they attack me, I shall then fire with a
quiet conscience."

"But take care they don't hit you, Ready."

"No great fear of that, William. Here they come."

Ready now stood upon the plank within, so as to show himself to the
savages, who gave a tremendous yell, and as they advanced a dozen spears
were thrown at him with so true an aim that, had he not instantly dodged
behind the stockade, he must have been killed. Three or four spears
remained quivering in the palisades, just below the top; the others went
over it, and fell down inside of the stockade, at the further end.

"Now, William, take good aim;" but before William could fire, Mr
Seagrave, who had agreed to be stationed at the corner so that he might
see if the savages went round to the other side, fired his musket, and
the tall chief fell to the ground.

Ready and William also fired, and two more of the savages were seen to
drop amidst the yells of their companions. Juno handed up the other
muskets which were ready loaded, and took those discharged, and Mrs
Seagrave, having desired Caroline to take care of her little brother,
and Tommy to be very quiet and good, came out, turned the key of the
door upon them, and hastened to assist Juno in reloading the muskets.

The spears now rushed through the air, and it was well that they could
fire from the stockade without exposing their persons, or they would
have had but little chance. The yells increased, and the savages now
began to attack on every quarter; the most active, who climbed like
cats, actually succeeded in gaining the top of the palisades, but, as
soon as their heads appeared above, they were fired at with so true an
aim that they dropped down dead outside. This combat lasted for more
than an hour, when the savages, having lost a great many men, drew off
from the assault, and the parties within the stockade had time to
breathe.

"They have not gained much in this bout, at all events," said Ready; "it
was well fought on our side, and William, you certainly behaved as if
you had been brought up to it."

"Do you think they will go away now?" said Mrs Seagrave.

"Oh, no, madam, not yet; they will try us every way before they leave
us. You see these are very brave men, and it is clear that they know
what gunpowder is, or they would have been more astonished."

"I should think so too," replied Mr Seagrave; "the first time that
savages hear the report of firearms, they are usually thrown into gre