of the savage who fell dead inside of the
stockade, and that will be a disguise, but I shall take no arms except
his spear, as they would only be in my way, and increase the weight I
have to carry. Now observe, you must let me out of the door, and when I
am out, in case of accident put one of the poles across it inside; that
will keep the door fast, if they attack it, until you can secure it with
the others. Watch my return, and be all ready to let me in. Do you
understand me?"

"Yes, perfectly, Ready; but I am now, I must confess, really frightened;
if anything was to happen to you, what a misery it would be!"

"There is no help for it, William. Water must, if possible, be
procured, and now is a better time to make the attempt than later, when
they may be more on the watch; they have left off their work, and are
busy eating; if I meet any one, it will only be a woman."

Ready went for the barrico, a little cask, which held six or seven
gallons of water. He put on the head-dress and war-cloak of the savage;
and, taking the barrico on his shoulder, and the spear in his hand, the
poles which barred the door were softly removed by William, and after
ascertaining that no one was concealed beneath the palisades, Ready
pressed William's hand, and set off across the cleared space outside of
the stockade, and gained the cocoa-nut trees. William, as directed,
closed the door, passed one pole through the inner door-posts for
security, and remained on the watch. He was in an awful state of
suspense, listening to the slightest noise, even the slight rustling by
the wind of the cocoa-nut boughs above him made him start; there he
continued for some minutes, his gun ready cocked by his side.

It is time that he returned, thought William; the distance is not 100
yards, and yet I have heard no noise. At last he thought he heard
footsteps coming very softly. Yes, it was so. Ready was returning, and
without any accident. William had his hand upon the pole, to slip it on
one side and open the door, when he heard a scuffle and a fall close to
the door. He immediately threw down the pole, and opened it just as
Ready called him by name. William seized his musket and sprang out; he
found Ready struggling with a savage, who was uppermost, and with his
spear at Ready's breast. In a second William levelled and fired, and
the savage fell dead.

"Take the water in quick, William," said Ready in a faint voice. "I
will contrive t