280 WILD SPORTS IN THE SOUTH. 



capable of inflicting a salutary revenge ; but he was mild and 

 gentle, having outlived many of his friends and ambitions ; he 

 returned to gentle pursuits and dreamy musings to fill his vacant 

 mind. His only attempt now was a trial of endurance without 

 any retaliation upon the savages, and laying aside his fowling- 

 piece he assisted his niece in carrying up to the lantern a few 

 things that a protracted stay might render necessary. A few bags 

 of biscuit and boxes of figs, a canvas sail and a rope were brought 

 up, and two or three glass reflectors of heavy weight and much 

 value, were lifted up, with great labour, to the topmost platform. 



" I have forgotten my gun," said Laidlaw, descending for the 

 last time the winding steps, blurred with smoke and dusky with 

 the twilight, while Lou crouched down in the lantern to avoid 

 being seen from the sands. 



" And bring up some tobacco for your pipe, uncle," she called 

 after him, down the stairs. 



" I can't find the gun. Lou, did you see where I put it ? " he 

 called from below. 



" Is it not leaning against the centre post ? " she called. 

 The answer to her question was sent back up the confined tube 

 of the tower, multiplied into infinite echoes by the hollow walls, 

 in an Indian war-whoop. 



The savages had effected an entrance from below. Where was 

 her uncle ? She listened, but there was no sound of struggle or 

 pleading, no prayer or groan, only the war-whoop came up in the 

 darkness, echoing and re-echoing from vermilion-coloured lips and 

 stony walls. She leaned her head down the trap-door that com- 

 municated from the lantern to the stairs, calling, " Uncle, dear 

 uncle, shall I come to you ? " But no voice or sound replied ; 

 even the Indian yell died away. The fire had burned out, fol- 

 lowed by a perfect hush, contrasting fearfully with the yells and 

 tumult of a moment before. Lou listened and watched, but the 

 tower was thick with smoke, and darkness had settled over all 

 the world. She did not dare to go to the edge of the lantern, for 

 doubtless the savages were watching her from below. She only 

 fulfilled her woman's mission, and shutting and bolting the trap- 

 door waited and hoped. 



