We must make the fire in the
centre of the stockade, and have plenty of tar in it, to make it burn
bright, and we must not, of course, light it until after we are
attacked. We shall then see where they are trying for an entrance, and
where to aim with our muskets."
"The idea is very good, Ready," said Mr. Seagrave; "if it had not been
for this unfortunate want of water, I really should be sanguine of
beating them off."
"We may suffer very much, Mr. Seagrave, I have no doubt; but who knows
what the morrow may bring forth?"
"True, Ready. Do you see the savages now?"
"No, sir; they have left the spot where they were in consultation. I
suppose they are busy with their wounded and their dead."
As Ready had supposed, no further attack was made by the savages on
that day, and he, William, and Mr. Seagrave, were very busy making
their arrangements; they nailed the planks on the trunks of the trees
above the stockade, so as to make three sides of the stockade at least
five feet higher, and almost impossible to climb up; and they prepared
a large fire in a tar-barrel full of cocoa-nut leaves mixed with wood
and tar, so as to burn fiercely. Dinner or supper they had none, for
there was nothing but salt pork and beef and live turtle, and, by
Ready's advice, they did not eat, as it would only increase their
desire to drink.
Pages:
383
384
385
386
387
388
389
390
391
392
393
394
395
396
397
398
399
400
401
402
403
404
405
406
407