"
Ready went for the barrico, a little cask, which held six or seven
gallons of water. He put on the head-dress and war-cloak of the savage;
and, taking the barrico on his shoulder, and the spear in his hand, the
poles which barred the door were softly removed by William, and after
ascertaining that no one was concealed beneath the palisades, Ready
pressed William's hand, and set off across the cleared space outside of
the stockade, and gained the cocoa-nut trees. William, as directed,
closed the door, passed one pole through the inner door-posts for
security, and remained on the watch. He was in an awful state of
suspense, listening to the slightest noise, even the slight rustling by
the wind of the cocoa-nut boughs above him made him start; there he
continued for some minutes, his gun ready cocked by his side.
It is time that he returned, thought William; the distance is not 100
yards, and yet I have heard no noise. At last he thought he heard
footsteps coming very softly. Yes, it was so. Ready was returning, and
without any accident. William had his hand upon the pole, to slip it on
one side and open the door, when he beard a scuffle and a fall close to
the door.
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