w let's see what
an old man can do." He raised his piece to his shoulder, took a long
steady aim, and fired. A white spot instantly appeared on the side of
the canoe; and one of its occupants sprang convulsively to his feet and
fell headlong into the river, nearly capsizing the frail craft as he did
so.

This certainly checked the impetuosity of the two particular canoes, the
occupants of which had suffered from our fire; but the others only
pressed forward with increased eagerness.

"Hang it!" exclaimed the master pettishly, "I don't _want_ to do it, but
I shall have to give 'em a dose of grape yet. Why won't the stupid
donkeys take a hint? And why, in the name of fortune, should they want
to interfere with us at all? Try 'em with grape this time, Tom; let's
see what they think of `the fruit of the vine.'"

Meanwhile the French boat had also become actively engaged, the report
of her carronade ringing out much more frequently than our own, whilst
rattling volleys of musketry breezed up from her at brief intervals; but
from the steadily decreasing sharpness of the reports it soon became
evident, somewhat, I must confess, to our dismay, that she was
_retiring_. It might, of course, be merely a strategic movement on
Saint Croix's part; but if, on the other hand, he happened to be
situated like ourselves, with all his work cut out to defend himself,
and a way open to him _down_ stream only, as we had a clear road before
us _up_ stream only, then indeed matters were beginning to look
extremely serious for us. So far as he was concerned, if he could only
avoid being surrounded he was comparatively safe; the way would be open
for his retreat, and a fine breeze happening to be blowing down the
river, he could, with the aid of his sails easily outpace the canoes.
But with us the matter was very different; our retreat was cut off, and
unless we could beat off the canoes the only course open to us seemed to
be that of taking to dry land, intrenching ourselves as best we might,
and patiently waiting until assistance should arrive. Meanwhile, in
accordance with Mildmay's instructions, our carronade had been loaded
with grape, and Tom, taking steady aim, applied the match to his piece.
A flash, a roar, a volume of smoke, and away went the grape lashing up
the surface of the water fair in line with a thick cluster of canoes,
through which the iron shower next moment tore with disastrous effect.
One canoe was literally rent