Page:Hugh Pendexter--Tiberius Smith.djvu/97

 "‘They're Tan-Nics, all right,' he decided, slamming the door. 'Hunt up some guns and powder.' "But search as I would, while he kept watch, I could find no fire-arms nor ammunition. By this time our visitors had scattered and had shot out the few small windows. Then, waxing more obstreperous as we made no return, they crept nearer, and one industrious varlet from behind a tree began bombarding the door with big rocks.

"‘Never mind, my lad,' growled Tib, picking up a can of beef. 'Two can play at that pastime.' And as the anarchist became still more venturesome and exposed his person, Tib took a pot-shot through the window and nailed him on the brow. But the effect was not as we desired. The other beggars, on discovering the can of beef, forgot their wounded comrade and seemed more anxious than before to storm us and obtain the rest of the fodder.

"‘Maybe MacGully will get worried when we do not return, and send aid,' I encouraged.

"‘My boy,' said Tib, 'this portal was once massy and solid. It's now old and decayed. The hinges are already loosened by the onslaught, and long before Mac can arrive Lucknow will have fallen. We must make for the Swamp House.'

"‘I can't see it!' I cried; for although if given a clear way we could easily distance the foe, who had no skates, it seemed impossible to gain the lake and