The Rajah's Fortress — page 185: what you’re looking at

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

1%4 THE RAJAH’S FORTRESS. CHAPTER XX. GOLIAH ROUTS THE FOR. “ THE dacoits have gained the courtyard. Into the house quick,” cried Forbes, leaping off the plat- form. A general rush was made, and none too soon, for the clatter of feet echoed from the court and a few stray shots were fired. They gained the house and looked into each others’ pale faces in the glare of the lamp. It was a clever trick on the part of the enemy, none could deny. The attack on the gate had been simply a ruse to attract general attention while all the while the main body of the foe was crossing to the point of the island. ‘It was a close shave,” said Forbes, wiping his face with one hand, while McGore bound up his wounded arm. ‘Hark! There goes the palisade,” cried Bolton. He was right. The smaller stockade surround- ing the house was driven inward on all sides with acrash and the house itself was almost at their mercy. Almost but not quite, for it had been built CONMUC WOO SS co