of the lines.

In wanton rage at his defeat, Prince Maurice fired red-hot balls and
bars of twisted lead into the town; but no farther attempt was made to
capture it, and the following day his army was in full retreat, he
having heard that the Earl of Essex with a large force was marching to
the westward. Altogether upwards of two thousand Cavaliers lost their
lives in front of our earthworks.

To us that last day was the saddest of all. By our father's desire,
Audrey and Margaret had taken up their abode in the house of Mr
Kerridge, as our own was greatly exposed. Lancelot and I had been
endeavouring to ascertain what was taking place, when he saw bright
flames ascending from the direction of my father's house.

We hastened toward it. Our worst fears were realised. Already every
part was burning, while red-hot shot and cannon balls kept ever and anon
plunging into the midst of it, preventing the possibility of
extinguishing the flames. So dangerous was the position, that Lancelot
dragged me away, and accompanied me in search of my father, to whom I
wished to give the intelligence.

As the firing in front had ceased, we went on, hoping every now and then
to meet him. It was by this time getting so dusk that we could hardly
distinguish one person from another. As we approached the part of the
lines where my father was generally posted, we met a person hurrying
towards us. He was Martin Shobbrok.

"Alack, alack! young gentlemen, I have bad news to give you," he said.
"I am hastening for a stretcher on which to carry the captain home,
though I fear much it will be but his lifeless body."

"Where is he?" I asked, in an agony of sorrow. "Take me to him."

"I remained with him where he fell till a surgeon camp to bind up his
wounds, but from what he said I fear the worst," answered Martin.

Hurrying on, I soon reached the spot where my dear father lay, as Martin
had told us, attended by a surgeon.

He knew my voice, but his eyes were already growing dim. Pressing my
hand, he whispered--

"Ben, I am about to be taken from you, but I have fallen in a righteous
cause; may you never fight for another. And remember, my boy, do your
duty in the sight of God, and never fear what your fellow man may say or
do to you."

"I will, father," I answered, bursting into tears. "Is there no hope?"
I asked, finding that my father did not again speak. The surgeon shook
his head. Ere many minutes had passed, my kind,