Part 40 (1/2)
On return to the terrace on which stood the dwelling-house and the power-station, the already wearied defenders immediately set to work to fortify the approach from the interior of the island.
Sixty yards from the house began the narrow defile that afforded a road between the settlement and the treasure cave. On either side the cliffs towered to nearly one hundred feet, so that once the savages took possession of those heights the terrace could not be held.
”I suppose we cannot launch one of the canoes, provision her, and make a dash for safety?” asked Terence.
”It's too risky,” replied Mr. McKay. ”If seen, we should be overhauled in less than half-an-hour. No, we must stick to this place and hold it to the last, so let's set to at once.”
With the energy of despair all hands worked with feverish desperation, their loaded rifles lying within easy reach, while every moment they expected to hear the savage shouts of their bloodthirsty foes.
Across the foot of the defile they dug a shallow trench, lining the inner side with boxes, crates, and other articles so as to form a barricade. It was a feeble defence at the most, but with five skilled riflemen armed with modern rifles behind it, the breastwork might serve its purpose.
To guard against a shower of missiles from the summit of the adjacent cliffs, a lean-to roof of stout planks was hastily constructed, earth being thrown upon it to deaden the shock of heavy stones, while the remaining boxes of ammunition were brought up so that the supply was ready to hand.
”Look here, Quexo,” said Mr. McKay, ”go to the stockade at the top of the cliff-path, and keep watch. Don't move, whatever happens, till we call you, even if you hear us firing; but if you see any signs of the savages landing on the beach, fire your rifle. You understand?”
”Yas, ma.s.sa,” replied the mulatto, and s.n.a.t.c.hing up his rifle he ran to his appointed post as quickly as his legs could carry him.
”We mustn't forget water and provisions, Ellerton,” said Mr. McKay.
”They must be brought ready to hand, for if the fighting is prolonged we will have no time to go to the house for food and drink.”
”I'll bring some biscuits and water,” replied Ellerton. ”I remember how dry I was during the last attack. But, do you know, sir, I begin to feel quite hopeful, now our defences are completed.”
”It's certainly improved the situation, Hoppy,” replied Mr. McKay.
”But we've a tough job in front of us. Eight or nine hundred savages, each eager for a fight and keen on plundering us. We must not be over-confident. But now cut off and get the provisions and water.”
Ellerton quickly performed his task, and, having placed the water and biscuits in the spot indicated by Mr. McKay, he observed:
”It's a pity we can't use some of that dynamite again.”
”We cannot make the trucks run up hill, and, besides, there are no rails, if that's what you mean.”
”No, sir, I know that,” was the reply, ”but I thought that if we could place a few tins of the stuff on those rocks we could easily manage to put a bullet through them at two hundred yards.”
”By all means we'll try it,” said Mr. McKay heartily. ”As I've often said, you're a brick.”
Accordingly Ellerton ran to the cave where the explosive was stored, and returned at a walking pace with nearly forty pounds of the dangerous compound.
”Don't use all of it,” said Mr. McKay. ”Here, take these three tins; they'll be a better mark for us.”
Into each of the metal boxes Ellerton placed about ten pounds of the explosive, adding a few handfuls of iron, nails, and bits of sc.r.a.p metal. Then, climbing over the breastwork, he was handed the rough-and-ready bombs.
Thus laden he cautiously made is way up the rough defile till he reached a spot about two hundred yards from the defenders' position.
Here a ma.s.s of fallen rock, the highest part ten feet in height, formed a suitable site for his operations, and without mishap the tin canisters were placed in such a position that they could readily be seen above the heads of any number of savages likely to come between them and the defences.
Meanwhile Mr. McKay was busily engaged in preparing a number of hand-bombs, charging several small tins with explosive mixed with nails, and las.h.i.+ng a short length of thin rope securely to each completed missile.
”I'm going to place these things here,” said he, pointing to a small cleft in the cliff. ”Be careful not to knock them, or we shall punish ourselves.”
”How are you going to throw them?” asked Ellerton, who had meanwhile returned from his expedition. ”If they fall too close they will do us harm, and I don't think they can be thrown more than the length of a cricket-pitch.”
”By this,” replied Mr. McKay, holding up a short stick with a notch cut in one end. ”I lay the rope along the stick and jam its end between the palm of my hand and the wood. By swinging the stick a greatly increased power is obtained; at the right moment the cord is released and the bomb flies off at a tangent.”