Part 101 (2/2)

”Jem fears fire,” said Don

”So do I, my lad, so we must keep theether to the next house, and defend that”

Fortunately for the defenders of the place there were but three s, and they were sood loop-holes from which to fire when the enemy came on The settlers defended the front of the house, and Don, Jereatly to Jem's disappointment

”We sha'n't see any of the fun, Mas' Don,” he whispered, and then renised the voice as that of Mike Bannock

”Now then you,” he shouted, ”open the door, and give in quietly If you do, you sha'n't be hurt If you ht of it, no one will be left alive”

”Look here!” shouted back Gordon; ”I warn you all that the first man who comes a step farther may lose his life Go on about your business before help coht”

”No help for a hundred ive in We want all you've got there, and what's more, we mean to have it Will you surrender?”

For answer Gordon thrust out his gun-barrel, and the convicts drew back a few yards, and conversed together before disappearing with their savage followers into the bush

”Have we scared them off?” said Gordon to one of the settlers, after ten n

”I don't know,” said the other ”I can't help thinking--”

”Look out, Mas' Don!”

_Bang_! _bang_!

Two reports fro party had suddenly shown the it the weakest part; and after the two shots about a dozen Maoris dashed at the little , and tried to get in, forcing their spears through to keep the defenders at a distance; and had not Ngati's spear played its part, darting swiftly about like the sting of some monster, the lithe, active felloould, soon have forced their way in

Directly after, the fight began at the front, the firing growing hot, and not without effect, for one of the settlers went doith a musket bullet in his shoulder, and soon after Gordon stood back, holding his arm for Don to bind it up with a strip off a towel

”Only a spear prick,” he said coolly, as he took aiht raged fiercely, ounds given and taken, but no e on either side

”Be careful anddark; then backing to the inner door as he reloaded, he spoke for a few seconds to Don

”We shall beat them off, sir,” said Don cheerily

”Yes, I hope so, reat use”

”No, sir; it's all my fault,” replied Don

”Mas' Don,” whispered Jem, as Don returned, ”look out of the ; mind the spears; then tell me what you see”

”Fire!” said Don after a ht A fire had been lit in the forest at the back, and tenthe branches on to the roof of the little log-house