on, as the lower parts had to be
forced through the mud which had collected at the bottom. The burning
house afforded us light enough for all that was required.

At length the firing ceased. As I turned my eyes towards the building,
it seemed as if no one could exist within it, for now, from every story,
either flames or smoke were bursting forth. Again and again I looked.
Had it not been my duty to remain and protect my cousins, I should not
have been able to refrain from hastening back to the house. A cry of
dismay rose from my cousins and those around me, when a loud crash was
heard, and flames, brighter than before, rose from the centre of the
building. The roof had fallen in. I was almost giving way to despair,
when I caught sight of several persons hurrying forward from among the
trees. At length I recognised my father, Rochford, and Tim among them.
They were carrying three wounded men, having, I found, been compelled to
abandon the bodies of two others who had fallen. My father and Tim were
both wounded, and several others were more or less hurt, but they said
nothing.

"On board, my lads, and shove off without delay!--Maurice, do you take
charge of one of the boats; and, Tim, go in the other, and tumble
overboard all those things if you find that they hamper you. Now, shove
off, and give way, boys," he continued, as he sprang on board the boat
into which Rochford had already stepped and taken the stroke oar. I
followed as closely as I could; and Tim's boat brought up the rear. The
smaller boats being lighter, we were able to keep good way with the
larger.

"Keep up with us, Maurice," shouted my father; "I took a look around
just as I came away, and caught sight of several objects in the
distance, which I feel pretty sure are canoes. The Indians have
evidently brought them down."

The island had hitherto concealed us from the enemy; but the blaze of
the burning house casting its glare across the water, now revealed us to
their sight, as we knew by the shots which dropped into the water astern
of us. But we were already too far off to be reached, and I heard Tim
cry out--

"Ye'll spend your powder to no purpose, my boys; so I'd be askin' ye to
reserve your fire until ye can get some one within your reach."

The effect, however, was to make our crews still further exert
themselves.

It was melancholy to see the house, one of the largest in the country,
fiercely blazing away. Our only satisfac