g seen the Acadian.

There were still three of these fellows alive, who had now taken command
of the Spaniards. Although we had shot a score of our enemies, those who
remained were more than ten to one of us, and we were even worse off
than at first, for then they were all together, and now we had them on
each side of us. But we did not let ourselves be discouraged, although
we could not help feeling that the odds against us were fearfully great.

We now had to keep a sharp look-out; for if one of us showed himself at
a loophole, a dozen bullets rattled about his ears. There were many
shot-holes through the palisades, which were covered with white streaks
where the splinters had been torn off by the lead. The musketeers had
spread themselves all along the edge of the forest, and had learned by
experience to keep close to their cover. We now and then got a shot at
them and killed four or five, but it was slow work, and the time seemed
very long.

Suddenly the Spaniards set up a loud shout. At first we could not make
out what was the matter, but presently we heard a hissing and crackling
on the roof of the blockhouse. They had wrapped tow round their
cartridges, and one of the shots had set light to the fir-boards. Just
as we found it out, they gave three more hurras, and we saw the dry
planks beginning to flame, and the fire to spread.

"We must put that out and at once," said Asa, "if we don't wish to be
roasted alive. Some one must get up the chimney with a bucket of water.
I'll go myself."

"Let me go, Asa," said Righteous.

"You stop here. It don't matter who goes. The thing will be done in a
minute."

He put a chair on a table and got upon it, and then seizing a bar which
was fixed across the chimney to hang hams upon, he drew himself up by
his arms, and Rachel handed him a pail of water. All this time the flame
was burning brighter, and the Spaniards getting louder in their
rejoicing and hurras. Asa stood upon the bar, and raising the pail above
his head, poured the water out of the chimney upon the roof.

"More to the left, Asa," said Righteous; "the fire is strongest more to
the left."

"Tarnation seize it!" cried Asa, "I can't see. Hand me up another
pailful."

We did so; and when he had got it, he put his head out at the top of the
chimney to see where the fire was, and threw the water over the exact
spot. But at the very moment that he did so the report of a dozen
muskets was heard.

"Ha!" cried