-nine canoes full, and I bet he didn't
have so many guns as I'll have."

And hastening out, he kept finding and bringing them in until he had a
dozen.

"Now," said he, "I'll bring in lots of wood, and we'll keep the fire
crackling;" and he stirred the burning limbs to make the sparks fly;
"and if the Indians return, they'll think there's a big houseful of
men in here. Besides," he added, "if our folks see the sparks from the
chimney, they'll know you and I are here, and return for us. And on
the whole, I guess I'd rather go with them, than to fight the
cannibals alone; for if I should happen to be killed, I suppose they'd
have to eat me, and I'd rather not be eaten."

Charlie brought from the enclosure a fine pile of wood and a pail of
water, then went out to see that the outer door was secured, and
closed the shutter in the room. He then proceeded to examine the
rifles,--for he was well versed in fire-arms, like western boys
generally,--and carefully cleaned and loaded them.

"Now," said he, "Crusoe had his seven guns mounted, and I'll mount my
twelve."

Fortunately for his scheme, the places had been already prepared.
After this was done, he went down into the cellar to see if there was
anything to eat, and finding some food, he returned, and hanging the
tea-kettle over the fire, he poured some boiling water upon the
tea-grounds in the tea-pot, then set the table for himself and Bub,
and assigning Bub one chair, and getting another for himself, said,--

"We might as well live like folks, as long as we are out of the
tree."

Then, having finished their repast, he said,--

"I feel tired, it's so long since I've had a good sleep; so I guess
we'd better go to bed." And lying down upon the bed in the corner,
with an arm lovingly clasping little Bub, they sank into the sweet
sleep of childhood.

CHAPTER XIX.

BUB'S BROADSIDE.

It was nine o'clock next morning when Charlie awoke, much refreshed.
Some moments elapsed before he could recollect where he was, and how
he came there. Then, hastening, first to the port-holes, through which
his guns were pointed, he scanned the field on all sides, to see if
any enemy was in view. The result being satisfactory, he commenced
preparations for breakfast, for Bub was now awake, and hungry as a
"starved kitten."

"I tell you what," said he to Bub, as they ate their morning meal,
"I've got a jolly plan for us. I'm going to dig a cave in the cellar,
so that if the