278 WILD SPORTS IN THE SOUTH. 



forty feet more, slightly decreasing in size, until within a few feet 

 of the top, when it suddenly expanded to receive the bell-shaped 

 lantern of glass that covered the lamps. 



Under this lantern was constructed a stone platform, overlaying 

 the tower, and extending out till it formed a narrow ledge, and a 

 single hand-rail ran round its exterior edge, so that the light-keeper 

 could walk the outside, polish the glasses, and keep undimmed the 

 light. In the lantern stood the lamps on a pedestal, with their 

 metal reflectors, a can of oil and a bundle of waste, for polishing. 



At the base of the tower, and on the side from the sea, was a 

 heavy oaken door, entrance to which was gained by a little flight 

 of stairs, and the door was placed above the stone-work, so as to be 

 free from any extraordinary tides. On the level with the door in 

 the tower was a pile of stores of divers kinds, some provisions and 

 some necessary implements for the station. From this, winding 

 stairs of wood ran up to the narrow opening that led to the lantern. 



When Lou and her uncle took refuge from the savages, they 

 remained at the bottom of the tower, reclining on the cordage or 

 bales, save as they were occupied in trying to make discoveries of 

 the savages through the narrow windows that here and there were 

 cut, like arrow slits, into the walls for the purpose of light It was 

 hither they descended when the unsuccessful Indian diplomatist 

 departed, and they were left once more to their own anxious ex- 

 pectations, and to the renewed machinations of their foes. 



It was not a great while they had to wait before they heard on 

 the exterior the guttural voices of the savages, and felt the door 

 vibrating under their tests of its strength. Presently they heard 

 heavy blows as though from a stick of timber, and then the sharp 

 rap of a hatchet. Laidlaw started up, and arming himself with 

 the only weapon he possessed, an old fowling-piece, prepared to do 

 battle, when the door should no longer be a security. Lou 

 retreated up the steps toward the lantern. But the door was of 

 live oak, studded with nails, and the Indians did not care to risk 

 their hatchets on so stern a material, and even the blows of the 

 timber presently ceased, the assailants finding it difficult to make 

 their battering ram work effectively from the narrow platform 

 afforded by the steps on the exterior. 



