“What about mortar?” said Ned.
“Think they were for building, sir?” said the American.
“Yes; don’t you?”
“No, sir,” was the reply. “It seems to fit with my idea.”
“What do you think, then?” said the doctor.
“I think the same as I did before, sir. Those are powder and shot.”
“What!” cried the boys, in a breath.
“Ammunition to cast down at an attacking force?” said the doctor eagerly.
“Looks like it, sir. You see, they’ve used most from close to where the enemy was coming up the steps. Perhaps I’m wrong, though. Let’s see what’s been going on here. But first of all, is there another floor higher up the cliff?”
A careful search only seemed to prove that they were now on a level with the highest terrace and range of chambers, while close by the top of the steps there was ample endorsement of Chris’s exclamation about the fighting that had gone on.