was very willing to do so, as
I liked the country, and hoped to meet with more adventures. Rochford
was quite ready to remain, for he had every reason to believe that he
had won Juanita's affections. How my father might ultimately have acted
I cannot say, for matters were settled in a way we little expected. The
sun had set, and we were seated at supper--the pleasantest meal of the
day in that hot climate. My cousins had somewhat recovered their
spirits, and Rochford was doing his utmost to make himself agreeable,
when Tim walked into the room, rifle in hand, with his usual military
air, and making a salute, said--

"Capt'n, if ye please, step up to the gallery on the west side an' take
a look-out. I was peering over the drawbridge, when I caught sight of
some creatures moving among the plantations; either they're wolves or
Injins."

"Indians!" we exclaimed in chorus, my father, Rochford, and I jumping
up.

"Do not allow honest Tim's report to alarm you," said Rochford to my
cousins; "he has very likely mistaken a few stray cattle for an army of
Indians. At all events, let me entreat you to remain quietly here until
we ascertain the true state of the case."

I repeated what Rochford said, and then hurried up to the gallery, where
I found my father and Tim, with three or four of the other men. They
were crouching down so as not to expose themselves to the view of those
below. Rochford and I, doing the same, looked through the loopholes
left for the purpose. Though the night was somewhat dark, by watching
attentively we could distinguish a number of figures darting here and
there among the trees, making their way towards us, evidently
endeavouring, if possible, to keep themselves concealed as much as
possible from sight.

"That these are Indians I have no doubt, and also that they have come
here with hostile intent; so we must be prepared for them," whispered my
father.--"Rochford, I leave you in charge of the gallery; do not fire,
however, until the enemy show an intention of attacking the house.--
Maurice, I must leave you and Tim, with two hands, to work the guns
above the entrance. I will station the other men where they can best
defend the approaches."

All these arrangements were quickly made. It was pretty evident that
the Indians fancied that they were undiscovered. We lay down under
cover of the balustrade, which was of a thickness impenetrable to
bullets. We could distinguish the figures of