"I'm willing to do it," said Ellerton resolutely. "I can creep along the base of the cliff so as to be out of sight."
"Then do it, my boy. Now's the time to act, before they have got over their last reverse."
Without a moment's delay, Ellerton dashed across the spear-encumbered ground and gained the shelter of the overhanging cliffs. Then waving his hands to his companions, he disappeared from view.
There was a lull in the fighting. The defenders, anxiously awaiting their comrade's return, lay idle within their defences, while the natives were content to hurl an occasional spear or stone upon the roofs of the buildings to show that they were still determined to continue the attack.
"I hope Ellerton's all right," exclaimed Andy uneasily. "He's been gone quite long enough."
"I cannot help thinking the same," replied his father.
They waited another five minutes, then Quexo announced his intention of going to search for Massa El'ton.
"Be careful, then, Quexo," said Andy. "Remember Mr. Ellerton may have lit the fuse—set fire to great bang-up," he added, noting that the mulatto looked puzzled over the word "fuse."
"All right, Massa Andy. Quexo he mind take care ob self an' Massa El'ton."
Another five minutes passed in breathless suspense. What had happened? Ellerton had only to cover a distance of about four hundred yards both ways. Allowing for the rugged nature of the ground, and the necessity for caution, he ought to have returned several minutes ago. Perhaps he had stumbled and was lying helpless within a few feet of the heavily charged mine.