red; "those doors are not very strong, but
wherever they drive through a hole we can put a gun to that place as
easily as they can."

"And better, too," said the major. "Now, then, as soon as you get a
couple more cabin-doors off, we'll move away these boxes and things the
captain has clapped here, and you shall screw up your barricade."

"I'll soon be ready," said the mate; and he kept his word; while, as
soon as he had let his two men lift out the second door, the major
brought up the reserve, as he called it, the chests piled against the
door by the captain, Mrs Strong, and the major's wife, were lifted
over, and in an incredibly short time the opening, with the door bolted,
was covered breast-high with the other doors, which were securely
fastened, and the chests were once more piled up in their places.

Meanwhile, in spite of his injury, the captain had been busily engaged
placing the weapons in order in his own cabin, off the saloon--the door
not being required; and this he carried out by the help of a lamp, Mark
eagerly obeying his slightest wishes, with the result that at last there
was an ample supply of charged weapons ready, with ammunition so placed
as to be at hand.

"If it comes to fighting, my boy--which Heaven forbid!" said the
captain--"you will take your place here, and as rapidly as you can you
will recharge the pieces brought back to you. Now, try that revolver."

Mark caught up the weapon.

"Unload it."

He was sufficiently versed to understand the process, and rapidly drove
out each cartridge.

"Now reload," said the captain.

Mark's fingers were just as active in replacing the cartridges; and this
done, the guns were tried in the same way.

"I don't see what more we can do," said the captain. "So lie down and
have a sleep, my boy. I'll keep watch. To-morrow may be a very weary
day for us all."

"Don't ask me, father," said the boy in tones of remonstrance. "I feel
as if I couldn't sleep to-night. Let me go and talk to mother."

"They may be asleep," said the captain. "No; it is not likely. Yes; go
if you like."

Mark went softly to the cabin-door and tapped.

The door was opened softly by Mrs Strong, who held up her hand and then
pointed to where Mary O'Halloran lay fast asleep, while her mother was
seated by the berth, her head fallen sidewise and resting against her
child. Soldier's wife and daughter, they were so inured to peril and
anxiety that these did not hinder