The convicts, exasperated at the way they had been outwitted, opened a heavy continuous fire upon the hut, under cover of which several attempts were made to carry the hut by assault. But the assaulting parties were easily discouraged by the steady fire that met them at each attempt.
"It looks as if they were getting desperate," said the captain. "I reckon they know now that we can hold out for a long time yet, and they are gettin' discouraged," and his companions agreed with him.
Towards morning the convicts' fire slackened and gradually ceased.
Just as day was breaking, the distant report of a rifle was borne to the ears of the besieged.
Charley, who was now able to leave his bed, listened eagerly. "It's Indian Charley's rifle. I know the sound," he declared, "ten shots; I wonder what it means."
From the fort, came an answering volley of ten rifle shots.
"It's a signal," cried Walter. "I wonder what it's for."
"Hallo there in the but, we want a parley," hailed a rough voice from the fort.
"All right," answered Charley, "send forward one man, unarmed."
A convict emerged from the fort and advanced towards the hut with fearful, hesitating footsteps.