re done to increase the strength
of the place, and one of these was to saw off a portion of a spiked
harrow which Sam German had made, and force this up into the chimney
some six feet above the fire, and secure it there with big nails driven
between the stones of the chimney, thus guarding against danger in that
direction.

Cows, sheep, pigs, all were gone; but the fowls and ducks were about the
place and not likely to be driven away, so that there was no fear of a
failure in the supply of food; in fact, they felt that they could hold
out in that way for months. For if a fowl could not be caught from its
night perch, it could be shot by day and caught up. The danger was the
want of water.

So far there was plenty in the tubs, but they dare not use it for
washing purposes. It was too valuable, and the captain's brow grew dark
as he thought of how they were to fetch more from the river or falls.

"We shall have to go away from here, boys," Tim said, towards evening.
"This place will never seem safe again."

"Father won't go," said Rifle. "He never gives up. I wouldn't, after
getting such an estate as this. Why, it would be worth thousands upon
thousands in England."

"And it's worth nothing here if the blacks spear us."

"They'd better!" cried Rifle, defiantly. "They've had enough of us.
You see, they will not trouble us again."

"There!" he cried, the next morning, triumphantly, Lor they had passed a
perfectly peaceful night; "the beggars are all gone."

The captain, who was using his glass, heard the boys' words and looked
round.

"Don't be too sure, my lad," he said, sadly. "But thank Heaven for this
respite."

"Oh, we'll beat them off again, father, if they do come," said the boy,
boastfully; and then he coloured beneath his father's steadfast gaze.

"Don't act in that spirit for all our sakes, my lad," said the captain.
"All of you mind this: the watchfulness must not be relaxed even, for a
moment. Ah! I'd give something if that fellow Shanter had been
staunch. He could have relieved our anxiety in a very short time."

"Let me go and see if I can discover any signs of them, father," said
Norman.

"What would you say if I tell you I am going?" replied the captain,
quietly.

"No, no," cried the boys in chorus. "You might be speared."

"Exactly," said the captain. "No, boys, we are no match for the blacks
in trying to track them down."

"They are adepts at hiding, and we might pass thro