Part 104 (2/2)

”Yes, bring powder,” said another voice, one, however, that sounded very weak and faint. ”I think I can reload, too, for the lads.”

”No, no, Mr Anderson,” cried Murray excitedly; ”leave it all to us, sir. The enemy are coming on again, and there is no time to make fresh preparations.”

”Ahoy, there, Mr Murray! Now's your time!”

”Off with you, my lad, and Heaven help you!” groaned the lieutenant.

”Roberts, we must bear our lot, and be satisfied with our defenders.”

Murray was already through the door which separated the two rooms, to find the men waiting, as ready and eager as if not one amongst them had been wounded.

”Are they very near?” asked Murray excitedly.

”Quite nigh enough, sir,” growled the man who was hugging one keg, another able-seaman holding another, while the black grasped a couple of the extemporised sh.e.l.ls.

”No, no, Caesar,” said Murray sharply. ”Put those down here; they are for throwing. You lead the way out through the lower door along the path the enemy will come.”

”Yes sah. You come too?” cried the black.

”Yes; quick! Off with you!”

The man hurried down the staircase, followed by the two sailors, whose comrades had received their orders to stand fast at the upper window to cover the engineering party. The door was thrown open, and Murray led the way out into the darkness, Caesar holding his hand tightly.

”Too late!” said the lad hoa.r.s.ely; and he drew back.

”No, no, sah; plenty time,” whispered the black. ”Come 'long.”

”Ay, ay, sir!” growled Tom May. ”Sharp's the word.”

”But we shall be running into their arms, my lad, and lose the powder.”

”Not us, sir. They can't see us coming, and we mustn't let 'em hear us.”

”Forward, then,” whispered Murray. ”What! there, Caesar?” he continued, for the black had run forward a few steps and then stopped short in a dark alley leading towards the side of the plantation and the quarters of the black servants.

”Yes, ma.s.sa. Huggins man mus' come 'long here.”

There was no time for consideration, for the enemy was evidently approaching cautiously, and before any further order could be given Tom May had plumped down the keg he carried, and his companion was about to follow suit with the other, but Murray checked him.

”No, no,” he whispered; ”one first. Is the top quite open, Tom?”

”Open it is, sir,” was the reply.

”Now then, my lad, take the other keg and lay the train. Sprinkle it thickly, walking backward right away along the path here to the door.”

”Right it is, sir,” growled the big sailor. ”No, no, messmate; you keep hold o' the barrel and walk alongside. I'll ladle it out. Mind, all on you, not to tread in the dust. D'yer hear, darkie? Keep back, I tell you; too many cooks 'll spoil the broth.”

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