en the midshipmen got to the door of the house they found a large
party collected, most of them with arms in hand and full of fight. For
what they could tell to the contrary, however, the Tae-pings might
already have scaled the walls. Just as they were setting off, the tramp
of a large body of men was heard approaching. The midshipmen recognised
Captain Rogers with the blue-jackets and marines of his ship, and
several officers. Tom at once joined his brother, and confessed what
they had been about, and how narrowly they had escaped being caught by
the rebels.

"You were the means, however, of putting the garrison on the alert, for
the messenger who came off with a request for me to land my men informed
me that a party of midshipmen had brought in the intelligence of the
approach of the enemy."

Tom was well pleased to hear this, as he hoped that he and his
companions would escape the reprimand they expected to receive for
having gone so far from the city. The sound of heavy guns was now
heard, and a shot occasionally pitched into the ground at no great
distance in front of them, showing that the enemy could not be far off
outside the walls.

"They have not yet got inside, and we shall be in time to help drive
them off before they succeed," said Jack.

A Chinese officer had been sent to guide the seamen to a part of the
walls where the defenders most required support. Just as they arrived
the guns pointed in that direction had ceased firing, and large bodies
of men were seen through the gloom approaching with scaling ladders.

"We shall soon tumble those fellows over if they make the attempt to
escalade the walls," said Tom.

The rebels, however, showed no want of pluck. In another instant the
ladders were placed against the walls, and numbers of pig-tailed
fellows, with broad hats, holding their shields above their heads, began
to climb up, in spite of the hot fire which the marines and blue jackets
poured down upon them. They had evidently not expected to meet with
such a reception, supposing that the place was defended only by their
own countrymen armed with matchlocks and spears. Along the whole line
of the wall, at different points, the same scene was being enacted.
Thousands of men were crowding forward, expecting by their numbers to
overcome the limited garrison, but in every place they were met by the
most determined courage, the civilians vying with the soldiers in
repelling the foe.

Captain R