THE GREAT INVASION
Quexo's warning was only too true. Less than a mile from the reef the
sea was dotted with the brown mat sails of a large fleet of native
craft all heading for the island.
"Forty canoes at least, by Jove!" ejaculated Mr. McKay. "And taking
twenty men to each--a low average--that means there are eight hundred
of the wretches making straight for us."
"It's long odds," replied Ellerton grimly, "but we'll do our best, and
perhaps we may find a means of driving them off."
"I should have thought the last little surprise would have settled
them. We must give them credit for their persistence. There's one
thing to our advantage, though; it's a day attack, and we are more or
less prepared for it. But what are they up to now?"
The advancing canoes had now reached the entrance to the lagoon, and,
with marvellous precision, their sails were lowered, and the crews took
to their paddles. Then, instead of heading straight for the beach, the
whole flotilla turned its course parallel with the shore.
"That's bad," remarked Mr. McKay, pausing in the act of dragging a box
of ammunition from the house to the stockade. "They have learnt a
lesson, and now they mean to take us on the flank or in the rear. Come
on, lads, there's no time to be lost. We must follow them and see if
we can prevent them landing."
Fortunately the savages' idea of strategy was not very advanced.
Instead of keeping one section of their fleet for the purpose of making
a feint or a frontal attack while the other canoes skirted the island,
the whole of the boats kept together.
Loaded with ammunition-belts and carrying their rifles, the little band
of defenders toiled up the path leading to the interior till they
reached the summit of the cliffs overlooking the house. Then, bearing
away to the left, they hastened to keep pace with their savage invaders.
Through the palm-groves, fighting their way between patches of thick,
prickly scrub, Mr. McKay and his companions continued their wearisome
march, till, from the summit of the ridge that separated their bay from
the one where they had first landed, they saw that the hostile canoes
had gained considerably.
The usually calm waters of the lagoon were broken into thousands of
ripples by the swift-moving craft, while the cliffs re-echoed to the
regular beats of their paddles. Yet, without attempting to land on
that part of the shore, the savages continued their roundabout voyage.
"It's no use going any farther," gasped Mr. McKay breathlessly. "We
are only tiring ourselves out to no purpose. A hundred well-armed men
would be powerless to prevent them landing."
"Then what's to be done?"
"We must return to the house and make every possible use of the few
hours that as yet remain to us. I quite admit I have been guilty of a
serious error of omission. While paying great attention to our seaward
defences, we have entirely neglected the landward approach."
On return to the terrace on which stood the dwelling-house and the
power-station, the already wearied defenders immediately set to work to
fortify the approach from the interior of the island.
Sixty yards from the house began the narrow defile that afforded a road
between the settlement and the treasure cave. On either side the
cliffs towered to nearly one hundred feet, so that once the savages
took possession of those heights the terrace could not be held.
"I suppose we cannot launch one of the canoes, provision her, and make
a dash for safety?" asked Terence.
"It's too risky," replied Mr. McKay. "If seen, we should be overhauled
in less than half-an-hour. No, we must stick to this place and hold it
to the last, so let's set to at once."
With the energy of despair all hands worked with feverish desperation,
their loaded rifles lying within easy reach, while every moment they
expected to hear the savage shouts of their bloodthirsty foes.
Across the foot of the defile they dug a shallow trench, lining the
inner side with boxes, crates, and other articles so as to form a
barricade. It was a feeble defence at the most, but with five skilled
riflemen armed with modern rifles behind it, the breastwork might serve
its purpose.
To guard against a shower of missiles from the summit of the adjacent
cliffs, a lean-to roof of stout planks was hastily constructed, earth
being thrown upon it to deaden the shock of heavy stones, while the
remaining boxes of ammunition were brought up so that the supply was
ready to hand.
"Look here, Quexo," said Mr. McKay, "go to the stockade at the top of
the cliff-path, and keep watch. Don't move, whatever happens, till we
call you, even if you hear us firing; but if you see any signs of the
savages landing on the beach, fire your rifle. You understand?"
"Yas, massa," replied the mulatto, and snatching up his rifle he ran to
his appointed post as quickly as his legs could carry him.
"We mustn't forget water and provisions, Ellerton," said Mr. McKay.
"They must be brought ready to hand, for if the fighting is prolonged
we will have no time to go to the house for food and drink."
"I'll bring some biscuits and water," replied Ellerton. "I remember
how dry I was during the last attack. But, do you know, sir, I begin
to feel quite hopeful, now our defences are completed."
"It's certainly improved the situation, Hoppy," replied Mr. McKay.
"But we've a tough job in front of us. Eight or nine hundred savages,
each eager for a fight and keen on plundering us. We must not be
over-confident. But now cut off and get the provisions and water."
Ellerton quickly performed his task, and, having placed the water and
biscuits in the spot indicated by Mr. McKay, he observed:
"It's a pity we can't use some of that dynamite again."
"We cannot make the trucks run up hill, and, besides, there are no
rails, if that's what you mean."
"No, sir, I know that," was the reply, "but I thought that if we could
place a few tins of the stuff on those rocks we could easily manage to
put a bullet through them at two hundred yards."
"By all means we'll try it," said Mr. McKay heartily. "As I've often
said, you're a brick."
Accordingly Ellerton ran to the cave where the explosive was stored,
and returned at a walking pace with nearly forty pounds of the
dangerous compound.
"Don't use all of it," said Mr. McKay. "Here, take these three tins;
they'll be a better mark for us."
Into each of the metal boxes Ellerton placed about ten pounds of the
explosive, adding a few handfuls of iron, nails, and bits of scrap
metal. Then, climbing over the breastwork, he was handed the
rough-and-ready bombs.
Thus laden he cautiously made his way up the rough defile till he
reached a spot about two hundred yards from the defenders' position.
Here a mass of fallen rock, the highest part ten feet in height, formed
a suitable site for his operations, and without mishap the tin
canisters were placed in such a position that they could readily be
seen above the heads of any number of savages likely to come between
them and the defences.
Meanwhile Mr. McKay was busily engaged in preparing a number of
hand-bombs, charging several small tins with explosive mixed with
nails, and lashing a short length of thin rope securely to each
completed missile.
"I'm going to place these things here," said he, pointing to a small
cleft in the cliff. "Be careful not to knock them, or we shall punish
ourselves."
"How are you going to throw them?" asked Ellerton, who had meanwhile
returned from his expedition. "If they fall too close they will do us
harm, and I don't think they can be thrown more than the length of a
cricket-pitch."
"By this," replied Mr. McKay, holding up a short stick with a notch cut
in one end. "I lay the rope along the stick and jam its end between
the palm of my hand and the wood. By swinging the stick a greatly
increased power is obtained; at the right moment the cord is released
and the bomb flies off at a tangent."
"I see," replied Ellerton, and although he had great faith in Mr.
McKay, he found himself wondering what the result would be did the
missile not fly off at the correct tangent.
Slowly the hours dragged, for, all the preparations for the defence
being completed, the tedious and nerve-racking ordeal of waiting for
the fray told more upon the energies of the defenders than would the
actual fight.
The sun was sinking low ere the alert watchers detected the distant
shouts of the savages.
"They've found the trail leading to the cave, I fancy," remarked Mr.
McKay. "They'll be here before dark, unless I'm much mistaken.
Terence, you had better start the dynamo and see that the searchlight
is ready for use. Tell Quexo to come here and take your place. You
must take sole charge of the seaward side of our defences. Now,
listen: whatever you do, don't train the searchlight this way till I
discharge my rifle. Keep the rays playing on the shore, and
occasionally flash the beam skywards. It may bring us aid. When you
hear the shot, slew the projector round and direct the beam straight up
the defile. You quite understand?"
"Yes, sir," replied Terence. "You can rely upon me."
"I feel sure of it," was the quiet reply, as the lad set off on his
responsible and single-handed task.
"It will soon be dark," said Ellerton. "That will be all the better
for us, for these brutes won't find their way so easily."
"I don't think the darkness will stop them, provided they are not
afraid of it. These savages can find their way by night like cats.
Hullo, Quexo, tired, eh?"
"No, massa, not berry tired. One eye he go sleep, den oder eye he go
sleep."
"Quexo means to go to sleep with one eye open," said Andy. "We ought
to take a leaf from his book."
"Yes, we'll feel the want of sleep as much as anything," replied his
father. "Once the attack opens there will be little respite. It
wouldn't be a bad idea if you three were to snatch a few moments' rest.
I'll wake you up in time, never fear."
This advice was acted upon, Andy, Ellerton, and Quexo stretching
themselves out on the ground at the foot of the barricade, and in a few
minutes, in spite of their risky position, the lads were sleeping
soundly.
Night had now fallen, and the ghostly white beams of the searchlight
swept the shore, the noise of the distant surf mingling with the
subdued fizzing of the carbons as Terence diligently attended to the
working of the projector.
The far-off shouts of the savages had now ceased. Probably the
invaders, satisfied with the success of their unopposed landing, were
awaiting the dawn ere they commenced their attack.
Silence, when intent upon a hand-to-hand conflict, was a stranger to
them, and for this Mr. McKay was thankful, since few things are more
trying than the expectation of a sudden onslaught by an unseen and
unheard foe.
Notwithstanding this peculiarity on the part of the invaders, Mr. McKay
did not for one moment relax his vigilance. Rifle in hand he stood,
rarely altering his position, and gazed stedfastly in the direction of
the defile, his ears alert for the faintest footfall or shout that
might denote the approach of the bloodthirsty savages.
Although the defenders were cut off from their carefully prepared
retreat in the treasure cave, another shelter yet remained. The cavern
where Blight had been kept a prisoner had been since used as a
temporary storehouse for several casks of provisions. As a last
resource it could be held, possibly for a month.
But if the natives took the island and showed no disposition to leave,
after having plundered the white man's possessions, even that refuge
would be a means of only prolonging the sufferings of the defenders.
Hopeful as he generally was, Mr. McKay fully realised that he and his
companions were in a very tight fix, and unless the skill and resource
of civilisation could overcome the superior numbers and reckless
courage of the savages, nothing short of a timely rescue would save the
defenders from death.
Then Mr. McKay found himself counting the number of days which had
elapsed since the French schooner had exchanged signals with the
island. Even allowing for light winds and calms she would have had
time to reach some port, and, should the captain keep his word, a
gunboat or at least a trading vessel might be on her way to the rescue.
Mr. McKay's thoughts were interrupted by a loud chorus of savage shouts
at no great distance, then came the confused noise of scuffling feet
tearing down the defile.
"Up with you," he shouted.
But the warning was unnecessary, for the three lads, awakened by the
noise, were already standing to their arms.
"It's the sheep!" exclaimed Ellerton.
"The savages have frightened them, and they are running this way for
shelter," said Andy. "That means that the natives will soon be at
their heels."
The terrified sheep continued their flight till they found their
advance checked by the barricade, and in a confused, struggling mass
they herded into the corner formed by the breastwork and the adjoining
cliff, their loud baa-ing adding to the confusion.
Then upon the brow of the rise at the end of the defile appeared a
multitude of lights, and with fierce shouts the savages tore down the
rough inclined path straight for the barricade.
[Illustration: WITH FIERCE SHOUTS THE SAVAGES TORE DOWN THE PATH
STRAIGHT FOR THE BARRICADE]