Seagrave, as they were on the top of the
stockade.
When the fire burnt brightly, the savages outside were more easily
aimed at, and a great many fell in their attempts to get over. The
attack continued more than an hour, when at last, satisfied that they
could not succeed, the savages once more withdrew, carrying with them,
as before, their dead and wounded.
"I trust that they will now re-embark, and leave the island," said Mr.
Seagrave.
"I only wish they may, sir; it is not at all impossible; but there is
no saying. I have been thinking, Mr. Seagrave, that we might be able to
ascertain their movements by making a look-out. You see, sir, that
cocoa-nut tree," continued Ready, pointing to one of those to which the
palisades were fastened, "is much taller than any of the others: now,
by driving spike-nails into the trunk at about a foot apart, we might
ascend it with ease, and it would command a view of the whole bay; we
then could know what the enemy were about."
"Yes, that is very true; but will not anyone be very much exposed if he
climbs up?"
"No, sir; for you see the cocoa-nut trees are cut down clear of the
palisades to such a distance, that no savage could come at all near
without being seen by anyone on the look-out, and giving us sufficient
time to get down again before he could use his spear.
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