der his arm to
the breakfast-room, where he found his mother waiting, and Master
Pawson, who looked very pale, in conversation with her.

"Good-morning, Roy," he said. "I congratulate you upon the accession to
the strength of the garrison. The men are all in the highest spirits,
and full of praise of the gallant way in which you drove the enemy
back."

"Then I shall have to undeceive them, Master Pawson," replied Roy, as he
joined his mother at the table. "It was in the dark, and they could not
see. All Ben Martlet's doing from beginning to end."

"I'm afraid you are too modest," said the secretary, smiling, as Roy
began his breakfast with a splendid appetite. "And tell me," he
continued, anxiously--"I ought not to ask, perhaps, but I take such
interest in the proceedings--you will not listen to any proposals for
surrender, even on good terms, which may come from the enemy?"

"What capital ham, mother," said Roy. Then turning to the secretary: "I
wouldn't have listened to any proposals for surrender without those ten
men, Master Pawson. When all the guns are disabled and the powder done,
and nearly everybody wounded, I won't surrender; for you'll put on a
helmet and back-piece then, and come and help the maids throw down
stones upon their heads, and--yes, we shall have to use the
machicolations then; but it shall be hot water for the enemy, not hot
lead. The women can manage the boiling water better than the metal.
Surrender! Bah! I say, sit down and have some more breakfast. I'm too
busy to talk."

"Ah! what a spirit you have," cried the secretary, with a look of
admiration in the lad's face. "But you are right. No surrender upon
any terms; and if you talk much more like this, Roy, you will inspire
me. I, too, shall want to fight, or at least help to load the guns."

"I hope you won't," thought Roy; "for I'd a great deal rather you would
stop away."

Ten minutes later he was buckling on his sword, without a trace of the
last night's emotion visible on his countenance.

"I'll go down to the great gate," said the secretary. "You will join me
there?"

"Yes, directly. But I say, Master Pawson, I hope you managed to make
shift at your new bedroom."

"Don't mention it. I shall be all right.--For the present, Lady
Royland!" And the secretary left the room.

"No surrender, Roy, my boy."

"No, mother; and--and--last night, I--"

"Was tired out, and no wonder. No--hush! Not another word. Som