en assailants. The colonel and his officers hurried off
instantly to the defences. Madeline trembled; even Mrs Tarleton turned
pale. Several shots found their way into the room where we were. The
shouts of the assailants grew louder; the bullets fell thicker and
thicker. A bright glare burst forth. One of the out-houses had caught
fire. Two wounded men were brought in and placed on the ground. Mrs
Tarleton and her niece knelt down by their sides. I assisted.
Madeline, I observed, had ceased to tremble while employed in her work
of mercy. One poor fellow soon ceased to breathe; he had been shot
through the lungs. The other groaned heavily; the haemorrhage was
internal. I soon saw that their efforts to aid him were of little
avail. He quickly joined his companion in another world. For a minute
or more there was a cessation of the attack: then it began again with
greater fury than before, and the bullets came pattering against the
walls like hail, many finding their way into the room. I seized Mrs
Tarleton's hand, exclaiming--

"Come, madam! no woman should remain thus unnecessarily exposed."

Madeline took her other hand, and together we led her through the garden
to the place I had prepared for their reception.

CHAPTER TWELVE.

THE AMERICANS OVERPOWERED.--SPINKS ASSISTS US TO ESCAPE.--CROSS RIVER.--
REACH WASHINGTON'S CAMP.--INTERVIEW WITH THE GREAT CHIEF.--MRS. TARLETON
FINDS HER BROTHER, COLONEL HALLET, WOUNDED.--MY STAY IN THE CAMP.--AN
AFFAIR OF OUTPOSTS.--FAREWELL TO MADELINE.--QUIT THE CAMP, ACCOMPANIED
BY SPINKS.--AFTER MANY ADVENTURES REJOIN THE TENDER.

Madeline and I endeavoured to hurry along Mrs Tarleton, but she
appeared totally insensible to the dangerous position in which she and
her niece were placed. Several bullets came whizzing by us, but she
kept her head as erect as would the oldest veteran. I had almost to
drag her on, and I was very thankful when at length we reached the door
of the building unscathed. I had told Lieutenant Spinks where to find
us, should he wish to communicate with the ladies.

In spite of his wound, he had joined in the defence of the place. Not
so Caractacus and Sambo. When we entered, I saw two bundles among the
piled-up turnips and potatoes. I gave a kick at them, and out tumbled
our two sable attendants.

"Oh, ki, massa, is dat you?" exclaimed the first, springing to his feet.
"Come along--dis no good place for any wise man. We get across de