animation, they expected to see the knife of the savage driven into the chest of the sleeping and unsuspecting sailor, the latter suddenly started up, and, instinct with the full sense of the danger by which he was menaced, in less time than we take to describe it, seized the tiller of his rudder, the only available instrument within his reach, and directing a powerful blow at the head of his amphibious enemy, laid him, without apparent life or motion, across the boat.

“Almighty God! what can this mean?” exclaimed Miss de Haldimar, as soon as she could recover her presence of mind.  “There is some fearful treachery in agitation; and a cloud now hangs over all, that will soon burst with irresistible fury on our devoted heads.  Clara, my love,” and she conducted the almost fainting girl to a seat, “wait here until I return.  The moment is critical, and my father must be apprised of what we have seen.  Unless the gates of the fort be instantly closed, we are lost.”

“Oh, Madeline, leave me not alone,” entreated the sinking Clara.  “We will go together.  Perhaps I may be of service to you below.”

“The thought is good; but have you strength and courage to face the dark chiefs in the council-room.  If so, hasten there, and put my father on his guard, while I fly across the parade, and warn Captain Baynton of the danger.”

With these words she drew the arm of her agitated cousin within her own, and, rapidly traversing the apartment, gained the bed-room which opened close upon the head of the principal staircase.  Already were they descending the first steps, when a loud cry, that sent a thrill of terror through their blood, was heard from without the fort.  For a moment Miss de Haldimar continued irresolute; and leaning against the rude balustrade for support, passed her hand rapidly across her brow, as if to collect her scattered energies.  The necessity for prompt and immediate action was, however, evident; and she alone was capable of exertion.  Speechless with alarm, and trembling in every joint, the unhappy Clara had now lost all command of her limbs; and, clinging close to the side of her cousin, by her wild looks alone betrayed consciousness had not wholly deserted her.  The energy of despair lent more than woman’s strength to Miss de Haldimar.  She caught the fainting girl in her arms, retraced her way to the chamber, and depositing her burden on the bed, emphatically enjoined her on no account to move until her return.  She then quitted the room, and rapidly descended the staircase.

For some moments all was still and hushed as the waveless air; and then again a loud chorus of shouts was heard from the ramparts of the fort.  The choked breathing of the young girl became more free, and the blood rushed once more from her oppressed heart to the extremities.  Never did tones of the human voice fall more gratefully on the ear of mariner cast on some desert island, than did those on that of the highly excited Clara.