the
window.

"Crack--crack!" two sharp reports from my uncle's gun; but this time, as
their flashes lit up the room where we stood, the fire was replied to by
half a dozen pieces, but fortunately without effect.

Then again fell silence, with once more the same result, that of a
breaking jalousie at an upstairs window.

"They've swarmed up the verandah posts, lads," said my uncle thickly;
"but you two stay by your windows--you at this, Harry; you, Tom, at the
other."

We heard him steal away to the staircase, and then Tom left my side.
The next instant came a loud report from upstairs, then a crash as of a
falling body on the lattice-work of the verandah, and directly after a
dull thud outside the window.

I had no time for thought, though, for incidents now began to succeed
each other with such startling rapidity. As the dull thud came upon the
bricks beneath the verandah it seemed to me that the darkness outside
the window before which I stood was gradually growing deeper. Another
instant, and I knew the reason as I levelled my heavily loaded double
gun.

Was I to destroy life? my heart seemed to ask me, but only for the reply
to come instantly. Yes, if I wished to help and save the women beneath
our charge; and then I drew rapidly, one after the other, both triggers.
There was a gurgling, gasping cry, and the darkness grew less dense.

"Crack--crack!" both barrels again from Tom's part of the house. It was
evident, then, that we had neither of us returned to our old posts too
soon.

I hastily reloaded, wondering from whence would come the next attack;
but I had not long to wait, for three or four sharp discharges came
through the window, striking the plaster of wall and ceiling, so that it
crumbled down upon me in showers.

Again and again I trembled for those in the kitchen; but the
recollection of my uncle's words encouraged me; and, trusting in the
strength of its stone walls, I began to grow excited, firing and
loading, till all at once, as if by common consent, there was a
cessation of the discharges, followed by an ominous silence.

CHAPTER FORTY TWO.

FLIGHT AND ITS ARREST.

I would have given anything to have left my post just then, so as to
have seen after the welfare of those who were anxiously awaiting the
result of the attack; but I felt that such a proceeding might prove
dangerous, and an entry be made during my brief absence.

But a minute had not elapsed before my uncle was a