ong such neighbours as the people at the
port.

She tried to be cheerful under the circumstances, arguing that there
were three able and brave men to defend her and her niece and daughter,
while the boys were rapidly growing up; but, all the same, her face
would show that she felt the risks of the bold step her husband was
taking, and his precautions added to her feeling of in security and
alarm.

In a very short time Rifle had finished his meal, and looked at their
man German, who was seated a little way apart munching away at bread and
cheese like a two-legged ruminant. He caught the boy's eye, grunted,
and rose at once.

"Shall we relieve guard, father?" said Rifle.

"No, but you may carry a jug of tea to the outposts," was the reply; and
after this had been well-sweetened by Aunt Georgie, the boy went off to
his cousin Tim, not because he was the elder, but on account of his
being a visitor in their family, though one of very old standing.

"Well," he cried, as he approached Tim, who was gazing intently at a
patch of low scrubby trees a short distance off; "seen the enemy?"

"Yes," said the boy, in a low earnest whisper. "I was just going to
give warning when I saw you comma."

Rifle nearly dropped the jug, and his heart beat heavily.

"I say, you don't mean it?" he whispered.

"Yes, I do. First of all I heard something rustle close by me, and I
saw the grass move, and there was a snake."

"How big?" cried Rifle, excitedly; "twenty feet?"

"No. Not eight, but it looked thick, and I watched it, meaning to shoot
if it showed fight, but it went away as hard as ever it could go."

"A snake--eight feet long!" cried Rifle, breathlessly. "I say, we are
abroad now, Tim. Why didn't you shoot it?"

"Didn't try to do me any harm," replied Tim, "and there was something
else to look at."

"Eh? What?"

"Don't look at the wood, Rifle, or they may rush out and throw spears at
us."

"Who?--savages?" whispered Rifle.

"Yes; there are some of them hiding in that patch of trees."

"Nonsense! there isn't room."

"But I saw something black quite plainly. Shall I fire?"

"No," said Rifle, stoutly. "It would look so stupid if it was a false
alarm. I was scared at first, but I believe now that it's all fancy."

"It isn't," said Tim in a tone full of conviction; "and it would be ever
so much more stupid to be posted here as sentry and to let the enemy
come on us without giving the alarm."

"Rubbish! Th