"Of that there is no doubt, William; but we must fight hard, and not let
them overpower us. Kill us they certainly will, and I am not sure that
they may not eat us afterwards; but that is of little consequence."

William replied in a determined tone, "I'll fight as long as I have
breath in my body; but, Ready, they are coming up as fast as they can."

"Yes; we must wait no longer. Come, William."

"I thought I saw another vessel under sail, out away by the garden
point, Ready, just as we turned away."

"Very likely, sir, a canoe which has separated from the others during
the night. Come, quick, William, they have begun to yell."

Another half-minute, and they arrived at the door of the stockade; they
entered, shut the door, and then barricaded it with the cocoa-nut poles
which they had fitted to the inner door-posts.

CHAPTER SIXTY TWO.

The loud yells of the savages struck terror into the heart of Mrs
Seagrave; it was well that she had not seen their painted bodies and
fierce appearance, or she would have been much more alarmed. Little
Albert and Caroline clung around her neck with terror in their faces;
they did not cry, but looked round and round to see from whence the
horrid noise proceeded, and then clung faster to their mother. Tommy
was very busy, finishing all the breakfast which had been left, for
there was no one to check him as usual; Juno was busy outside, and was
very active and courageous. Mr Seagrave had been employed making the
holes between the palisades large enough to admit the barrels of the
muskets, so that they could fire at the savages without being exposed;
while William and Ready, with their muskets loaded, were on the look-out
for their approach.

"They are busy with the old house just now, sir," observed Ready, "but
that won't detain them long."

"Here they come," replied William; "and look, Ready, is not that one of
the women who escaped from us in the canoe, who is walking along with
the first two men? Yes, it is, I am sure."

"You are right, William, it is one of them. Ah! they have stopped; they
did not expect the stockade, that is clear, and it has puzzled them; see
how they are all crowding together and talking; they are holding a
council of war how to proceed; that tall man must be one of their
chiefs. Now, William, although I intend to fight as hard as I can, yet
I always feel a dislike to begin first; I shall therefore show myself
over the palisades, and if