"_Caramba_! you will not?
Take aim, men--fire." A jagged flash of flame cleaved the night.

It lit the steep bank, flinging a bright glare across the dark waters.

In that instant I saw, my face set shoreward, a dozen black figures clustered in a bunch.

One ball crashed into the planking close beside my hand, hurling a splinter of wood against my face.

The boat gave a sudden tremor, and, with a quick, sharp cry of pain, the negro next me leaped into the air, and went plunging overboard.