"If you please, sir," said Blunt coming forward and saluting, "if you will allow me, I think I could find the back-track to Colchester, and fetch out a couple of lanterns."

The guide and the Indians shook their heads. They said no man could do that now; he would be sure to go wrong, and never be heard of more. But Blunt was obstinate; he knew he possessed that strange faculty (not given to one man in a million, though bountifully bestowed on horses and some of the lower animals) of being able to retrace his steps instinctively without any landmark whatever to guide him, and he implored the Colonel to give him the desired permission.

"But it's certain death, man!" answered the Colonel, one of the most humane men in every action of life: "These Indians know that for certain, and you told me you had not been in the country more than a few months."

But still Blunt persisted; he pointed out that one man's life was nothing to the risk the whole force ran; that if he was lost it would not affect one single soul; and that he was perfectly certain he could find the track. At last Colonel Maitland consented, though with immense reluctance, and Blunt started on his perilous journey. He had not over-estimated his powers, but to the intense astonishment of all, re

joined the column in little over the time it would have taken him to traverse the distance in broad daylight, bearing with him two huge and well-trimmed lanterns. The guide, after some little fumbling about, found the track to the island again, and the column once more resumed its march. The delay, however, frustrated Colonel Maitland's intention of attacking the rebels before daybreak, and there was a little light when he arrived within musket-shot of the beach of Pelée. However, he managed to conceal his force behind the hummocks of ice, just out of range in case of discovery, before the enemy were aware of his presence, and detached two companies of the 32nd regiment, with 25 men of the volunteer cavalry, to proceed, by the western side of the island to the south or American end, so as to place the enemy between two fires, and force them to fight. With this detachment went Strangways and Blunt, as knowing best the geography of the island; and by reason of keeping about two miles from the shore, they managed to creep round and take up a strong position behind some ice-banks on the south, before they were observed. It was then broad daylight. The men were ordered to pile arms and take off their great-coats; while they hastily swallowed the breakfast ration each soldier carried with him.

"I

CHAPTER III.

BETWEEN FIRE AND WATER.

SAY, Eustace, we have done these blackguards nicely, haven't we? Got them in a regular trap from which there's no escape."

"H'm; I'm not so sure of that." Eustace was not a soldier, and he failed to see the state of affairs in the same sanguine light as did his friend, who was in high spirits as he seemed to scent an approaching battle. Eustace had been dull and gloomy ever since they left Colchester—a gloom, or despondency rather, that he could not shake off, try how he might: "I'm not SO sure of that. My own opinion is we, here, are in the trap."

"Pooh, nonsense! Haven't we got them between two fires? They must fight, and they are sure to be jolly well licked."

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Again I say, I'm not so sure of that. I'm no coward, but I confess I think our position the worst of the two. The Yankee has, as he said, two men. to every one of ours; he has splendid rifles to oppose to our old blunderboxes of muskets; he has a strong position in the woods and swamps; he has

cover right down to the water's edge, and we are standing here out on the open ice, with no shelter nearer than the hostile American shore, and are quite cut off from any support from our own people.

I don't like it."

"Hush, hush! You mustn't let people hear you. Besides, Maitland's six-pounders will soon rattle him out of the bush. We shall then tackle him here in the open, and gain another. glorious victory for Old England. Come, shake off that depression; it's unworthy of you, and look, as I know you are, a bold Briton!"

Strangways smiled at the enthusiasm of the other which was infectious, so much so that his spirits really did return in a great measure, and he looked far less darkly than before on the state of affairs.

But by this time it began to get late in the morning. Captain Browne, commanding the detachment our friends were with, and for whose march of nine miles down the length of the island ample time had been allowed, showed symptoms of anxiety. He made his men lie down behind the ice-banks out of reach of rifle-shot from the shore, going forward himself with one or two other officers, in hopes of either hearing or seeing something of the enemy. But there was nothing either visible or audible: not as

much as a single shot gave any clue to Maitland's whereabouts. Surely if he was advancing through the bush, as had been arranged, the sound of his cannon should be heard by now? It was very difficult to decide on what was to be done; so Browne took the wisest course by adhering strictly to the arrangement made, and staying where he was; sending, however, one of the Indian scouts attached to his little force into the bush fringing the shore, with orders to return instantly should he detect the faintest trace of the enemy.

The man crept away as stealthily as a fox dodging the hounds in a close covert. He was absent about an hour, when he returned with the information that the rebels were silently retreating through the wood, and must come out on the southern edge in the course of half an hour. Again a long pause of absolute stillness, until Blunt, who had dismounted, crept up to Captain Browne with the information. that he could see the rebels approaching. It was

true; in a few moments they arrived at the shore, and speedily detected the presence of the British, who, being out of range, were now ordered to stand up in their ranks, and prepare to engage.

"Can't think what the fellow's up to!" petulantly put Captain Browne, as he observed the rebels

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