hen
overhauled only proved to be friends.

The sea was like glass, and in the course of the next few hours the guns
were got ashore, shears being erected on the rock, and the heavy masses
of metal and their carriages were landed, beside a good deal of other
material likely to be useful in occupying the rock.

And all this while great excitement prevailed as to who were to be the
lucky ones told off for the garrison, as it was laughingly called. But
they were not long kept in doubt, for it was soon whispered that
Lieutenant Dallas was to be in charge, with about a dozen men and a
junior officer or two.

Who were to be the junior officers, was the question at the mess, the
prevailing decision arrived at being that Bolton and Baby Jenks were the
pair.

Early next morning the crews of the barge and second cutter were piped
away, and a busy scene followed, as barrels and cases were handed down,
till the boats were well-laden, and then there was a cessation, the
crews evidently waiting for their orders.

It was a glorious day, and after looking at the men selected, Sydney
gazed longingly at the stack of things lying on the rock, covered with a
couple of sails and some tarpaulin, which, in case of wind arising, were
kept down by casks planted on their corners.

The place looked very tempting to Sydney, though he could not help a
shudder running through him as he gazed at the little natural pier,
which the sea kept flooding and leaving bare.

"I dare say there are plenty of sharks hanging about," he said; and once
more the accident seemed to repeat itself vividly.

He had soon something else to think about, for he saw Lieutenant Dallas
come out of the captain's cabin, where he had evidently been to receive
his orders, which was the case, and they were simple enough.

"The rock would be invaluable to an enemy, Mr Dallas," the captain had
said; "and if they occupied it, as the only safe channel to the port
lies close by, they could annoy us fearfully, perhaps sink one of our
vessels, and to storm such a place would mean terrible loss of life. So
you will occupy it and hold it at all hazards. Either I or my consort
will communicate as often as we can, and you shall be well supplied with
stores before those you have get low."

"I understand, sir," said Dallas; "and I will hold the rock to the
last."

"Your courage may not be put to the test, Mr Dallas," said the captain.
"_Au revoir_. Make yourself and your men as