The Rajah's Fortress — page 63: what you’re looking at

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

54 THE RAJAH’S FORTBESS, CHAPTER VII. THE STRUGGLE ON THE ROCK. F Rom the foot of the rock came half a dozen rifle shots in quick succession, followed by loud explo- sions from two or three old muskets. Every man was ou his feet in an instant, and the soldiers poured out from the rear of the pagoda. Three of the sentries hurried up the steps and reported the landing of a large body of dacoits on rafts and boats. The fourth man had lingered behind to reconnoiter, and presently he made his appearance, breathless with excitement. “There are two or three hundred of them, cap- tain,” he said. “They came down to the rock on six big floats, and there are more behind. Half of them have landed already. The leader is a big fel- low with a shaven head, and a long gown.” “That is one of their priests,” exclaimed Guy. “ Doubtless the old duffer that lives in this very temple. If this is a religious crusade they are making, we must prepare for hot work. They imagine we are desecrating their idols, and as long COLUM 1OOO SS co