to expose your
lives. I promise you that if you can render service to the cause you
shall be employed; and you must all three give me your words that you
will remain where I place you, and not come forth until you are sent
for."

Very unwillingly Lancelot and Dick and I gave the promise exacted from
us, though we were more content when my father took us to the church,
and told us that we might remain in the tower, whence, as it overlooked
the greater portion of the lines, we could see through a narrow loophole
what was going forward.

He then returned to the post which he, with Martin Shobbrok, an old
follower of his in many a voyage, had undertaken to keep. He had
directed me, should the enemy get into the town, to run home and try to
protect my sister from insult, and our house from plunder. "Though I
may never return, my boy, should the Malignants force an entrance, yet
you, Ben, will, I trust, live to become a man, and serve our country
either on shore or afloat," he said in a grave tone, which showed,
however, no signs of fear. I often afterwards thought of his words, and
prayed that I might fulfil his expectations.

We had not long taken up our position in the tower before we saw the
Cavalier forces moving down the slopes of the hill. One party advanced
towards our outposts at Hayes Farm, and then attacked Colway House, at
which their great guns commenced a furious fire, wreaths of white smoke
filling the calm air. Presently the two little garrisons returned the
salute with right goodwill.

Then we caught sight of them rushing at full speed towards our lines;
and good reason they had to move fast, for, following them close, came
horse and foot in battle array, with trumpets sounding, drums beating,
lances in rest, pikes at the charge, and swords flashing in the bright
sunlight. The enemy halted, however, when still at a distance, and a
herald advanced, who blowing a blast on his trumpet summoned the town
instantly to surrender.

Colonel Blake, mounting on the ramparts, answered in a loud tone, which
reached our ears--

"Not while we have men to fight, or breastworks to defend the place.
Go, tell the Prince who sent you that such is our resolve."

Shaking his fist at the town, the herald wheeled round his horse and
galloped off.

But a short time elapsed before the trumpets sounded a general charge,
and the infantry rushed impetuously forward towards the lines, hurling
immense numbers of hand-gre