pt my
carbine and spear ready for instant use should I catch sight of the
enemy, resolved to sell my life dearly, and to avenge the murder of my
family; but no sounds came from the house. My heart sank within me.
Great was my relief when, as I got nearer, I saw my father and the
doctor seated under a wide-spreading tree, a short distance in front of
the house,--the latter puffing away at his meerschaum, and evidently
engaged in some learned disquisition or other.
I threw myself from my horse as I got up to them, but so deeply absorbed
was the doctor in his subject that he kept puffing and puffing away,
encircling his head with a cloud of smoke, and scarcely observing me.
"I beg your pardon, doctor," I said, "for interrupting you; but I have
matter of importance, which brooks of no delay." I then gave the
information I had received from Kanimapo.
My father looked grave, as well he might.
"Can the Indian be deceiving us?" suggested the doctor.
"I feel very sure that he is not," said my father.
He and the doctor then rose, and we hastened to the house. As we went
along, my father continued,--"Before we act, let us consider what is to
be done. Even were we to make no resistance, those ruffians would
murder us; so that, however inferior in numbers we may be, we must
fight. Barry, do you and Tim go into the village and beat up for
recruits. Gerald must ride off to Castle Concannan and give your uncles
notice,--Aqualonga will certainly try to surprise them. The doctor and
I will remain, and, with the aid of our blacks, make all the
preparations we can for defence. You will stay by us, doctor; but you
may prefer seeking safety in flight, as the quarrel is not yours?"
"No, no, my good friend; I will stay and fight, and attend to those who
may be wounded," answered the doctor, still sucking at his beloved
meerschaum. "Indeed, it is my belief, from what Barry says, that I am
the chief cause of the attack. The savages have heard of my chests of
specimens, and naturally suppose that they contain treasure; so that I
should be an ungrateful wretch, as well as a big coward, were I to run
away. We Germans are not in the habit of doing that. But, from the
appearance of your house, I very much doubt whether you can hold it
against a determined attack. Would it not be wiser for you to unite
with your brothers-in-law, and assist in defending their house, which
you may do successfully? It is far more capable of re
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