Trust to your swords, keep close together, and
follow me. Forward!" and putting spurs to his horse, he dashed on. In
another minute he was up to the black mass; and striking right and left
with his sword, he quickly cleared a broad way for his companions, who,
following close at his heels, had scarcely to use their weapons. A few
shots only were fired at them, as the band apparently had but a small
supply of muskets or pistols. The trooper brought up the rear, and as
he saw the blacks attempting to close on him, quickly again drove them
back.

"On! on!" shouted the major, "make your horses breast the hill, and we
shall soon be under shelter."

Before the negroes had recovered from their astonishment the whole party
were up the hill, and the doors being thrown open by those within, who
saw their approach, they forced the horses up the broad steps into the
house. Here they were of course heartily welcomed by the planter and
his family.

His first question was for his daughter. "We have had dreadful reports
about Bellevue, that it was about to be attacked by the whole army of
insurgents; and I was on the point of setting off to assist our friends,
when those fellows down there made their appearance," said Mr
Pemberton, a portly, handsome-looking man with a bald head.

The major replied that he had done his best to place the house in a
state of defence, and, as no enemy had appeared, that he had come at the
request of Miss Pemberton to the relief of Walton, which it was also
reported was to be attacked.

"I am afraid, however, as the rebels have favoured us with a visit, that
the rumour with regard to Bellevue is also likely to prove true," said
Mr Pemberton, after warmly expressing his gratitude to Major Malcolm.
"But with your assistance we can easily beat off our assailants. The
house has stout walls, and we have, as you see, barricaded the windows
and doors. We are amply provisioned, and have a supply of ammunition,
so that we can hold out during a long siege should the insurgents
venture to remain in our neighbourhood, which is not, I think, likely.
But perhaps, major, as a soldier, you will think fit to look round the
house, and see if we have left any weak points unguarded."

"Very willingly," was the answer; and the planter led his visitor
through the building.

The front of the house was well fortified, but when they arrived at the
back premises Major Malcolm pointed out more than one place through