captain as
he hastily ran his eye along the barricade, which till that moment had
been concealed from himself and comrades, by the semi-darkness and a
profusion of flowering vines.

The darkness and silence of death seemed to reign within: yet each one
of the little garrison was at his post, looking out through a loophole,
and covering one or another of the foe with his revolver, while with his
finger upon the trigger, he only awaited the word of command to send the
bullet to its mark.

Young Horace found it hard to restrain his impatience. "What a splendid
opportunity his father was letting slip! why did he hesitate to give the
signal?" For, perhaps, the first time in his life, the young man thought
his father unwise.

But Mr. Dinsmore knew what he was about; blood should not be shed till
the absolute necessity was placed beyond question.

A moment of suspense, of apparent hesitation on the part of the raiders,
then in stentorian tones the leader, stepping back a little, called;
"Edward Travilla!"

No answer.

An instant of dead silence; then the call was repeated.

Elsie shuddered and hid her face, faltering out a prayer for her
husband's safety.

Still no reply, and the third time the man called, adding, with a volley
of oaths and curses, "We want you, sir: come out at once or it'll be the
worse for you."

Then Mr. Dinsmore answered in calm, firm tones, "Your purpose is known;
your demand is unreasonable and lawless, and will not be complied with;
withdraw your men at once or it will be the worse for you."

"Boys!" cried the leader, turning to his men, "up with your axes and
clubs, we've got to batter down this breastwork, and it must be done!"

With a yell of fury the hideous forms rushed forward to the attack.

"Fire!" rang out Mr. Dinsmore's voice in clarion tones, and instantly
the crack of half a dozen revolvers was heard, a light blaze ran along
the line of loopholes, and at the same instant a sudden, scalding shower
fell upon the assailants from above.

Several of them dropped upon the ground and as many more threw away
their clubs, and ran screaming and swearing down the avenue.

But the others rallied and came on again yelling with redoubled fury;
while simultaneously similar sounds came from the sides and rear of the
dwelling.

The scalding shower was descending there, also; Uncle Joe and his
command were busy, and bullets were flying and doing some execution,
though sent with less cert