out a tooth from one of them
dancing sarpents.

"I brought ye in some fruits, yer honors. I don't know what they are,
but you may trust me, they're not poison. I stopped for half an hour
beside the stall, till I saw some of the people of the country buying
and ating them. So then I judged that they were safe for yer honors."

"Now, Tim, you'd better go and lie down and get a sleep, if the
spiders will let you, for you will have to be under arms all night, as
it is possible that we may be attacked."

The first part of the night passed quietly. Double sentries were
placed at each of the angles of the walls. The cannons were loaded,
and all ready for instant action. Doctor Rae and his two subalterns
were upon the alert, visiting the posts every quarter of an hour to
see that the men were vigilant.

Towards two o'clock a dull sound was heard and, although nothing could
be seen, the men were at once called to arms, and took up the posts to
which they had already been told off on the walls. The noise
continued. It was slight and confused, but the natives are so quiet in
their movements, that the doctor did not doubt that a considerable
body of men were surrounding the place, and that he was about to be
attacked.

Presently one of the sentries over the gateway perceived something
approaching. He challenged, and immediately afterwards fired. The
sound of his gun seemed to serve as the signal for an assault, and a
large body of men rushed forward at the gate, while at two other
points a force ran up to the foot of the walls, and endeavoured to
plant ladders.

The garrison at once collected at the points of attack, a few sentries
only being left at intervals on the wall, to give notice should any
attempt be made elsewhere. From the walls, a heavy fire of musketry
was poured upon the masses below; while from the windows of all the
houses around, answering flashes of fire shot out, a rain of bullets
being directed at the battlements. Doctor Rae himself commanded at the
gate; one of the subalterns at each of the other points assailed.

The enemy fought with great determination. Several times the ladders
were planted and the men swarmed up them, but as often these were
hurled back upon the crowd below. At the gate the assailants
endeavoured to hew their way, with axes, through i