Friday, something whizzed
through the air in unpleasant proximity to his head. It was a potato,
thrown by the dextrous hand of the chief, and was followed by more
missiles of the same sort, which whistled over the breastwork in a
continuous shower. Atkins dropped like a flash, and picking up a stone
in each hand, cautiously raised his head to look for the enemy; but the
instant the crown of his hat appeared above the breastwork, it became a
mark for the watchful Crusoe men, who sent the potatoes about his ears
so thick and fast that Atkins was glad to drop down again.

"Keep your eyes open, men," cried the governor, "an' fire at the first
one who dares to show himself. Atkins, when you get ready to surrender,
just sing out. That's all you've got to do."

The mutineers were as fairly captured as if they had been bound hand and
foot. They could neither retreat nor defend themselves. A cracking and
rustling among the branches above, told them that Friday was engaged in
putting up the bridge; and they knew that unless they could dislodge him
they would soon be at closer quarters with the enemy.

"I'll give you just a half a minute to get down out of that tree,"
exclaimed Atkins.

"We don't want to hurt you, but we aint goin' to let you put up that
bridge," said Jack Spaniard.

The rustling among the branches ceased for a moment, and Friday peeped
through the leaves at the mutineers, both of whom were lying flat on
their backs behind the breastwork. Seeing at a glance that he had
nothing to fear from them, he went on with his work.

Atkins and his companion, finding that threats were unavailing, began to
bestir themselves. They made loop-holes through the breastwork, but
could not see their besiegers. Sam had posted his men on the cliff,
outside the circle of light made by the fire, and consequently they were
invisible to the mutineers; while the latter had built their fort in the
full glare of the fire-light, and every move they made could be
distinctly seen. They could not even use the loop-holes after they made
them; for the governor and his men were always on the watch, and threw
their potatoes so swiftly and accurately that the rebels were obliged to
keep themselves well sheltered. Friday was still busy among the branches
of the tree, and, when he had finished the work of putting up the
bridge, he also opened fire. His shot was followed by another shower
from the men posted on the cliff, who expended their ammuni