The Washington times., 1936-10-13


With their eight guns the be-
sieged would be able to keep the
aggressors at bay, and, with the
two little cannons, shoot them
down if they ventured up to French
Den. AS for the revolvers, the
hatchets, the ships hunting knives,
all would know how to use them
if it came to a hand-to-hand fight.
Evans approved Briant's idea OF
the heap of stones to keep the
two doors from being battered in.
If, inside, the defenders were rela-
lively strong, the enemy outside
would be weak. It must not be
forgotten that there were only six
boys from 10 to Is, against seven
vigorous men accustomed to using
arms and of a daring which would
not stop at murder.
Two days passed. Nothing of a
suspicious nature had been seen
by the young colonistS who were
observing the surrounding country
from the heights of Auckland Hill.
This was rather surprising to
Evans, who was aware of Wal
ston's plans and Of his need to
hurry.
Then the idea came to him that
Walston might try to use cunning
instead of force to capture French
Den, its defenders, and stores.
CHAPTER xxx
"You know, boys" said Evans,
there were only Kate and I to
tell Walstons plan of attack. Now,
Walston doesn't doubt for a mo-
ment that Kate persisted during
the wreck. AS for me, I'm we'll
drowned in the river, cut down by
the bullets of Rocks and Forbes.
So WalSton certainly thinks that
you know nothing about him, not
even the presence of the Severn
sailors on your island, and that
if one of them presented himself
at French Den, you would give him
the welcome which is given to
every castaway. Now, once the
rogue is il the place, it would
only be too easy to introduce his
companions, which would render
every resistance absolutely impoS-
Sible!"
We'll" declared Briant, "if Wal
ston or any of them comes, we'll
receive him with round of shots"
UNLESS it's more advisable to
receive him hat in hand" observed
Gordon.
well! Perhaps that would be
BETTER" said the mate. Craft
ness against craftineSs. Whatever
happens, we'll know what to do"
Yes! It would be wise to act
with the greatest care. Indeed, if
things turned out well, if Evans
could get possession of the Severn's
boat, the hour of deliverance might
not be far off.
The following morning passed
uneventfully, but a little before
sunset, Webb and Cross, on watch
on the cliff, came down, signalling
the approach of two men on the
southern shore of the lake. Kate
and Evans looked through one of
the openings in the store-room and
saw two of WalSton's companions,
Rock and Forbes.
Evidently" said the mate,
they are going to act by cunning,
and they'll come here as sailors
who have just escaped from a
wreck"
"What'll we do?" asked Briant.
Receive them WE'LL" said Evans.
I'LL never be able to do it," cried
Briant.
I'll take care of them" prom
ised Gordon.
That's right" replied the mate.
And above all don't let them have
a suspicion of our presence. Kate
and I will show ourselves when
the time comes"
Evans and Kate hid at the end
of one of those deep cupboardS in
the passage. A few moments later
Gordon, Briant, Doniphan and
Baxter ran forward on the bank
of the River Zealand. When they
saw them, the two men slammed
great surprise, to which Gordon
answered with no less surprise on
his part.
Rock and Forbes seemed worn
out with fatigue. When they
reached the stream, these words
were exchanged from bank to
bank:
who are you?" cried the boys.
"CastaWayS. who have lust been