ndy-and-water which she had mixed for him, "Why, what have
you there? A shooting iron?"

"Of course. You don't suppose I was going to leave my gun behind when
we are in a state of siege, do you?"

She carried a double-barrelled breech-loader--rifle and shot cartridge--
and there was a warrior flash in her eyes visible in the moonlight,
which told that she meant to use it, too, if occasion required.

"It is very lonely for you, watching all by yourself," she continued.
"I thought I would come and keep you company."

"So like you again. But look here, Marian dear. You must not be
exposed to danger. Single-handed I can make such an example of the
_schepsels_ that they'll probably turn and run. Still, they might let
fly a shot or two. You will go back to the others if I ask you--will
you not?"

Her heart thrilled tumultuously within her. In the darkness she need be
at no pains to conceal the tell-tale expression of her face. Ah, but--
his tones, though affectionate, were merely brotherly. That might be,
but still, whatever peril he might undergo, it should be her privilege
to share it--her sweet privilege--and she would share it.

"No; I will not," she answered decisively. "I can be as cool as any one
living, man or woman. Feel my hand; there is not a tremble in it." And
her fingers closed round his in a firm, steady clasp, in which there was
nothing nervous, nothing spasmodic.

"I believe you can," he answered, "but I was thinking of your safety."

"_My_ safety!" she interrupted. Then in a different tone, "How do you
suppose they'll come, Renshaw? Walk openly to the house or try to creep
up in the shadow?"

"The last. You see they showed their hand by tackling me upon the road.
Yet they may think I've turned in and bothered no more about it.
Hallo!"

"What is it?"

"I could have sworn I heard something. I've got long ears--like a
donkey, you will say."

Both listened intently, the woman with less eagerness, less anxiety,
than the man. There was a kind of exaltation about Marian to-night.
Her nerves were as firm as those of her male companion himself; and the
certainty of a bloody conflict was to her, in her then frame of mind, a
mere matter of detail.

"Ah! I thought I was right," he went on, as a premonitory "woof" from
one of the dogs lying around the house was followed by a general
uprising and clamour on the part of the whole lot. Then, baying
savagely, they started off in fall char