Were we to raise a semicircular wall behind the gateway, such a thing could not occur again," the governor said.

"Of course, there would be a gate in the inner wall, but not immediately behind the outer gateway as, if so placed, it might be destroyed by the cannon shots that battered the outer gate in.

I should, therefore, put it at one end of the inner wall.

This gate would be generally open, but in case of a siege I should have it blocked up with stones piled behind it, placing a number of ladders by which men, running in, could get on to the walls, and, however closely they were pursued, could make a stand there until the ladders were pulled up." "That would be an excellent idea," Surajah said gravely, "and I will certainly lay it before the sultan.

I suppose you would propose the same for the other fort ?" "Just the same." "The only thing that I would observe," Dick said, "is that, if an enemy once got a footing on the top here, you could not hope to make a long defence of these forts." "That is so," the governor agreed.