They paid no attention to me, and I kept as far away as possible.
The fire began--a quiet, steady fire, a shot at a time and in strong contrast to the rattle kept up from the surrounding jungle; but every shot must have told, as man after man who strove to climb that steep path fell.

It lasted only ten minutes, and then all was quiet again.
"The attack had failed, as I knew it must do, for two men could have held the place against an army; a quarter of an hour later a gun from the crest above spoke out, and a round shot whistled above our heads.
Beyond annoyance, an artillery fire could do no harm, for the party could be absolutely safe in the store cave.

The instant the shot flew overhead, however, Sivajee Punt beckoned to me, and motioned me to take my seat on the wall facing the guns.

Hesitation was useless, and I took my seat with my back to the Dacoits and my face to the hill.

One of the Dacoits, as I did so, pulled off the native cloth which covered my shoulders, in order that I might be clearly seen.
"Just as I took my place another round shot hummed by; but then there was a long interval of silence.