d Gascoigne to Easy, "for
what else can we do?"

"Do?--get on the roof and fight there, then," replied Jack.

"By-the-bye, that's well thought of, Jack," said Gascoigne. "Mesty, up
and see if there is any place we can retreat to in case of need."

Mesty hastened to obey, and soon returned with a report that there was a
trap-door leading into the loft under the roof, and that they could draw
the ladder up after them.

"Then we may laugh at them," cried Jack. "Mesty, stay here while I and
Gascoigne assist the ladies up," explaining to the Rebieras and to their
domestics why they went.

Easy and Gascoigne hastened to the signora and Agnes, conducted them up
the ladder into the loft, and requested them to have no fear; they then
returned to the defences on the stairs, and joined their companions.
They found them hard pressed, and that there was little chance of
holding out much longer; but the stairs were narrow, and the assailants
could not bring their force against them. But now, as the defences were
nearly destroyed, although the convicts could not reach them with their
knives, they brought up a large supply of heavy stones, which they threw
with great force and execution. Two of Don Rebiera's men and Don Martin
were struck down, and this new weapon proved most fatal.

"We must retreat, Jack," said Gascoigne, "the stones can do no harm
where we are going to. What think you, Don Philip?"

"I agree with you; let those who are wounded be first carried up, and
then we will follow."

This was effected, and as soon as the wounded men were carried up the
ladder, and the arms taken up to prevent their falling into the hands of
their assailants, for they were now of little use to them, the
ammunition being exhausted, the whole body went into the large room
which contained the trap-door of the loft, and, as soon as they were up,
they drew the ladder after them. They had hardly effected this, when
they were followed with the yells and shoutings of the galley-slaves,
who had passed the last barriers, and thought themselves sure of their
prey: but they were disappointed--they found them more secure than ever.

Nothing could exceed the rage of Don Silvio at the protracted resistance
of the party, and the security of their retreat. To get at them was
impossible, so he determined to set fire to the room, and suffocate
them, if he could do no otherwise. He gave his directions to his men,
who rushed down for straw, but i