BESIEGmG THE LIGHT-HOUSE. 399 



was ever so pretty to a lonesome bein'. Ha ! they've 

 got a long pull to make yet, before they can blow out 

 that ere light." 



He conned over again the devices of the Indians, and 

 came back to his first conclusion that there was one 

 watching the light-house, while the rest had left on a 

 ruse. 



"Don't think that ere Injin is in a very safe spot," 

 said he to himself, rubbing down the barrel of his rifle 

 with his rough hand, and looking at the waves that kept 

 him still on shore. 



When the morning came, Tiger Tail with his band 

 came back to the island to complete his revenge, but 

 Mike had already gone down along the lee shore during 

 the night, and was waiting for him. 



The Indians, well knowing who was in the tower, 

 made no secret of their approach. They landed just 

 back of the house, and walked around the tower, and in 

 and out the little building where Lou had so pleasantly 

 lived. They entered the base of the tower whooping 

 and yelling, and looking with eager eyes toward the 

 aperture that led to the lantern. The sea was still roll- 

 ing in its heavy billows ; as they toppled over and 

 danced in foam, the impetus of the waters behind them 

 carried them up to the base of the tower, when they 

 climbed up like a sheaf of white feathers, and then raced 

 back down the sands to gain forctJ for another attempt. 

 The outer side of the tower was in a measure protected 

 by the surf from the savages, and they confined their 



