BESIEGIXG THE LIGHT-HOUSE. 403 



the lantern. The others scattered about, each one in a 

 different direction, thus commanding the tower from all 

 sides. The young man who had first advanced walked 

 up to the cocoa-tree, and keeping on the side furthest 

 from the tower, commenced to ascend it. 



The beleaguered girl saw at a glance the intent of the 

 savage, for the tufted head of the tree where hung the 

 huge cocoa-nuts was nearly on a level with the base of 

 the lantern, and lying as close as possible, she would not 

 be able entirely to hide herself from his shot. 



She saw him mount slowly up, only his arms and legs 

 exposed to her view, looking like bronze serpents 

 enlacing the tree. He had reached the top of the trunk, 

 the long spinous leaves waved and tossed their bending 

 fans above him, and hid him from her view. He unslung 

 his rifle from his back. There came a lull in the wind. 

 The cocoa-tree resumed its upright position, and the 

 marksman steadied himself -for a shot. Again sounded 

 the crack of a rifle it came from the islet in the bay 

 and the young Indian dropped motionless to the sands 

 beneath, like the fruit of the tree when it is fully ripe. 



There was no doubt in the minds of the savages now 

 as to whence came the blow. They had heard the 

 report of the rifle, and each one, with a whoop, sprang 

 off to a cover, and the one behind the chimney on the 

 house-top jumped from his exposed position with a cele- 

 rity that showed more fear than courage. In a moment 

 more there was not a savage to be seen ; .only the two 

 dead bodies lay on the beach. 



