'Now,' Charley said, 'every barrel we have;' and from the top of the tower a rain of lead poured down upon the bewildered Indians. The horses, frightened and wounded, kicked and struggled dreadfully, and did almost as much harm to their masters as the deadly bullets of the whites; and when the fire ceased, not more than half of them regained their seats and galloped off, leaving the rest, men and horses, in a ghastly heap. Seeing them in full retreat, the occupants of the tower descended to receive Mr. Hardy and Fitzgerald, Terence much delighted at having at last had his share in a skirmish. 'Well done, boys! Very well planned, Charley!' Mr. Hardy said as he reined in his horse. 'That was a near escape.' 'Not as near a one as Hubert has had, by a long way, papa.' 'Indeed!' Mr. Hardy said anxiously. 'Let me hear all about it.' 'We have not heard ourselves yet,' Charley answered. 'It occurred only a few minutes before your own. The girls behaved splendidly; but they are rather upset now. If you will go up to the house to them, I will be up directly, but there are a few things to see about first. Lopez,' he went on, 'carry out what I told you before: get the men in from the ploughs and see all secured. Tell them to hurry, for it will be dark soon. Kill a couple of sheep and bring them up to the house; we shall be a large party, and it may be wanted. Then let the peons all have supper. Come up to the house in an hour for instructions. See yourself that the dogs are fastened down by the cattle. Terence, take your place on the lookout, and fire a gun if you see any one moving.' Having seen that his various orders were obeyed, Charley went up to the house. He found the whole party assembled in the sitting-room. Maud and Ethel had quite recovered, although both looked pale. Mrs. Hardy, absorbed in her attention to them, had fortunately heard nothing of her husband's danger, until the firing from above, followed by a shout of triumph, told her that any danger there was, had been defeated. 'Now, papa,' Charley said, 'you give us your account first.'