"
"And my cousin, my uncle!" shrieked the unhappy girl, as
the officer now bore her rapidly down the back staircase.
"Oh, ask me not!" exclaimed Baynton: "were I to linger
again on all I have witnessed, I should go mad. All, all
have perished! but, hark!"
A tremendous yell now bursting from the passage, announced
at once, the triumph of the savages in having effected
an entrance into the bed-room, and their disappointment
at finding their pursuit baulked by a second door.
Presently afterwards their heavy weapons were to be heard
thundering at this new obstacle, in the most furious
manner. This gave new stimulus to the exertions of the
generous officer. Each winding of the staircase was
familiar to him, and he now descended it with a rapidity
which, considering the burden that reposed against his
chest, could only have been inspired by his despair. The
flight terminated at a door that led directly upon the
rampart, without communicating with any of the passages
of the building; and in this consisted the principal
facility of escape: for, in order to reach them, the
savages must either make the circuit of the block-house,
or overtake them in the course they were now following.
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