The savages threw themselves at it, and tore at the burning branches, but this only helped to scatter the flames about.
Fitz crawled back, just in time to die inside the stockade.
“I go to Hebben now,” he said faintly to James, who was kneeling beside him holding his hand. “I’se dun my duty I fink—heah below. I see my pooh old mudder to-night—she—she—”
He said no more, and never spoke again. The noble little fellow had indeed done his duty, and doubtless would receive his reward.
James Malone was like a wild man now.
“Brother Halcott,” he cried, “summon all hands to arras, and let us sally forth and give these fiends a lesson. They have done to death this noble little fellow. Come, Halcott, come. An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth!”
He waved his sword aloft as he spoke.
So sudden and determined was the sally now made by ten resolute men that, taken thus unexpectedly, the savages became at once unmanned and demoralised.
The men of the Sea Flower advanced in a semicircle, and well spread out. After the first volley, the blacks threw a few spears wildly into the darkness, for the terrible conflagration blinded their eyes; but, huddled together as they were, they made an excellent target for the riflemen.