ord out of the
impaled body with some difficulty, determined not to be so tricked
again, and once more the battle went furiously on, the savages surging
madly about the cave's mouth, and the two lads straining every nerve to
keep their stronghold inviolate.

"I wonder," gasped Roger, "how long it will be before Leigh collects all
the men, and, missing us, sends out a search-party?"

"They should all be mustered long before this," replied his companion.
"You must remember that it took us some time to reach this place, and
Leigh started to look for the men directly we left him. Hark! there
goes the trumpet for our recall, unless I am mistaken. Did you not hear
it?"

"I think I heard something," answered Roger. "If it was indeed the
trumpet, it means that Leigh has collected all the men and only waits
for us; and he will not wait long before sending in search of us,
because of the captain's orders to return on board as quickly as
possible. If we could but find time to reload the musket and discharge
it again, Leigh might possibly hear the report, and it would show him
where to look for us."

"That is true," agreed Harry. "Now, Roger, leave me to defend the
cave-mouth alone, and try to load the piece; the discharge may bring
down the men, and if you load, as we did last time, with plenty of
bullets, we shall do the enemy some considerable damage at the same
time."

It was no time for arguing. Roger therefore did as Harry had suggested,
and, leaving the defence of the cave to his friend, grasped the musket
and loaded it with frantic haste.

Seeing one of the defenders apparently retreating, the natives at once
redoubled their onslaught, and spears came whizzing through the air,
thick as falling autumn leaves.

The long blade, however, still flashed untiringly hither and thither,
and the cave remained untaken.

"Hasten, Roger!" cried Harry. "I cannot much longer keep these fellows
off unaided."

"Coming, lad," shouted Roger in return.

A huge native at this moment forced himself to the front and engaged
Harry at close quarters, and, tired as he was, the boy knew his strength
must soon fail. He responded gallantly, however, and drove the man back
for an instant; but, with a cry like that of a furious beast, the fellow
again leapt at him, and, beating down the sword-point, bore the lad to
the ground, at once shortening his spear to pin him to the earth.

Poor Harry closed his eyes, and for a moment experi