The Rajah's Fortress — page 182: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE RAJAH'S FORTRESS. 171 Bolton shouted to summon assistance, and as the foremost man reached the center of the tree Forbes picked him off with his rifle and down he went into the dry bed of the lake. Bolton skill- fully dropped the man behind, and McGore and the savage joining in on the next round, the advance of the enemy was partially checked, and they delivered a return fire from the rock that fortunately did no harm. They were preparing for another rush, and Forbes saw that they would probably gain the ledge by simple force of numbers. What was to be done? His recent experience told him only too well what they might expect if they fell into the power of these cruel-hearted wretches. And as far as his own case went, Mel- ton could not but realize that the fact that he had once escaped from their clutches would add zest to the savage glee which would greet his recap- ture. If the tree could only be dislodged, and as the thought entered his mind he nerved himself to a desperate determination. Springing down from the platform. he entered the house and seized an axe that he had seen standing in the corner. Rushing out he unbarred the big gate before any one could move a finger to prevent him. The flexible crest of the tree was rammed in the shape of a bow against the palisade, and bend- ing down he began to hack with the axe at the COLUM 1OOO SS co