CHAPTER XXV
THE GREAT INVASION
Quexo's warning was only too true. Less than a mile from the reef thesea was dotted with the brown mat sails of a large fleet of nativecraft all heading for the island.
"Forty canoes at least, by Jove!" ejaculated Mr. McKay. "And takingtwenty men to each--a low average--that means there are eight hundredof the wretches making straight for us."
"It's long odds," replied Ellerton grimly, "but we'll do our best, andperhaps we may find a means of driving them off."
"I should have thought the last little surprise would have settledthem. We must give them credit for their persistence. There's onething to our advantage, though; it's a day attack, and we are more orless 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 tookto their paddles. Then, instead of heading straight for the beach, thewhole flotilla turned its course parallel with the shore.
"That's bad," remarked Mr. McKay, pausing in the act of dragging a boxof ammunition from the house to the stockade. "They have learnt alesson, and now they mean to take us on the flank or in the rear. Comeon, lads, there's no time to be lost. We must follow them and see ifwe 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 makinga 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 bandof defenders toiled up the path leading to the interior till theyreached the summit of the cliffs overlooking the house. Then, bearingaway 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 wearisomemarch, till, from the summit of the ridge that separated their bay fromthe one where they had first landed, they saw that the hostile canoeshad gained considerably.
The usually calm waters of the lagoon were broken into thousands ofripples by the swift-moving craft, while the cliffs re-echoed to theregular beats of their paddles. Yet, without attempting to land onthat part of the shore, the savages continued their roundabout voyage.
"It's no use going any farther," gasped Mr. McKay breathlessly. "Weare only tiring ourselves out to no purpose. A hundred well-armed menwould 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 fewhours that as yet remain to us. I quite admit I have been guilty of aserious error of omission. While paying great attention to our seawarddefences, we have entirely neglected the landward approach."
On return to the terrace on which stood the dwelling-house and thepower-station, the already wearied defenders immediately set to work tofortify the approach from the interior of the island.
Sixty yards from the house began the narrow defile that afforded a roadbetween the settlement and the treasure cave. On either side thecliffs towered to nearly one hundred feet, so that once the savagestook possession of those heights the terrace could not be held.
"I suppose we cannot launch one of the canoes, provision her, and makea dash for safety?" asked Terence.
"It's too risky," replied Mr. McKay. "If seen, we should be overhauledin less than half-an-hour. No, we must stick to this place and hold itto 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 theyexpected to hear the savage shouts of their bloodthirsty foes.
Across the foot of the defile they dug a shallow trench, lining theinner side with boxes, crates, and other articles so as to form abarricade. It was a feeble defence at the most, but with five skilledriflemen armed with modern rifles behind it, the breastwork might serveits purpose.
To guard against a shower of missiles from the summit of the adjacentcliffs, a lean-to roof of stout planks was hastily constructed, earthbeing thrown upon it to deaden the shock of heavy stones, while theremaining boxes of ammunition were brought up so that the supply wasready to hand.
"Look here, Quexo," said Mr. McKay, "go to the stockade at the top ofthe cliff-path, and keep watch. Don't move, whatever happens, till wecall you, even if you hear us firing; but if you see any signs of thesavages landing on the beach, fire your rifle. You understand?"
"Yas, massa," replied the mulatto, and snatching up his rifle he ran tohis 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 prolongedwe will have no time to go to the house for food and drink."
"I'll bring some biscuits and water," replied Ellerton. "I rememberhow dry I was during the last attack. But, do you know, sir, I beginto 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 beover-confident. But now cut off and get the provisions and water."
Ellerton quickly performed his task, and, having placed the water andbiscuits 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 norails, if that's what you mean."
"No, sir, I know that," was the reply, "but I thought that if we couldplace a few tins of the stuff on those rocks we could easily manage toput a bullet through them at two hundred yards."
"By all means we'll try it," said Mr. McKay heartily. "As I've oftensaid, 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 thedangerous 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 theexplosive, adding a few handfuls of iron, nails, and bits of scrapmetal. Then, climbing over the breastwork, he was handed therough-and-ready bombs.
Thus laden he cautiously made is way up the rough defile till hereached a spot about two hundred yards from the defenders' position.
Here a mass of fallen rock, the highest part ten feet in height, formeda suitable site for his operations, and without mishap the tincanisters were placed in such a position that they could readily beseen above the heads of any number of savages likely to come betweenthem and the defences.
Meanwhile Mr. McKay was busily engaged in preparing a number ofhand-bombs, charging several small tins with explosive mixed withnails, and lashing a short length of thin rope securely to eachcompleted missile.
"I'm going to place these things here," said he, pointing to a smallcleft in the cliff. "Be careful not to knock them, or we shall punishourselves."
"How are you going to throw them?" asked Ellerton, who had meanwhilereturned from his expedition. "If they fall too close they will do usharm, and I don't think they can be thrown more than the length of acricket-pitch."
"By this," replied Mr. McKay, holding up a short stick with a notch cutin one end. "I lay the rope along the stick and jam its end betweenthe palm of my hand and the wood. By swinging the stick a greatlyincreased power is obtained; at the right moment the cord is releasedand 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 themissile not fly off at the correct tangent.
Slowly the hours dragged, for, all the preparations for the defencebeing completed, the tedious and nerve-racking ordeal of waiting forthe fray told more upon the energi
es of the defenders than would theactual fight.
The sun was sinking low ere the alert watchers detected the distantshouts 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 searchlightis ready for use. Tell Quexo to come here and take your place. Youmust take sole charge of the seaward side of our defences. Now,listen: whatever you do, don't train the searchlight this way till Idischarge my rifle. Keep the rays playing on the shore, andoccasionally flash the beam skywards. It may bring us aid. When youhear the shot, slew the projector round and direct the beam straight upthe 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 hisresponsible and single-handed task.
"It will soon be dark," said Ellerton. "That will be all the betterfor us, for these brutes won't find their way so easily."
"I don't think the darkness will stop them, provided they are notafraid 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 gosleep."
"Quexo means to go to sleep with one eye open," said Andy. "We oughtto take a leaf from his book."
"Yes, we'll feel the want of sleep as much as anything," replied hisfather. "Once the attack opens there will be little respite. Itwouldn'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 stretchingthemselves out on the ground at the foot of the barricade, and in a fewminutes, in spite of their risky position, the lads were sleepingsoundly.
Night had now fallen, and the ghostly white beams of the searchlightswept the shore, the noise of the distant surf mingling with thesubdued fizzing of the carbons as Terence diligently attended to theworking of the projector.
The far-off shouts of the savages had now ceased. Probably theinvaders, satisfied with the success of their unopposed landing, wereawaiting the dawn ere they commenced their attack.
Silence, when intent upon a hand-to-hand conflict, was a stranger tothem, and for this Mr. McKay was thankful, since few things are moretrying than the expectation of a sudden onslaught by an unseen andunheard foe.
Notwithstanding this peculiarity on the part of the invaders, Mr. McKaydid not for one moment relax his vigilance. Rifle in hand he stood,rarely altering his position, and gazed stedfastly in the direction ofthe defile, his ears alert for the faintest footfall or shout thatmight denote the approach of the bloodthirsty savages.
Although the defenders were cut off from their carefully preparedretreat in the treasure cave, another shelter yet remained. The cavernwhere Blight had been kept a prisoner had been since used as atemporary storehouse for several casks of provisions. As a lastresource 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 refugewould be a means of only prolonging the sufferings of the defenders.
Hopeful as he generally was, Mr. McKay fully realised that he and hiscompanions were in a very tight fix, and unless the skill and resourceof civilisation could overcome the superior numbers and recklesscourage of the savages, nothing short of a timely rescue would save thedefenders from death.
Then Mr. McKay found himself counting the number of days which hadelapsed since the French schooner had exchanged signals with theisland. Even allowing for light winds and calms she would have hadtime to reach some port, and, should the captain keep his word, agunboat 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 shoutsat no great distance, then came the confused noise of scuffling feettearing down the defile.
"Up with you," he shouted.
But the warning was unnecessary, for the three lads, awakened by thenoise, were already standing to their arms.
"It's the sheep!" exclaimed Ellerton.
"The savages have frightened them, and they are running this way forshelter," said Andy. "That means that the natives will soon be attheir heels."
The terrified sheep continued their flight till they found theiradvance checked by the barricade, and in a confused, struggling massthey herded into the corner formed by the breastwork and the adjoiningcliff, their loud baa-ing adding to the confusion.
Then upon the brow of the rise at the end of the defile appeared amultitude of lights, and with fierce shouts the savages tore down therough inclined path straight for the barricade.
WITH FIERCE SHOUTS THE SAVAGES TORE DOWN THE PATHSTRAIGHT FOR THE BARRICADE]