"Kill much better," said Pablo. "Corbould shot through leg, come again
to rob; suppose shot dead, never rob more."

The dogs now flew to the back of the cottage, evidently pointing out
that the robbers were attempting that side. Humphrey put his gun
through the hole in the door, and discharged it.

"Why you do that, Massa Humphrey, nobody there!"

"I know that, Pablo; but if the people are coming from the Intendant's
they will see the flash and perhaps hear the report, and it will let
them know what is going on."

"There is another gun loaded, Humphrey," said Alice, who with Edith had
joined them without Humphrey observing it.

"Thanks, love; but you and Edith must not remain here: sit down on the
hearth, and then you will be sheltered from any bullet which they may
fire into the house. I have no fear of their getting in, and we shall
have help directly, I have no doubt. Pablo, I shall fire through the
back door; they must be there, for the dogs have their noses under it,
and are so violent. Do you fire another gun, as a signal, through the
hole in the front door."

Humphrey stood within four feet of the back door, and fired just above
where the dogs held their noses and barked. Pablo discharged his gun as
directed, and then returned to reload the guns. The dogs were now more
quiet, and it appeared as if the robbers had retreated from the back
door. Pablo blew out the light, which had been put more in the centre
of the room, when Alice and Edith took possession of the fireplace.

"No fear, Missy Edith, I know where find everything," said Pablo, who
now went and peered through the hole in the front door, to see if the
robbers were coming to it again; but he could see and hear nothing for
some time.

At last the attack was renewed; the dogs flew backwards and forwards,
sometimes to one door and then to another, as if both were to be
assailed: and at the same time a crash in Alice's bed-chamber told them
that the robbers had burst in the small window in that room, which
Humphrey had not paid any attention to, as it was so small that a man
could hardly introduce his body through it. Humphrey immediately called
Holdfast and opened the door of the room; for he thought that a man
forcing his way in would be driven back or held by the dog, and he and
Pablo dared not leave the two doors. Watch, the other dog, followed
Holdfast into the bedroom; and oaths and curses, mingled with the savage
yells of the dog