ng protected by the high wall before referred to; we therefore
divided our little garrison into two parties, one to each wing of the
building; the count heading one party, and confiding the direction of
the other to me. As our plans were complete, the count and I separated
on reaching the gallery at the head of the staircase, he going to that
part of the building which he had undertaken to defend; and I making the
best of my way to my own command.

On entering the saloon where my party was stationed, I at once went to
the nearest window to reconnoitre. The moon was by this time riding
high in the unclouded ether, flooding the scene with the soft effulgence
of her silvery beams, and rendering every object which was not obscured
by the black shadows of the trees as distinct as though it had been
daylight. Her brilliant disc was invisible from the front windows of
the chateau, she having by this time passed somewhat to the rear of the
building; and this of course gave us a very decided advantage, inasmuch
as it rendered it difficult for the attacking party to distinguish us at
the windows, while they were exposed in the full radiance of the
brilliant moonlight.

When I reached the window, the main body of the French had just joined
the smaller party, and had been halted. They presented a formidable
array, numbering, in my estimation, quite a hundred, all armed with
musket and bayonet; and I thought I detected among them a small party of
grenadiers. Three or four individuals, apparently officers, were
standing a little distance apart from the rest, and appeared to be
consulting together. They remained thus for about five minutes, when
their bugler sounded a parley; and one of the officers, separating
himself from the rest, advanced alone towards the chateau, displaying a
white handkerchief attached to his sword-point. On seeing this, Count
Lorenzo threw open the window immediately over the door, and stepped out
upon the balcony, also exhibiting a white handkerchief. The officer
continued to approach until he was within easy speaking distance, when
he halted, and exclaimed,--

"Once more, Count Lorenzo di Paoli, I call upon you to surrender
yourself. Resistance, as you must see, from the force under my command,
will be quite useless, and can only result in a needless effusion of
blood, which I assure you will be visited with the severest retribution.
Not on you alone, but also on all those who may be taken in arms